PNAA conference: Innovate, collaborate, accelerate

This February, the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA) will reconvene for its 22nd Annual Conference, ADVANCE | 2023. The program will feature multiple topics directed at supporting suppliers with knowledge to help them navigate in a vastly changing aerospace industry. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), top industry analysts, and materials suppliers will present global market outlooks, supply chain updates, new technologies to support manufacturing, and more.

Nikki Malcom, PNAA’s CEO & executive director, explains what attendees and sponsors can expect.

Aerospace Manufacturing & Design (AM&D): What’s this year’s theme?

Nikki Malcom (NM): We chose three power words for the conference this year. Innovate, Collaborate, and Accelerate. We believe innovation and collaboration are necessary to accelerate our recovery and lay the foundation for another super cycle of success for the industry. We focus on supporting the aerospace manufacturing supply chain in navigating the changes we’ve faced and will continue to face in the coming years. We are seeing advancements in digital manufacturing methods, changes in workforce and workplace culture, consistent merger & acquisition (M&A) activity, new industry segments, and geopolitical variables. Our programs will tackle the tough challenges the industry is facing.

AM&D: Why attend the conference?

NM: This is a unique time in aerospace history where the maturation of new technologies is increasing the demand on the supply chain and workforce. For the industry to stay competitive and continue to advance, we must stay up to date on the changes and market outlooks to understand firsthand how others are successfully navigating these changes. Collaboration is going to be a key factor toward getting back to thriving, and this conference is an excellent opportunity to come together with your aerospace colleagues. Attendees from all across the world will convene at the conference to discuss industry changes and challenges. There’ll be ample time for connection through networking, B2B sessions, and receptions.

AM&D: Who are the presenters?

NM: Back by popular demand, market analysts Dr. Kevin Michaels and Richard Aboulafia of AeroDynamic Advisory will share their insights on where the aerospace market is headed. Over an action-packed three days, we’ll also host speakers from Airbus, Tier 1s, and other commercial aviation, space, and defense industries, including materials supply chain, as well as companies who have pivoted their businesses for success, and panelists covering M&A, geopolitics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

NM: First, register on our website and plan your agenda. You can fly into Sea-Tac Airport, or Paine Field, rent a car, or take Uber or Lyft to Lynnwood. Alaska Airlines now offers passenger flights to nearby Paine Field in Everett, Washington. Hotel block and other information is on the website.

About the author: Eric Brothers is editor of AM&D. He can be reached at 216.393.0228 or ebrothers@gie.net.