PNAA: The Power of Showing Up
By Nikki Malcolm — Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA)
As we marked 25 years of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance, I found myself paying less attention to any single slide or statistic and more attention to the room itself. Who showed up. How people listened. The conversations that continued in hallways long after sessions ended.
This year’s conference did not feel like a victory lap, nor did it feel like an industry in crisis. It felt like a community taking a breath together.
Aerospace has always been cyclical, but the past several years have tested even the most seasoned organizations. Workforce shortages, supply chain disruption, geopolitical tension, inflation, and relentless demand have created pressure at every tier. Coming into this anniversary year, the question was not whether aerospace would continue to grow, but whether we could grow in a way that was sustainable, connected, and human.
From the opening moments, the tone was clear. Aerospace remains a backbone of our regional economy and a global industry by nature. What happens here in the Pacific Northwest ripples outward, and what happens globally lands directly on our factory floors. That reality framed the conversations that followed, not with bravado, but with responsibility.
Throughout the first day, discussions about production recovery and supply chain stability kept circling back to the same idea — progress is collective. No airplane is built by one company. No recovery happens in isolation. The work underway across the supply chain is not flashy, but it is meaningful. It is about rebuilding trust, stabilizing demand signals, and making systems work better together.
What struck me most was how often humility came up, sometimes explicitly, sometimes implied. Listening more. Slowing down when needed. Empowering people closest to the work to speak up and make decisions. In an industry known for precision and engineering rigor, there was an equally strong emphasis on culture and relationships.
Analyst perspectives reinforced that we are in a moment of opportunity, but also constraint. Demand remains strong across commercial, defense, and space. Backlogs are deep. Investment continues. At the same time, workforce challenges, supply bottlenecks, and global uncertainty are shaping what growth actually looks like in practice. The message was not pessimistic, but grounded. Growth without alignment creates fragility. Growth with collaboration creates resilience.
That sense of realism carried into the second day. Conversations with Tier 1 manufacturers focused less on headline production rates and more on readiness, integration, and shared accountability. There was a clear recognition that earlier engagement, better communication, and more honest feedback loops benefit everyone in the ecosystem.
A session with Portal Space Systems reminded us that even as aerospace expands into new frontiers, the fundamentals remain the same. Scaling responsibly, managing risk, and building reliable supply chains matter just as much in orbit as they do on the ground. Space may feel new, but it is already deeply connected to the same manufacturing base, workforce, and infrastructure we rely on today.
Updates from Boeing reinforced a theme that had already taken hold; recovery is not just technical, it is cultural. Safety, reliability, and disciplined processes are not abstract values — they are lived behaviors. Hearing that message echoed openly and repeatedly, mattered. It signaled a willingness to be transparent and a recognition that trust is rebuilt through action over time.
Panels on interiors and advanced manufacturing explored how innovation is changing the way work gets done. Automation, AI, and digital tools are becoming more prevalent, but not as replacements for people. Instead, they are reshaping roles and increasing the need for highly skilled workers who can maintain systems, interpret data, and adapt quickly. Technology, at its best, supports people. It does not sideline them.
One of the most meaningful moments of the conference came during a panel on leading through uncertainty. In a room full of leaders accustomed to having answers, there was an openness about not always having clarity. Decisions are being made in imperfect conditions. Tradeoffs are real. The common thread was not certainty, but steadiness. Staying connected to teams. Being clear about values. Making the best decision possible and adjusting when needed.
Across both days, what stayed with me was the sense of community. This conference was not about hype or sweeping declarations. It was about showing up for one another — about acknowledging where we are and committing to move forward together.
We also took the time to celebrate those who came before us with a gala for the 25-year anniversary to celebrate the founders and folks who have helped this organization become what it is today.
After 25 years, the Pacific Northwest aerospace community is still evolving. The challenges ahead are real, but so is the strength of this ecosystem. In a time defined by pressure and possibility, choosing to gather, listen, and collaborate may be the most important work we do.
A sincere “thank you” to everyone who joined us for ADVANCE 2026. You are what make this community strong!
