2020 was a tough year for all of us, but we’re remaining positive and hopeful that things will start to get better in 2021. Here are the top 5 things I’d like to see happen in our aerospace industry in 2021.
Number One: The Return of Conferences and Trade Shows. I am so excited for the slow return of conferences! Once the pandemic hit the U.S. in March 2020, all of the aerospace and defense industry conferences & trade shows for the year were canceled or postponed. However, 2021 is looking a little more hopeful. The HAI Heli-Expo, the world’s largest show and exposition dedicated to vertical aviation, is ON and is taking place March 22 thru 25 in New Orleans. Who doesn’t love NOLA? [UPDATE: January 20, 2021 – HELI-EXPO CANCELLED. HAI Heli-Expo will return in 2022 right in InterConnect’s backyard – Dallas, Texas!]
It looks like the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) Supplier Management Council (SMC) Fall Meeting WILL BE HELD, hosted by Lockheed Martin. It is planned for October 19-21, 2021, in Orlando, Florida. This is the event where supply chain leaders in our industry such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, L3Harris, Northrop Grumman, BAE, Raytheon, etc, and medium and small size suppliers, from system integrators and manufacturers, get together and tackle issues that impact the aerospace and defense supply chain. Open to both Full Members and Associate Members, the Council’s mission is to integrate and focus the collective capabilities of the supply chain, at every level, to influence the strategies, policies, and regulations that enable the U.S. aerospace and defense industry to successfully compete in the global market, be profitable, and strengthen the U.S. position as the world leader.
We’re also looking forward to the ASIP conference in Austin, TX (just a hop, skip, and a jump away from InterConnect HQ) from November 29 thru December 2. This conference will highlight the structural integrity of aircraft as well as information on state-of-the-art technologies for aircraft structures in both the military and civilian fleets. There are not as many trade shows as we’re used to this year, but it sure will feel good to get back into the swing of things again at least a few times.
Number Two: The Return of Commercial Air Travel. I’m also excited for the return of commercial air travel as well as visiting customers face-to-face. Interaction with our customers and human connection is so important. Once our nation has these pandemic numbers under control, more people are expected to travel by air. Cross your fingers it happens in early 2021!
Number Three: USA and Our Allies Continue Equipping Military Aircraft As Needed To Support The Incredible Warfighter. Did you know that InterConnect specializes in rewiring military aircraft? We have led and been part of teams that rewired Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Sikorsky, and Bell aircraft including F-16’s, UH-60’s, F-15’s, and AH-1’s. I am looking forward to the continuation of equipping our military jets and helicopters with the best electrical wiring possible.
Number Four: The Continuation of My Small Business for Many Years To Come. We’re excited to continue our business, InterConnect Wiring, in 2021. In fact, today is InterConnect’s Birthday; 28 years strong! InterConnect strives every day to meet our core values:
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- We care
- We respond rapidly
- We are forward-thinking
- We are honest
- We have a “can-do” attitude
- We embrace our InterConnect family
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Number Five: The Safety, Health and Prosperity of All Our Employees, All Americans, and All Mankind. As we pull through this pandemic and time of civil unrest, we are definitely stronger together. We WILL get through these tough times. In fact, I’m sure that these tough times will make us all wiser and stronger people in the end.
“We are in the midst of a highly teachable moment. There’s no doubt that this period will be referred to for the rest of our lifetimes. We have a chance to go deep, and to go broad. Globally, we’re in this together. Depth is being forced on us by great suffering, which as I like to say, always leads to great love.”
– Richard Rohr, American Author and Francisican Friar
May you have a better 2021 full of opportunities and great health. God bless you all!
