I-90 AEROSPACE + CONFERENCE RECAP
Innovation & Ingenuity was the theme of the 2024 event , and many speakers discussed space and workforce opportunities .
The I-90 Aerospace Corridor Conference & Expo is an annual manufacturing conference held at the Coeur d ’ Alene Resort after Memorial Day . Mark Norton , executive director of NIMA Alliance , and the Coeur d ’ Alene Economic Development Council ( CDA EDC ) host the conference . Both groups , along with sponsors , are proud to bring this high-quality event to the region . The event provides networking , trade show opportunities , and new industry content .
Norton said , “ Eastern Washington and North Idaho are showing exponential growth in manufacturing for aerospace , space , biotech , and energy management . The conference is a great venue to tell the story of the collaboration between industry , public , and private sectors fueling this boom .”
Mark Norton
Executive Director , Northwest I-90 Manufacturing Alliance Principal , Norton Strategic Consulting mnorton @ nimalliance . org 509-954-8781
NW I-90 Manufacturing Alliance
This year , newcomer John Davenport , owner of CpK Metrology of Redmond , Washington , came to the conference to show off his metrology equipment . Davenport also brought two business-related suppliers - a machine rep from LK Metrology , Inc . and a metrology software rep from Prolink . Davenport said he came to the event to “ bring CpK Metrology ’ s expertise to a broader market . Exciting things are happening in the aerospace and medical industries in the greater Spokane region that CpK Metrology can help grow .”
His reaction to the conference was that it was a friendly and collaborative community of manufacturers working in the education sector . He added , “ It ’ s a real model for a successful future .”
Norton observed “ great engagement in the trade show and networking events .” He said that most companies return year over year , which “ tells me that we provide value .”
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