Envisioning Tomorrow’s Aerospace Supply Chain at the 2024 PNAA Conference
The 2024 Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA) Conference, held from February 5th to 8th in Lynnwood, Washington, centered around the theme “Beyond Limits: envisioning tomorrow’s aerospace supply chain.” This event brought together industry leaders, experts, and innovators to discuss the future of aerospace in an energetic and community-oriented atmosphere.
The keynote speakers highlighted the current industry landscape, marked by a shift from demand-driven to supply-driven outputs and how those changes are affecting each level of the supply chain. Emphasizing collaboration and a back-to-basics approach, these discussions set the tone for an industry poised to transcend its current limitations.
Panel Discussions: Industry Perspectives
There were multiple panels at the conference discussion that allowed for differing perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that the industry is facing. The youth panel provided unique insights into the aspirations and expectations of the next generation. Another key panel offered supplier perspectives on vertical integration and risk mitigation, reflecting the complexities and evolving nature of the aerospace supply chain.
Technological Innovations and PNW Aerospace Ecosystem Opportunities
A focal point of the conference was the multitude of emerging opportunities that are being developed to support the long term success of the PNW Aerospace Cluster — such as the AAMMC Tech Hub, poised to drive material innovation for next-generation aircraft manufacturing; the hydrogen hub and the players driving this technology to support sustainable aviation; and the work being done in the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Cluster through the Innovation Cluster Acceleration Program. All these opportunities symbolize the conference’s theme, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aerospace.
Boeing’s Contributions and Vision
Boeing played a significant role as the leading sponsor, providing multiple speakers, focusing on quality, supply chain, community, and innovation. Their emphasis on foundational quality and transparent communication about supply chain difficulties highlighted the need for industry-wide collaboration to navigate current challenges.
B2B Meetings and Opportunities
The final day of the conference featured B2B meetings, fostering an environment for forging new connections and business opportunities. These meetings were a testament to the conference’s commitment to creating real-world opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Networking and Collaboration
The conference excelled in providing networking opportunities, creating an atmosphere conducive to deepening existing relationships and forming new partnerships. This aspect was crucial in building a sense of community and shared purpose among participants.
Awards and Sponsorship Dinner
On Tuesday night of the conference, PNAA held an awards and scholarship dinner where we gave four awards: Company of the Year to JEMCO Components & Fabrication; Executive of the Year to Deloit Wolfe; Inspire Award to Pathfinder Manufacturing and the Chair Award to Skills Inc. for all of the work that they have done to elevate the PNW Aerospace Cluster in 2023. There was a celebration of scholarships and the opportunity that scholarships represent. PNAA has given over $393,000 in scholarships since the program began. These scholarships provide financial support to students that are pursuing a career in the aerospace industry.
Overall Experience
The PNAA Conference was a vibrant and community-centric event, focusing on the future of the aerospace supply chain. The discussions, panels, and networking opportunities all served to embody the conference’s theme, looking beyond current limits to envision a collaborative and innovative future in aerospace.
Conclusion
The 2024 PNAA Conference was a landmark event, not just for the insights shared but for the collaborative spirit it fostered. As the aerospace industry faces new challenges and embraces future possibilities, this conference has set the stage for a future where limits are transcended, and innovative collaborations shape the aerospace supply chain of tomorrow.
PNAA would like to say a huge thank you to all of the attendees, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors that were part of making this a successful event!
If you’d like more information about becoming a part of this incredible community, go to www.pnaa.net.
By the numbers:
550 Attendees
271 Companies
7 Countries
30 States
