Milipol 2017: US, Canadian companies pitching innovation and partnership.

U.S. and Canadian defense and security companies look to strengthen partnerships with buyers and influencers across Europe during Milipol Paris 2017 November 21-24 in Paris. The biennial business event, the most comprehensive of its type in the region, is expected to draw more than 25,000 trade visitors from nearly 150 countries.

U.S. and Canadian defense and security companies look to strengthen partnerships with buyers and influencers across Europe during Milipol Paris 2017 November 21-24 in Paris. The biennial business event, the most comprehensive of its type in the region, is expected to draw more than 25,000 trade visitors from nearly 150 countries.

More than 60 companies from either the United States or Canada are exhibiting a wide range of innovative technologies, equipment and services at the show. The cross-section of leading manufacturers and suppliers includes FLIR Systems and Smith & Wesson.

Two-thirds of U.S. and Canadian exhibitors at Milipol Paris 2017 can be found in the new USA and Canadian Partnership Pavilions, organized by Kallman Worldwide, Inc., in coordination with numerous government agencies, including the U.S. departments of Commerce, Defense and State. Kallman has organized U.S. companies at Milipol shows since the 1990s; this is its first organizing Canadian exhibitors. The new "Partnership Pavilion" banner is new, too, reflecting global trade trends, according to company President and CEO Tom Kallman.

"Now more than ever, success in international trade depends on partnership and teamwork," said Kallman. "Entering our third decade of organizing exhibitors at trade events in Europe, the new USA and Canada Partnership Pavilions sharpen our focus on helping advance national interests and security by building stronger relationships between the U.S. and Canada and their international customers. Many of our exhibitors — from publicly traded original equipment manufacturers [OEMs] to small- and medium-sized enterprises [SMEs] with fewer than 500 employees — already have significant business partnerships and operations in the region. In the years to come, many more will."

The 40-plus exhibitors in the Pavilions represent 19 states and two provinces, all looking to generate new business and create more jobs back home by growing exports, expanding in-region operations and/or recruiting overseas partners to establish or participate in home-based operations. Notably, the state of North Carolina, through its Economic Development Partnership, is organizing its own state-branded pavilion — featuring state-based co-exhibitors — within the larger U.S. space.

In addition to space on site, Partnership Pavilion exhibitors are featured in Kallman's online Milipol Paris 2017 Visitor Zone at kallman.com/milipol-paris-2017. The Visitor Zone features a centerpiece searchable Pavilion directory, plus interactive tools to connect interested industry professionals around the world to the show, even if they can't go.