Meeting Notices - Arizona

Apache Helicopter Tour

AZ Chapter meeting in Mesa on May 10

Meeting location: The Boeing Company, 5000 E McDowell Rd., Mesa, AZ 85215
Meeting Date: Thursday, May 10, 2018
Meeting Time:
7:00-7:30am: Registration, Networking, Breakfast
7:30-9:00am: Meeting & TourThursday, April 12

The desert close to Mesa, AZ frequently pulses with the sound of Apache attack helicopters as the intimidating machines are put through their paces after emerging from the Boeing production line.

On May 10, 7-9am, join the Arizona Chapter of the Aerospace & Defense Forum on a rare tour of the Boeing Mesa facility, located on the edge of Falcon Field Airport where manned and unmanned rotorcraft roll off the assembly lines each day.

Tickets are limited to 15 people. You must be a U.S. citizen or active green card holder to gain entry to the site (proof of a legal right to work in the U.S.).

The meeting is free for A&D Forum and AZTC members (exclusive access until April 25) & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until May 2). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfazmay18.eventbrite.com.  Registration closes Wednesday, May 9, at 7 PM.

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

The Arizona Chapter of The A&D Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams and National Bank of Arizona.

Aerospace Industry Luncheon & Panel

A Unique Aerospace & Defense Event

AZ Chapter meeting in Phoenix on April 12

Meeting location: Flinn Foundation,
1802 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Meeting Date: Thursday, April 12
Meeting Time: 11:30am-1:00pm

Please join us on Thursday, April 12, at the Flinn Foundation for a panel discussion on recent, promising and unique aerospace industry activities in Arizona. Topics will include the Spaceport project, UAS Innovation Center, industry & academic collaboration, and growing drone service operations.

Panelists are Arnaldo Soto, Benjamin Hernandez, Lynn Spencer, and Paul Brierley.

The meeting time is 11:30am-1:00pm and includes networking and lunch. The meeting costs $25 for members of the A&D Forum, Arizona Technology Council, and Aerospace Arizona. The meeting is $50 for non-members. For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfazapr18.eventbrite.com.  Registration closes Monday, April 9, at 12 noon.

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

The Arizona Chapter of The A&D Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams and National Bank of Arizona.

“IRIDIUM: PAST – PRESENT and NEXT: The Future of Global Communications”

AZ Chapter meeting in Phoenix on March 23

In a world where global communications on land, at sea and in the skies are increasingly critical, Iridium operates the world’s largest commercial constellation, with a mesh architecture of 66 cross-linked Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites plus spares. The Iridium NEXT project augments the original system capability.

Despite overwhelming odds the Iridium team threw away virtually every standard practice in the space industry, created new models for manufacturing and mega-project management, produced a satellite a week, put 72 satellites in orbit in 13 months and completed the $5B system on schedule and on budget.

Please join us on March 23 (a change from our normal meeting date), 7:30-9:00am, when Durrell Hillis, (Ret) Senior Vice President and General Manager, Motorola’s Systems Solutions Group (SSG), and author of “The Creation of Iridium” will share his thoughts and passion documenting the creativity, hard work, and dogged determination by a talented team of Motorola employees working in the Arizona desert to launch the world’s first global satellite phone system resulting in one of the great technological achievements of our time.

In addition, David Cubbage, Senior Member of the Technical Staff, Iridium NEXT Satellite Production, will provide insight into the Iridium Next program that is replacing the original Iridium constellation after a system lifetime lasting more than10 years beyond the expected. This larger Iridium® ecosystem includes over 300 value-added partners who leverage the company’s unique network to manufacture, develop, market and support innovative applications for a variety of different markets and industries.

Join us and learn how you can be part of and contribute towards enhancing the global communications network.

The meeting is free for members ($30 for non-members until March 16, $40 thereafter). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfazmar18.eventbrite.com.

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

The Arizona Chapter of The A&D Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams and National Bank of Arizona.

“A&D Family-Owned Businesses: Surviving the Test of Time”

AZ Chapter meeting in Phoenix on February 9

In the Aerospace and Defense world, the words “Family-owned business” often conjure up an image of mom-and-pop, small-scale operations. While it is true that most family businesses are small businesses, about a third of the Fortune Global 500 companies are founder or family controlled.

Over 80% of private companies in Arizona grossing over $5 million in annual revenue are family-owned. Family-owned businesses are a very important part of the A&D activity hence the economy and they face some critical hurdles in the years ahead, especially in the area of owner succession. Two thirds of all private businesses are owned by “baby boomers,” the oldest of whom are now reaching their mid-seventies and with retirement, are pushing Arizona into what could be characterized as a “transition crisis.”

Please join us on February 9 (one day later than our normal meeting date), 7:30-9:00am, when Mr. Randal Breaux, President, Family Business Tycoon, will drill down on the special challenges that family-owned business owners face and what they can do to beat the odds – build enduring companies that provide the foundation for some of tomorrow’s greatest American families. It will include case studies with specifics on avoiding liquidation, driving business value, and creating wealth.

The meeting is free for members ($30 for non-members until February 2, $40 thereafter). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfazfeb18.eventbrite.com.

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

The Arizona Chapter of The A&D Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams and National Bank of Arizona.

Aerospace & Defense M&A Outlook for 2018

AZ Chapter meeting in Phoenix on January 11

Industry 4.0, automation, additive manufacturing, cyber-physical systems, the Internet of things, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and cyber-security are firmly at center stage for the Aerospace and Defense industry. What is the outlook in an era where innovation, increased efficiencies and cost reduction remain paramount?

Join us on January 11, 7:30-9:00am, when John Farr, Managing Director & Partner at Columbia West Capital, will discuss the latest forecasts and engage on projected trends to deliver the latest market intelligence on transformations within the A&D sector. John brings an array of experience and depth of knowledge in many disciplines and multiple industries from extensive deals with large Wall Street firms to hands-on senior management experience with successful mid-sized companies and Fortune 500 Corporations.

A must-attend event for C-Suite Executives, Strategic Planners, Business Development and other management professionals to take a hard look at what 2018 has in store for the industry.

The meeting is free for members ($30 for non-members). Register at adfazjan18.eventbrite.com.

The meeting is free for members and guests ($30 for non-members). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfazjan18.eventbrite.com.

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

The Arizona Chapter of The A&D Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams and National Bank of Arizona.

A Tour of Universal Laser Systems
A Laser Focus to Material Processing in A&D

AZ Chapter meeting and tour in Scottsdale on November 9

The past two years have seen industrial lasers outperform the machine tool sector, with solid single-digit growth in annual revenues. A surge in excimer laser processing of new model smartphone displays, expanding laser additive manufacturing of aircraft engine components, and significant rises in micro processing using ultrafast-pulse are major examples of growth segments. Industrial lasers are key components in automated material processing systems. As the manufacturing sector turns more toward Industry 4.0 and the IoT, shifting from centralized to decentralized manufacturing, production methods need to automatically adjust to fluctuating supply chain demands. State-of-the-art processing equipment, controlled by sensors and computers on the Internet, are now being implemented, and lasers, by their very nature, will likely be the adaptable energy source of choice.

Join us in Scottsdale on Thursday November 9 for a presentation and tour of Universal Laser Systems, Inc. who is leading the charge with a solely owned, custom-built, state-of-the-art engineering and manufacturing facility in Scottsdale where they manufacture both lasers and laser systems. Following the presentation, Universal will provide a tour of their laser system manufacturing floor as well as a series of laser material processing demonstrations.

The meeting is free for members and guests ($30 Early Bird for non-members, $40 after November 2). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfaznov17.eventbrite.com.

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

The Arizona Chapter of The A&D Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams and National Bank of Arizona.

“Grow Your Aerospace & Defense Business in Arizona and Beyond:
A Panel Discussion on State, Institutional and Industry Insights”

AZ Chapter meeting in Phoenix on October 19

Join us in Phoenix on Thursday October 19 for a full panel discussion on how to get more aerospace and defense business, the state of the industry in Arizona, available tools and resources.

1. Industry: Trends and Technology Roadmaps – Finding and Doing Business with Primes – Best Business practices for success

2. Financing: With a focus on ways of obtaining financing rather than specific programs (sales pitch) – Access to capital, loans, guarantees and insurance – Conventional Bank Lending into the A&D industry – Letters of credit, import/export from a banking perspective – Trade Credit Insurance and the ExIm Bank

3. State and Export Assistance: Grants – Subsidies – Incentive Programs – Resources

4. Tools and Resources: City and Local State Economic Development Programs and Support

The meeting is free for members and guests ($30 Early Bird for non-members, $40 after October 12). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfazoct17.eventbrite.com.

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

The Arizona Chapter of The A&D Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams and National Bank of Arizona.

“Today’s Star Wars Missile Defense System”

AZ Chapter meeting in Phoenix on September 14

Do you remember the reference to STAR WARS missile defense in the Reagan era? Do you know what STAR WARS missile defense really entails? Wouldn’t you like to know what the US Government and the Aero Space contractors have been working on to keep us safe from unfriendly nations? With all the unrest in the world today (especially now), wouldn’t you like to know what is protecting you and your family and how it works?

Join us in Phoenix on Thursday September 14, 2017 when Jim Nolton, President of Nolton Enterprises and CEO of Novocryo will tell you about the US layered missile defense system as it pertains to unfriendly offensive Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) and how the system works.

This presentation will give you an inside look at the weapon system like you’ve never seen before. It will focus on and show actual footage on the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Rocket, the Exo-Kinetic Kill vehicle payload, and what happens the instant it impacts an unfriendly rocket in space.

Multiple A&D companies contribute directly or indirectly to the systems, sensors, radar and weapons that comprise the GMD. Find out where and how your company fits into the big picture.

The meeting is free for members and guests ($30 Early Bird for non-members, $40 after September 7). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfazsept17.eventbrite.com.

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

The Arizona Chapter of The A&D Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams and National Bank of Arizona.

“Land The Next A&D Contract –
Winning Business in the digital era”

AZ Chapter meeting in Phoenix on August 10

The traditional mix of GOOD ADVERTISING, GOOD VALUES, and GOOD PRODUCTS is no longer enough in a 21st-century world of an ‘always on’ marketplace. A huge marketing budget is no longer enough to take advantage of existing marketing channels and A&D companies increasingly have to re-skill and tailor new strategies to reach their customers.

The digital age and newer communication channels have altered how businesses market themselves and their products. Small businesses can have just as much power and reach as larger established companies on a now leveled playing field.

Join us in Phoenix on Thursday August 10, 2017 when Kyle Davis, Owner and Partner. BDN Aerospace Marketing will discuss the realities of today’s A&D marketing and branding challenges providing insight on the challenges, success stories and opportunities that the new era presents to businesses.

The meeting is free for members and guests ($30 Early Bird for non-members, $40 after August 3). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfazaug17.eventbrite.com.

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

The Arizona Chapter of The A&D Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams and National Bank of Arizona.