Conference on the Future of Aviation Held in Prague with CzechInvest in Attendance

28 Apr. 2014 | CzechInvest | The Czech Republic hosted the ASD Aviation Convention for the first time. Leading experts discussed the competitiveness of European aviation companies.

Participants in the annual ASD (AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe) convention concurred that skilled workers and self-sufficiency in resources comprise one of the paths to Europe’s prosperity and competitiveness in the aviation industry. This year’s conference focused on the challenges and opportunities of the aviation sector and on finding a common strategy for the coming year. Representatives of European aviation associations, businesspeople and politicians met in Prague to discuss these issues. CzechInvest was the bronze partner of the event.

“Participation in events of this type is fundamental for CzechInvest. Our goal is to remain always at the centre of events in sectors with high value added and not simply to wait with our arms folded for someone to request our assistance,” says Ondřej Votruba, acting CEO of CzechInvest. “The aviation industry has a long tradition in the Czech Republic and brings not only new jobs, but also key impetus for advancement of local research and development.”

The three-day conference began with the Young Professionals Forum, which was focused on employees of aviation firms up to the age of thirty and the routes by which young people’s ideas reach company management. The second day was dedicated to debates in so-called Knowledge Cafés, where experts, businesspeople and politicians came together in moderated discussions. The first block of discussions was introduced by European Commission representative Philippe Brunet, who also took part in a discussion on the topic of structural funds. The third day featured roundtable discussions on the competitiveness of the aviation industry and its needs within the EU, as well as on the necessity of global cooperation among aviation companies.

The ASD convention is an annual event. This year it was held in Prague from 23 to 25 April, thus making the Czech capital the first city in the countries that joined the European Union in 2004 to host this important event.