Summit to focus on jet jobs

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, September 6, 2011

The state’s aerospace industry will take center stage during an event later this month.

The date for the sixth annual governor’s aerospace summit has been set for Sept. 14 and 15. It will be held at the ShoWare Center in Kent. Organizers for the event say attendance of this year’s conference

is especially important for the region’s aerospace companies.

“There’s just so much going on,” said Linda Lanham, director of the Aerospace Futures Alliance, an industry group that oversees the event on Gov. Chris Gregoire’s behalf. “I think it’s really important that (aerospace companies) be there so they can get all the facts.”

The summit takes place a little more than a week before the Boeing Co. delivers its first 787 jet. Both Boeing and its rival Airbus are increasing jet production, putting pressure on their suppliers here in the Puget Sound area.

“Companies are starting to hire,” Lanham said, noting that the summit will offer information sessions about training for companies.

The governor’s conference is one of dozens of aerospace-themed activities taking place around the country from Sept. 11 to 17 for National Aerospace Week. The week was created to highlight the importance of the industry not only in Washington state but also in the United States. Here in Washington, the industry employs more than 87,000 workers, according to the latest report by the Employment Security Department.

Despite the large concentration of aerospace companies and workers, state leaders are concerned about keeping aerospace work in Washington. Earlier this year, Gregoire organized an effort aimed at landing the Boeing Co.’s 737 re-engined jet line. That will be one of the topics covered at the governor’s summit.

Suppliers will convene for an expo Wednesday afternoon. Boeing will present its market outlook as well as its expectations in terms of supplier quality and performance that day. Lanham emphasized the need for companies to attend both days of events.

“It really is a two-day conference,” she said.

On Thursday, Gregoire will deliver the keynote address. Other speakers that day include Lanham; Boeing’s Pat Shanahan, general manager of airplane programs; and Tayloe Washburn, who is leading the governor’s attempt to secure future 737 work.

For more information about the governor’s summit, visit the Aerospace Futures Alliance website: afa-wa.com. For more on National Aerospace Week, go to www.nationalaerospaceweek.org.