Aerospace Defense Forum

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“What the A&D Industry is learning from Automotive”

“What the A&D Industry is learning from Automotive”northrup-f-25-assembly-line

Orange County Chapter meeting on October 6

Many of the large A&D contractors are changing the way they do business to better compete in the increasingly competitive Defense market.

Please join us in Irvine on Thur, Oct 6, 7:30– 9:00am PDT (networking at 7:00am), when Ryan Blanchette, Director, Supply Chain and General Manager, Mexico operations, Cobham Advanced Electronics Systems, will discuss how the automotive business processes are influencing the changing landscape at Cobham from organizational/hiring enhancements to advance quality planning, strategic sourcing and cost modeling. Ryan will also comment on the impacts of FAR, DFAR and ITAR in Cobham’s daily business.

The meeting is free for members & $40 for non-members ($30 until Sept 29). Click here to register to attend the meeting

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The Orange County chapter is sponsored by D.A. Davidson & Co., Moss Adams, and Hein & Associates.

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“Strategy: Is It Time for a Gut-Check?”

Strategy-Small“Strategy: Is It Time for a Gut-Check?”

San Diego Chapter meeting on September 27

Are you frustrated by the plateaus you have reached with your business and just can’t seem to figure out how to get to the next level?

Please join us on Tuesday, September 27 (networking: 5:30-6:15pm, meeting: 6:15-7:45pm PST), when Timothy Gendreau and Susan Wayo of The Gendreau Group will take us through a “Strategic Gut-Check”, which will have you begin to view your business and strategy through a different lens. In this presentation, you will learn what strategy is and what it is not. You will be provided with valuable insights into revenue and growth strategy support and gain a better understanding as to the:
• Failures of Strategic Thinking
• Failures of Strategy Development
• Failures of Strategy Execution

The A&D Market over the last thirty to forty years has been very dynamic with many changes to structure, companies and business models.

In this current era of sequestration, budget uncertainties and shifting priorities; how we define strategy, how we can look at strategy, and the consequences of poorly conceived or poorly executed strategies will ultimately determine the rate of our growth or our decline.

Benefits of attending:
• Understanding the difference between strategy and planning
• Understanding the 5 critical questions for any business strategy
• Learning the difference between obstacles and roadblocks
• Beginning to understand how to grow revenues from existing technologies, products, services and markets
• Get an idea how much money your company is leaving on the table

The meeting is free for members & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until September 20). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsdsep16.eventbrite.com.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The San Diego chapter is sponsored by Moss Adams, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, LevitZacks, and Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton.

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Airshows: How to successfully navigate the “Flying Circus”

Airshows: How to successfully navigate the “Flying Circus”Airshow picture

Dallas-Ft. Worth Chapter September 8 meeting

The excitement and overwhelming circus of airshows and global supply chain events can be a daunting task for anyone. Participation at these events is a critical success factor for any business, but determining your company’s costs, participation, and preparation in order to maximize your return is too often overlooked. Expectations can fall short without proper preparation and the return on your investment may appear a waste, resulting in diminished interest in future events, ultimately resulting in missed opportunities to further develop your crucial business relationships.

Learning how to define your objectives and, sufficiently preparing for and conducting meetings are just a few elements of effective airshow strategy. Too often the participant shows up on the first day, unsure what to expect, with a logistical nightmare of overbooked meetings, only to be late to half, no-shows for the other half, and unable to call the customer/supplier because the phone service disconnected halfway through the morning coffee rush.

Airshows and supply chain events are typically described in one of two ways: (1) the amazing experience with successful meetings and champagne filled receptions, or (2) the dreadful horror stories of logistics nightmares, hours-long waits to get back to the hotel, and soaking wet shoes resulting in a week’s worth of blisters, with mediocre-at-best meetings where it seems that you’re not getting anywhere…

How can you make your experience more of the former and less of the latter?

Please join us in Arlington on Thursday, September 8, (networking at 7:00am, meeting 7:30–9:00am), when Michael Shields, Vice President, Safran North America Purchasing will share a recap of lessons learned, guidance and recommendations from his years of experience working in Purchasing and Supply Chain and attending countless airshows and events – for the before, during and after – to help make these events throughout the year a meaningful part of your business, and to maximize your investment when attending these air shows.

The meeting is free for all. For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfdfwsep16.eventbrite.com.

Click here for more information about and to join The Aerospace & Defense Forum.

The Dallas-Ft. Worth Chapter is sponsored by BellNunnally and the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI).

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Getting Up Close and Personal – Tales of Water/Waste Systems

“Getting Up Close and Personal – Tales of Water/Waste Systems”Lavatory Door with question mark
A Tour of Zodiac Water & Waste Aero Systems

Aerospace & Defense Forum Meeting in Carson, CA on September 14

Have you ever wondered what happens with water and waste during your flight? Is waste discarded into the sky? How are water and waste systems on aircraft maintained so that passengers can fly comfortably? Well, you’re not the only one. Grab your bags (and some hand sanitizer) as we take you through the bowels of the aircraft’s water and waste systems.

Join us in Carson on Wednesday, September 14, 7:30am – 9:00am, when David Conrad (Zodiac Aerospace Water & Waste) will show us how good water and waste systems play a pivotal role in ensuring a positive passenger experience. So sit back, enjoy the ride and find out what really goes on behind-the-scenes and the truth behind lavatory urban myths and legends!

The meeting is free for members (exclusive access until Aug 24) ($40 for non-members, $30 Early Bird). Advanced registration is required. For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfsbsep16.eventbrite.com. Registration is limited to 25 attendees and closes Sept 7, 7:30am.

Click here for more information about and to join The Aerospace & Defense Forum.

The South Bay Chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams, Community Bank, and California Manufacturing Technology Consulting.

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“Enabling a New Way of Doing Space”

“Enabling a New Way of Doing Space”Brane-Craft--space-debris.

Los Angeles Chapter meeting on August 19

The current momentum of the space industry is being led by the NewSpace startups, and the impact of this growing segment reaches all aspects of the space industry. As a non-profit company, The Aerospace Corporation has a unique role between the government and industry, and is supporting government agencies as they learn of the implications of NewSpace while also enabling these new companies to grow and achieve success. Aerospace also has its own research laboratories, and demonstrates technologies through its AeroCube satellite program.

Please join us in Los Angeles on Friday, August 19, 2016, 7:30am – 9:00am PDT (networking at 7:00am), when Dr. Jenny Gautier, Director of Commercial Programs, The Aerospace Corporation, will talk about the commercial space industry as seen from the perspective of a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC).

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until August 12). For more information and to register to attend the meeting in person or for free via the web, go to https://adflaaug16.eventbrite.com.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The Los Angeles chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams, CohnReznick, Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Mitchell, the 62 Mile Club, and UK Trade & Investment.

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Farnborough 2016 International Airshow: Impressions & Opinions

“Farnborough 2016 International Airshow: Impressions & Opinions”120713-FarnAirshow-AIR-PMW-020

Aerospace & Defense Forum Meeting in Torrance, CA on August 10

Expectations for Farnborough 2016 were limited – Brexit had passed, and despite dire predictions the UK will not flow away into the Atlantic; New Orders were not expected to be as robust as prior years; Key areas of discussion are expected to include the shortage of pilots, data requirements for airframes, and aircraft tracking.

Come and hear first-hand accounts from visitors who attended the Air Show.

The show featured the Airbus A350 XWB, the Boeing 737MAX and Lockheed’s F-35B Lighting II. But the real question is, “Why go to the largest Air Show in the world?” What can one get out of the Air Show that helps your organization? Is the cost of attending worth the expense?

Please join us in Torrance on Wednesday, August 10, 2016, 7:30am – 9:00am PDT (networking at 7:00am), when David Conrad (Zodiac Aerospace Water & Waste), Trevor T. Bohn (Salem Partners) and David Patterson (Moderator) (Aerospace Manufacturing & Engineering) will address these and other questions.

Attendance is open to all. The meeting is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until August 3). Advanced registration is required. For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfsbaug16.eventbrite.com.

Click here for more information about and to join The Aerospace & Defense Forum.

The South Bay Chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams, Community Bank, and California Manufacturing Technology Consulting.

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“Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Has Arrived!”

“Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Has Arrived!”how-additive-manufacturing-works.story

Orange County Chapter meeting on August 4
(live webstream available)

Please join us in Irvine on Thur, Aug 4, 7:30– 9:00am PDT (networking at 7:00am), when Scot Thompson, West Area Account Manager, EOS of North America and Ivan Madera, Founder and CEO, Morf3D, will be looking at the game changing opportunities that Additive Manufacturing provides, equipment, methods to qualify, who is using it, what are the factors that affect growth, and what is the market potential today and forecasted. Also, should you be concerned if your competition were to invest in AM first?

The meeting is free for members & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until July 28) (attending via the web is free). Click here to register to attend the meeting

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The Orange County chapter is sponsored by D.A. Davidson & Co., Moss Adams, Hein & Associates, and UK Trade & Investment.

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“A Perspective on Working with SPAWAR”

“A Perspective on Working with SPAWAR”SPAWAR1

San Diego Chapter meeting on July 26

As the Navy’s Information Dominance systems command and technical lead for C4ISR, the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) provides the hardware and software to connect our warfighters at sea, on land and in the air. SPAWAR supports the full lifecycle of product and service delivery from the initial research and development, to acquisition and deployment, to operations and logistics support.

Please join us on Tuesday, July 26 (networking: 5:30-6:15pm, meeting: 6:15-7:45pm PST), when SPAWAR Director of Contracts, Nancy Gunderson provides an overview of SPAWAR, the SPAWAR budget, economic impact data specific to San Diego and an overview of the current contracting environment.

Companies currently providing capabilities to SPAWAR or companies looking to work with SPAWAR will benefit from attending this special SPAWAR event.

The meeting is free for members & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until July 19). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsdjul16.eventbrite.com.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The San Diego chapter is sponsored by Moss Adams, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, LevitZacks, and Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton.

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Tour of Virgin Galactic Long Beach

Tour of Virgin Galactic Long Beachlauncherone

Aerospace & Defense Forum Los Angeles Chapter Meeting on July 15

Virgin Galactic, the privately-funded space company, leases a 150,000 square foot facility in Long Beach that houses design and manufacturing of the company’s small satellite launch vehicle, LauncherOne.

LauncherOne is a new two-stage orbital launch vehicle being designed by Virgin Galactic specifically to launch commercial or governmental satellites that weigh 500 pounds (225 kilograms) or less. Much like SpaceShipTwo, the company’s reusable vehicle for space tourism, LauncherOne is designed to be launched from the WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft, giving customers the ability to avoid crowded and expensive launch ranges while also picking the launch location best suited for their mission.

Please join us in Long Beach on Friday, July 15, 2016, 8:00am – 10:00am for a tour of this exciting facility.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until June 24). Non-US citizens are welcome. Registration is required and closes 8am July 1. For more information and to register to attend the tour go to https://adflajul16.eventbrite.com.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The Los Angeles chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams, CohnReznick, Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Mitchell, the 62 Mile Club, and UK Trade & Investment.