New “USA Partnership Pavilion” expected to boost U.S. participation and corresponding interest in U.S. suppliers among buyers attending DSA next April in Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Abu Dhabi, UAE - Two international trade event leaders today announced their partnership to expand opportunities for American suppliers to help countries in Southeast Asia modernize their defense and internal security forces. Organizers of Defence Services Asia (DSA), one of the world’s most influential security events, signed Kallman Worldwide, Inc., organizer of the USA Partnership Pavilion at trade events in eight industries on six continents, as the official United States’ representative of DSA 2018. The announcement took place at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), which is underway in Abu Dhabi. DSA, a showcase for state-of-the-art equipment, products and services, is hosted, supported & co-organized by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence, Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysia Police in partnership with other government and private sector stakeholders. The 16th annual edition will be held April 16-19, 2018, in the new Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Kallman’s USA Partnership Pavilion will be America’s headquarters at the show: a destination for buyers looking for an efficient way to meet a critical mass of U.S. suppliers, an on-site business hub for U.S. exhibitors looking to maximize their exposure and time at the event, and a forum for all to share ideas and insights. “National defense budgets across southeast Asia are on the rise in response to growing threats from internal and cross-border terrorism and larger scale geo-political tensions,” said Kallman Worldwide President and CEO Tom Kallman. “We are proud to represent DSA in America because we believe U.S. suppliers are best able to help Southeast Asian countries broadly upgrade their land, sea and air capabilities. Whether as prime contractors and suppliers or subcontractors up and down the supply chain in support of Asian manufacturers, service partners and their end-user customers, American industry can help make Southeast Asia safer and more secure.” In 2016, DSA hosted 1,200 exhibitors and more than 40,000 trade attendees, including 300-plus delegations from 40 countries. Organizers expect to boost those numbers in 2018 with new exhibit areas and the expansion of professional conference sessions focused on global growth topics such as unmanned aerial vehicles and robotics, cyber security and combat medicine. “As countries across Southeast Asia look to modernize and defend their borders, it is important for our defense and homeland security decision-makers throughout the region to have access to the best equipment, products and services in the world,” said DSA General Manager Anita Jacobson. “DSA is established as the premier marketplace in the region for defense and security buyers and suppliers. We are excited and confident that the addition of the USA Partnership Pavilion organized by Kallman Worldwide will ensure increased American participation at DSA, and a corresponding interest in U.S. suppliers among our attendees.” In addition to organizing the national Pavilion, Kallman Worldwide will invite show attendees to visit U.S. exhibitors at DSA with its “Ask America” advocacy campaign. The message will be placed prominently on site, integrated into hospitality and VIP events during the show, and highlighted in social media (follow on Twitter @kallmanEWC). “Connecting U.S. suppliers with buyers from around the world is what makes the Pavilion a distinct destination,” Kallman said. “That’s why our message to visitors at DSA is, ‘Ask America,’ because we’re listening. The United States is committed to our partners and investments in Southeast Asia, we bring smart ideas and innovation to the table, and we have the best-skilled professionals ready to do the work.”