Northwest Aerospace News February | March Issue No. 13 | Page 65

WELCOME TO ADVANCE / 2020
On behalf of our Board of Directors, welcome to PNAA
Advance 2020, our 19th Annual Aerospace Conference.
The theme this year is: Plug into Potential – Harnessing
Opportunity in Aerospace.
We’re witnessing unprecedented levels change and
uncertainty in the aerospace industry recently with shifts
and trends becoming more evident over the past year.
What’s driving these trends? Where’s the opportunity?
What are the challenges?
Harness the knowledge you need to gain valuable insight
and plug into potential by being aware of the trends that
are driving the marketplace. Aerospace companies that
are getting ahead are those that are seeing windows
of opportunity and positioning for them. This year’s
conference will deliver the information you need to take
advantage of these trends and grow your business now and
into the future.
PNAA Advance 2020 builds on previous years of providing
valuable content by featuring speakers from aerospace
companies who are new to the conference along with
leading industry analysts sharing their insights on the
current marketplace. Also, industry keynote speakers will
be providing insight on their expectations for the future. A
new element this year is break-out tracks featuring hand-
picked manufacturers who will provide their experiences
on issues of importance to SMEs. The speakers will provide
practical tools and tips for businesses to try out following
the conference. We are also showcasing exhibit areas both
upstairs and downstairs with vendors highlighting their
latest in technology and industry service providers who
can take your business to the next level of success. We are
confident that you will enjoy the experience.
It’s been a busy year and PNAA has developed significantly
over the past 12 months. Along with expanding the
conference, the organization has grown with new
staff members who care about the local aerospace
manufacturing community and industry, and new and
valuable programs. PNAA listened to what the industry
asked for and created: Next Generation Leadership
Symposium that taught a variety of practical leadership
skills to help companies advance next generation of
leaders of all ages, maximizing their engagement within the
business; Building Your Aerospace Business that brought in
experts to teach smaller SMEs business essentials and how
to build a solid foundation from which to grow; and finally,
Diversity - It’s Good for Business, which created a vibrant
forum for people to have personal and open discussions
about different aspects of diversity and the benefits a
diverse workforce brings to the work environment.
PNAA also continued with its
hallmark networking events and
conferences: The Women in
Aerospace Conference soared
to new heights, increasing both
in size and content with many
influential speakers; our quarterly
New and Expanding Technologies
(NExT) programs delivered
information on next generation
manufacturing technologies
such as additive manufacturing,
robotics, IoT and digital factory
solutions; and the Northwest
Aerospace Defense Symposium,
a collaborative effort with local
partners.
Brian Canfield
CEO/Executive
Director
We reached out internationally to support global aerospace
events: Aerospace, Defense & Security Expo; Abbotsford
Air Show (Canada); Paris Air Show; and Aviation Forum
(Germany); and locally in support of complementary
organizations’ events: I-90 Aerospace Corridor; CAMPS;
PNDC; AIAC-Pacific; AFA and others.
PNAA has become increasingly active with events that
support workforce development, STEM Education and
inspirational activities to encourage our next generation
of young aerospace manufacturing professionals. We were
pleased this year to support activities such as the LEAF
STEM Challenge (by Starfish Education and The Lindbergh
Foundation), SME Annual Conference, and the PNW AIAA
Technical Symposium. It’s been exciting to be part of
aerospace manufacturing’s future!
As PNAA looks toward our future, we will continue to
deliver programs that are tailored to your needs. You are
the reason we are here, and we will continue to seek your
feedback as we develop new events to help you grow and
develop your aerospace companies.
We’re eager to share our journey through 2020 with you
and the aerospace manufacturing industry.
Brian Canfield
CEO/Executive Director
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT FUTURE EVENTS.
PNAA ADVANCE / 2020
FEBRUARY 2020 | MARCH 2020 ISSUE NO. 13
FEBRUARY | MARCH 2020 ISSUE NO. 13
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