Building Relationships for Success 

AeroOne, the premier aerospace conference presented by the Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (AIAM), is coming soon to downtown Rochester! This exceptional event will enable you and your team to learn about emerging industry perspectives, breakthrough technologies and make lasting connections to grow your business while networking with global aerospace executives. 

Global business leader, aviation champion to introduce panels on aerospace talent

ROCHESTER, Mich. — July 1, 2024 — The Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (AIAM) has announced that global business leader and aviation champion Dick DeVos will kick off day one of the third annual AeroOne summit on Sept. 4 in downtown Rochester, Michigan. The former CEO of Amway and the founder of the West Michigan Aviation Academy, DeVos is also a certified jet aircraft and helicopter pilot and a former member of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Management Advisory Council. He also established the Regional Air Alliance of West Michigan, a private organization funded by area companies that saw the importance of the airport to the region’s economic success.

DeVos will introduce a series of panel discussions between industry and academia focused on the critical need for aerospace talent development. The summit will continue through Sept. 6.

“Today’s students are the future of aerospace,” said DeVos. “This is a high-demand, good-paying career field that requires a robust talent pipeline. Aerospace in Michigan has enormous potential. I’m excited to be a part of AIAM’s efforts to strengthen an industry I love here in my home state.”

The AeroOne summit will feature internationally renowned companies, speakers, OEMs, suppliers, and thought leaders engaging in keynotes, panel discussions, and small group roundtables with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. The focus of the summit is to foster essential relationships for building a strong aerospace industry. Due to limited attendance capacity, early registration at  aerooneshow.com is highly recommended.

“Dick DeVos has shown unwavering passion for both aviation and education,” said AIAM President Tony Vernaci. “He has a deep understanding of the aerospace industry as a whole and is passionate about developing our future leaders. We’re thrilled to welcome him to AeroOne.”

DeVos’s work in the aviation sector has had an impact nationally and statewide. His efforts on behalf of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids have resulted in more affordable airfare, more flight providers, and the airport’s elevation as a regional hub for air travel that contributes more than $3 billion annually in economic activity in the West Michigan region. During his three-year term with the FAA he advised senior management on policy, spending, long-range planning, and regulatory matters.

The West Michigan Aviation Academy, a tuition-free public charter high school which DeVos founded in 2010, prepares more than 600 students each year for high-growth employment fields and provides them an opportunity to earn their pilot license while enrolled in high school. The students also receive mentoring from local industry experts from companies like Delta Air Lines and Gulfstream, who teach them about piloting, designing, and problem-solving within the aviation industry. 

The AeroOne talent panel discussions are an extension of the work of the Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan’s charitable foundation founded in January 2023. The AIAM Foundation is a response to unprecedented aerospace industry growth, which is expected to continue for decades to come. This growth has brought a significant need for more suppliers and talent to meet the increasing demands. The goal of the AIAM Foundation is to help bolster the aerospace industry — and with it, the state’s entire economy — by strengthening Michigan’s people, companies, and communities.

To register for AeroOne or secure your showcase table, visit aerooneshow.com. Attendees can book hotel rooms at Royal Park Hotel for September 4 and 5 at a deeply discounted promotional rate.

View the Agenda 

Conference aims to forge successful industry relationships with national aerospace leaders

ROCHESTER, MI — On Sept. 4–6, 2024, Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (AIAM) will hold its third annual AeroOne summit. This year’s summit will focus on developing the right relationships for success in building a strong aerospace industry. OEMS, suppliers, and thought leaders will gather at Royal Park Hotel in downtown Rochester, MI for two-and-a-half days of keynotes, panel discussions, and small group roundtables with OEM’s and Tier 1s to network with internationally renowned companies and speakers. Registration is now open. Attendance will be limited, so early registration is encouraged.

"AeroOne will provide suppliers with tools and strategies they need to build successful and meaningful relationships in the aerospace industry," said AIAM President, Tony Vernaci. "Growing business in the aerospace sector requires much more than accreditations and capabilities. Relationships are at the heart of our industry, and AeroOne has become an indispensable opportunity to connect one-on-one with the people who are shaping aerospace across the globe."

Last year’s conference drew attendees from more than 150 companies across 20 states. It featured top space, defense, and aerospace suppliers as well as leaders from global OEMs such as Airbus, Boeing, and Tier 1s Eaton, Woodward, and Pratt & Whitney along with representatives from the US Department of Defense. Attendees gained insight on topics such as electrification, the space economy, digital engineering, partnering with Tier 1s, sustainability, transitioning from auto to aero, and more.

The conference will kick off on September 4 with a day of roundtable collaboration opportunities and panel discussions on talent. The day will conclude with a premium welcome reception that evening. The popular roundtables give participating businesses the opportunity to collaborate with other suppliers and develop real-world industry solutions in partnership with leading Tier 1 companies. The roundtables — viewed as an overwhelming success among last year’s attendees — will be limited to 80 participants. To facilitate a much-needed dialog regarding the talent crisis, the AIAM Foundation, which supports aerospace expansion across the state, will host panel discussions between students, academia, and industry leaders, who will address aerospace careers and talent attraction.

Days two and three will once again be full of innovative and highly informative keynotes and panel discussions and will provide multiple opportunities for networking. While the speaker lineup is being finalized, it is guaranteed to match previous years’ essential topics from the industry’s top leaders.

A limited number of showcase display tables will provide companies with an outstanding platform to meet face-to-face with key figures in the global aerospace industry. The displays are strategically located in a high traffic area to provide companies with a captive audience and opportunities to meet with all conference attendees.

To learn more about the summit or to register, visit www.aerooneconference.com. Attendees can book hotel rooms at Royal Park Hotel for September 4 and 5 at a deeply discounted promotional rate starting now.

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About AIAM: The Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (AIAM) is a non-profit, member-driven industry organization. It is a platform for aerospace leaders in the state to work together on a common set of priorities to strengthen and support the continued growth in the industry through talent attraction and new investment in Michigan.

About AIAM Foundation: The AIAM Foundation supports aerospace expansion across Michigan. Efforts include: creating a diverse talent pipeline, especially among students in underserved and rural communities; strengthening small, under-resourced companies and helping them navigate the complexities to successfully compete in aerospace; and raising awareness of the important impact of aerospace in Michigan.

Warmest Regards,

Tony Vernaci

AIAM, President