No fewer than 50 American aerospace companies are exhibiting here at FIDAE 2002 in the U.S. Pavilion in Hall G.

The marketing program put together by Kallman Worldwide, organizer of the Pavilion, takes advantage of a number of business and social opportunities to enhance the exhibiting experience of the firms, both at Los Cerrillos Air Force Base in Santiago, and at several venues around the capital city.

"FIDAE has become the not-to-miss event in Latin America," says Kallman president and CEO Tom Kallman. "It continues to be a major marketplace for companies and products in the fields of civil and commercial aviation, defense, aircraft security, aircraft maintenance, and equipment."

In addition to the pavilion itself, encompassing almost 20,000 sq. ft., several U.S. exhibitors are showing airplanes on the static line including Bell, Cessna and Gulfstream.

A number of briefings and social gatherings will also enable the Americans to better appreciate the Latin American market and to meet prospective customers.

A Wednesday evening VIP reception on behalf of the U.S. exhibitors, with the American Ambassador in attendance, will be held at the La Enoteca Restaurant in the hills high above Santiago.

On Thursday a breakfast briefing on "Doing Business in Latin America" will be conducted by the Embassy commercial and military staff. Both events are sponsored by Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.