Shannon had a great day out at Shannon Expo '97 last week. Jobs, training, funfair rides and acrobatic aerial displays were all on the menu and the public's response was enthusiastic, with every venue was packed throughout the day. At a trade and recruitment fair, exhibitors took in CVs at a great rate. In these days of growing shortages of people with high-tech qualifications, some of the company representatives were visibly heartened by the interest expressed in their openings.
The second-level students wandering around the fair, presumably contemplating their career choices, must have been more than happy to hear that the 20 exhibitors between them would have 1,000 jobs coming up over the next three years.
Long-established companies such as Aer Rianta, Boart Longyear, De Beers, Shannon Circuit Technology and Tellabs were there in force along with recent Shannon start-ups such as Consolidated Financial Insurance and Partners in Europe. The Galway and Limerick universities, Limerick RTC and the Shannon College of Hotel Management flew the educational flag.
The fair was held in the Shannon Leisure Centre in Shannon town. Up the road in the shopping centre there were family entertainments such as a fashion show, live music and a funfair for the younger children, who clearly did not have jobs on their mind.
Meanwhile, on the Shannon Free Zone nearby Molex, Shannon Aerospace, Shannon Aircraft Motor Works, Raychem, World scope and other companies opened up their doors to the public, and FAS held a careers exhibition.
Over at the airport, those attending the aviation display were fascinated to be able to board the world's biggest transport plane, an Antonov 124 belonging to Volga Dnepr, a Russian cargo company which has offices in the Free Zone. Such is the size of this craft that it can swallow up armoured tanks or railway carriages with ease.
Overhead, there were displays by the Air Corps Silver Swallows acrobatic team and others. Special guest Olympian Michelle Smith de Bruin sat in a cockpit or two, much to the crowd's delight.
Those taking the specially organised airport tours were the first to see the scale model of the planned terminal building.
Gardai had a difficult job controlling the long line of cars between the various venues.
Shannon Expo '97 was organised by Aer Rianta Shannon, Shannon regional branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Shannon and District Chamber of Commerce, Shannon Development and several sponsoring companies to showcase the town, airport and free zone.