Quebec Aerospace Delegation Visit to Ohio | May 19–23, 2025
As a committed partner in building Ohio’s aerospace and defense industrial base, Parallax Advanced Research and The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) were proud to support JobsOhio as they led a trade mission with delegates from Quebec across Ohio—spanning Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton. The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral ties, expand market access, and foster collaboration between Quebec companies and key stakeholders across Ohio’s advanced manufacturing and aerospace and defense sectors.
Facilitation and Coordination – Cleveland Meetings
Parallax/OAI played a supporting role to JobsOhio and Team NEO in the development of a Cleveland business engagement program, where delegates engaged in business meetings with leaders from the City of Cleveland, the City of Brook Park, the City of Mentor, Cuyahoga County Mayors & City Managers Association, Aerozone Alliance, Parker Hannifin, , Akron-Canton Airport, and several aerospace companies located in region – Embraer and Steiner Aviation. These sessions were structured to maximize opportunities for supplier engagement, regional market insight, and introductions to innovation assets in Northeast Ohio. Anthony Gillespie, Director of Strategic and Technology-Based Partnerships and Technology Transfer Office at Parallax/OAI, participated in these meetings and helped to frame opportunities in the Cleveland region for follow-up in supply chain collaboration.
Strategic Engagement – Columbus Trade Forum and Academic Exchange
In Columbus, the Parallax/OAI team provided logistical support surrounding the Quebec–Ohio Trade Breakfast Forum. This included coordination with JobsOhio, One Columbus, and presenters from Joby Aviation, and the Quebec Ministry of Economy. Together, we organized an event that provided attendees information on state-wide aerospace priorities and Quebec’s complementary strengths in eVTOL and advanced air mobility technologies.
Kevin Chambers, Managing Director, Military & Federal, Logistics, Distribution, and Supply Chain, presents JobOhio and the Ohio advantage to attendees.
The day continued with the delegation visiting the first science park devoted to space research and manufacturing, the George Washington Carver Science Park (GWCSP) located at The Ohio State University, where discussions focused on R&D partnerships. The evening concluded with a networking event with Ohio’s business and community stakeholders hosted by the French American Chamber of Commerce.
Technology and Defense Sector Alignment – Dayton Activities
Dayton engagements involved a Lunch and Learn event hosted at Parallax’s headquarters where briefings on U.S. federal procurement and aerospace solicitations were provided by regional leaders from Parallax, the Dayton Development Coalition, JobsOhio, and National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE). The Quebec delegation was introduced to leading institutions like Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) and NAAMCE, which provided a foundation for future partnership exploration.
The delegation also participated in networking events at the Digital Transformation Center and the Dayton Development Coalition reception, which fostered dialogue around digital manufacturing, aerospace R&D, and NATO-aligned economic opportunities. This coordination helped position Quebec companies to better navigate U.S. defense sector channels and business collaboration with Ohio businesses.
Theodore Angel, Executive Director, National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence, providing an Overview of NAAMCE
Michael Gessel, Vice President, Federal Government Programs at Dayton Development Coalition, presentation topic an overview of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Anthony Gillespie, Director of Strategic and Technology-Based Partnerships and Technology Transfer Office at Parallax/OAI presents an overview of Federal Aerospace Solicitations: Key Opportunities, Procurement Processes, and Implications for Industry Partners.
Conclusion
Throughout the visit, Parallax/OAI served as a behind-the-scenes consultant to JobsOhio by coordinating between Quebec delegates, Ohio institutions, and Ohio’s regional economic development agencies. By facilitating introductions, contextualizing opportunities, and supporting engagement logistics, we helped ensure a productive mission with strong foundations for future collaboration.
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About Parallax Advanced Research & The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI)
Parallax is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. With offices in Ohio and Virginia, Parallax aims to deliver new solutions and speed them to market. In 2023, Parallax and OAI formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and for the nation. OAI plays a pivotal role in advancing the aerospace industry in Ohio and the nation by fostering collaborations between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations, and managing aerospace research, education, and workforce development projects.