Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance’s conference in Lynnwood features Boeing, Airbus speakers

Published 8:47 pm Sunday, January 24, 2010

What are the up-and-coming opportunities in the aerospace industry?

That’s what the participants of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance conference hope to find out. The event is Feb. 9 and 10 at the Lynnwood Convention Center. It’s the ninth conference hosted by the regional aerospace group.

“This conference is an outstanding opportunity for small to mid-sized aviation, space and defense suppliers to learn about the latest economic conditions and technological advances that impact our industry,” said PNAA chairman Kevin Steck, vice president of Composites Atlantic.

The two-day event features speakers from Airbus, the Boeing Co., EADS and Bombardier. Analysts Richard Aboulafia, with the Teal Group, and Scott Hamilton, with Leeham Co., also will participate.

The future of aerospace in Washington state has been a concern among industry and government leaders for the past several years. The state has paid for several studies about Washington’s competitiveness in the industry. Last legislative session, the governor established a council to review the major challenges that Washington’s aerospace industry faces.

Besides training and work-force issues, the state’s aerospace industry also needs to find ways to diversify and grow. Small and mid-sized aerospace companies in Snohomish County often lack the resources to market themselves at the international air shows. During the conference, suppliers can sign up for one-on-one sessions with large aerospace companies.

“Small companies need to play in the international arena,” said Bill King, aerospace business development manager for Washington state’s Department of Commerce. “The PNAA conference gives them a cost effective means to do so.”

Conference speakers such as Aboulafia will provide a look at the state of the aerospace industry as well as insights on where aerospace is headed.

“Attendees will walk away from this conference with valuable insight into the future of aerospace and ideas on how to best update their business plans,” Steck said.

The Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance came into existence about 10 years ago. The group, which lists hundreds of members, hosts frequent networking events in the Puget Sound area and works with similar aerospace alliances in the U.S. and Canada.

For more on the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance and its annual conference, go to www.pnaa.net.