In a year unlike any other, Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA) continues to help lead the aerospace manufacturing industry in the northwest and for the first time will host their annual aerospace conference in an immersive virtual environment. In their 20th anniversary year, their goal is to continue delivering a premier conference, filled with top speakers from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), top industry analysts, and tier suppliers, where they will present global market outlooks, supply chain updates as well as practical tips and stories of inspiration of how companies have pulled through 2020.
Brian Canfield, PNAA’s CEO and Executive Director explains what attendees and sponsors can expect.
Aerospace Manufacturing & Design (AM&D): What’s this year’s theme?
Brian Canfield (BC): “Changing Our Flight Plan: Engineering the Road to Recovery” is designed to help aerospace manufacturers respond to the rapidly changing conditions in the aerospace manufacturing industry and provide them with the best knowledge to help manage through this next year on top. Company leaders are searching for information to help them plan, forecast, and set strategy on how they create the plan to maintain stability through the near future and prepare for when things rebound. Our speakers will be share what the near future holds, and you will hear tips from companies on how they have successfully dealt with the past year, which we believe will help companies take steps to create a plan forward to be productive in the year to come.
AM&D: Why attend the conference?
BC: Our conference will be completely virtual this year and we are setting the bar high with an engaging virtual platform that will allow attendees feel like they are almost attending in person. People will be able to engage in virtual events with avatars, real-time chat, and 2-way video. This year our Exhibit Hall and B2B Fair will be fully virtual, allow people to communicate easier than ever before and with greater schedule flexibility. Attendees will also be able to connect with one another in our Networking, First Class, and Media Lounges. Receptions and tours will also be virtual this year.
AM&D: Who are the presenters?
BC: The topics will be rich this year and we will have a great lineup of speakers, including past favorites and new speakers. Speakers will include market analysts Dr. Kevin Michaels of AeroDynamic Advisory and Richard Aboulafia of Teal Group who will share their insights on where the aerospace market is headed. This year we will once again have aerospace economist Ron Epstein of Bank of America, and for the first-time defense analysts Ron Stearns and J.J. Gertler. Others will include Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, Tier 1s, and other industry authorities throughout the three days. This year we will also have our SME Technical track, featuring detailed topics for production, quality, HR, and other specific functions.
AM&D: How can someone attend?
BC: First, register on our website and plan your agenda. This year on the virtual platform, you will be able to schedule meetings with buyers in our B2B Fair, decide which presenters you would like to listen to live, and if you miss a session on one of the two stages, you will be able to view it shortly after on the virtual platform. This is also a great platform to invite your industry peers and prospects to, as you will be able to meet in our virtual networking lounges. If you are interested in sponsoring or having a virtual exhibit booth, please reach out to our team on our website, http://www.pnaa.net.
“We are seeing great levels of change in aerospace right now, and to support the changing needs in the industry, PNAA continues to grow and help the industry remain in the forefront. PNAA has increased the number and type of events to inform, educate, and network with the latest companies and technologies, increasing regional competitiveness.” – PNAA’s CEO Brian Canfield
When: Feb. 8-11, 2021
Where: Virtual on our PNAA virtual conference platform.