By Nikki Malcom — Pacific Northwest Aerospace Association (PNAA)

As the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Association (PNAA) celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, it’s a perfect moment to reflect, not just on milestones, but also on the relationships, shared successes, and collective resilience that have defined our community.

From its start in 2000 with just a handful of dedicated companies, PNAA has grown alongside the Pacific Northwest’s aerospace cluster supporting suppliers of every size, creating opportunities to strengthen the workforce, and helping the supply chain stay strong in the face of challenges.

A Quarter Century of Growth and Resilience

What began as a grassroots effort by a few committed manufacturers has grown into a network representing more than 200 companies, academic institutions, and economic development partners across the Pacific Northwest.

Over the years, PNAA members have faced their share of turbulence, from post-9/11 slowdowns to global supply chain disruptions, but the region has kept moving forward. Together, we’ve shared insights, adapted to change, and sparked new ideas that have kept innovation alive. And at the heart of that progress has been PNAA’s role in bringing people together — OEMs, Tier 1s, and SMEs — to find common ground and common goals.

Collaboration in Action

PNAA’s signature ADVANCE Conference was born from that spirit in 2001. What started as a one-day workshop is now a multi-day global gathering, drawing aerospace leaders from every corner of the industry. Through panel discussions, technology showcases, and one-on-one matchmaking, ADVANCE has set the stage for new partnerships, supplier opportunities, and research collaborations.
But the real magic happens between the sessions, over coffee, in hallway conversations, and during evening networking events where a single introduction can lead to years of collaboration.
Elevating Every Voice

In 2014, PNAA introduced its first Women in Aerospace Conference, a dedicated space for women across manufacturing, engineering, and business to connect, share, and be seen. The program blends practical skills with candid conversations about career growth, sponsorship, and leadership, and importantly, welcomes allies into the discussion.

It’s become a place where introductions turn into mentorship, role models are celebrated, and companies discover new ways to build more supportive and inclusive workplaces. Like everything PNAA does, it’s about making sure every voice has a place in the conversation.

The Power of a Shared Anniversary

PNAA’s 25th anniversary is, at its core, about the people who make up this community. It’s the small but powerful moments that have made a difference:

• A capability review that opens a new door.
• A technology demo that sparks a joint project.
• A panel discussion that helps a company spot the next market shift.
• A first job that grows into a lifelong career.

For 25 years, the Pacific Northwest aerospace industry has moved forward by moving together and that’s a legacy worth celebrating.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate this milestone, PNAA’s eyes are firmly on the future. The way we serve our members is evolving, shaped by the needs of industry today and tomorrow.

One key focus is workforce development. PNAA recently launched Aerospace Connect, a workforce initiative designed to bridge the gap between employers, educators, and job seekers. By making it easier for people to explore careers in aerospace and for companies to connect with qualified candidates, Aerospace Connect helps ensure that our region has the talent it needs to thrive.

The Aerospace Career Hub, another major step in this initiative, is a go-to resource for both employers and job seekers in the Pacific Northwest aerospace industry. It creates clear pathways into aerospace careers while helping companies stand out to the next generation of talent.

Both programs are already making an impact and PNAA is committed to expanding their reach so that more people, more companies, and more communities benefit.

Moving Forward Together

Our first 25 years have shown what’s possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose. The next 25 will be built on that same foundation: connection, collaboration, and the belief that when one part of the supply chain thrives, we all do.

In celebrating this anniversary, PNAA is celebrating all of you, the companies, the employees, the partners, and the friends who make up this incredible aerospace community. The story of the past is one we’ve written together. The story of the future will be, too.