PARIS, France — The working team from the state of Alabama, which includes Governor Robert Bentley, Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield, and Commerce Assistant Director of Business Development Bob Smith, arrived at the Paris Air Show around 7 a.m. Paris time this morning for meetings with companies looking to expand or locate new operations in Alabama.

The group had 11 aerospace industry meetings planned, including visits with companies that already operate in Alabama such as Airbus, Lockheed Martin and Safran, as well as prospective companies. The day began with a briefing meeting for the team at the Made in Alabama booth.

The team then headed to a sit down breakfast with GKN Aerospace, which has operations in the Montgomery area. At the table with the Alabama team were Kevin Cummings, President and CEO of GKN Aerospace North America, Nigel Stein, Chief Executive of GKN PLC and Daniele Cagnatel, GKN Vice President Aerospace.