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Australian not-for-profit corporation AMDA Foundation has announced its largest ever attendance at the Indo Pacific 2023 International Maritime Exposition held earlier this month.
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The three-day event reportedly garnered more than 27,000 attendances (up from 25,000 in 2022) for the commercial maritime and naval defence exposition at International Convention Centre Sydney from 7 to 9 November.
The exposition welcomed 832 participating exhibitor companies and organisations from 21 nations, as well as 171 defence, industry, government and academic delegations from 46 nations including 25 international chiefs of navy or their counterparts and 21 representatives.
Justin Giddings, chief executive officer of AMDA Foundation – organiser of Indo Pacific 2023 – said the main success of Indo Pacific 2023 was the quality of engagement among all who attended, as well as the inaugural Navy Life Expo.
“The vibe around the halls was excellent and the exposure that Australian industry gained with both the Royal Australian Navy and international delegations was priceless,” Giddings said.
“I was in the Navy Life Expo several times, and it was very well attended, and obviously a great initiative.
“Another great highlight was the visit from acting Prime Minister Richard Marles and his commitment to engaging with industry on the floor.”
“(In addition) the Chief of Navy (Australian Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond) dedicated a great deal of time to talking with and listening to industry at Indo Pacific 2023.
“This direct engagement is critical to an understanding of the capabilities Navy seeks, and how industry may deliver them. We thank the Chief of Navy for his commitment in this area.”
The exposition hosted more than 90 conferences, symposia, and presentations across the three days.
“What I really like about Indo Pacific 2023 is the opportunity to talk to our industry partners, to introduce them to the men and women of the Royal Australian Navy and to find opportunities to strengthen and enhance our Navy’s capability which ultimately means we’ve got a much stronger Navy and a much stronger nation,” according to RAN Chief of Navy, VADM Mark Hammond AO.
Australian acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, who attended the expo, said there was an astonishing display of an array of capabilities from more than 800 international and domestic companies.
“Events of this kind are crucial, we’re seeing the collaboration between navies and industry which is so important,” he said.
Australian Minister for Defence Industry, Minister for International Development and the Pacific and the federal Member for Shortland Pat Conroy did not attend due to conflicting international engagements.
