VAAA Open House Feb. 10th

Berlin – The Vermont Chamber Aerospace and Aviation Association (VAAA) will hold an Open House on Thursday, February 10th from 3 to 5 pm, at the Heritage Aviation Facility in South Burlington.  The event will feature plastics, polymers and ceramics as a manufacturing growth opportunity, and will present sourcing and supply chain opportunities with manufacturing industry leaders. For more information or to register email ccarrigan@vtchamber.com.

The advanced ceramics industry is expected to grow to $12.6 billion by 2012 (Freedonia Group, Advanced Ceramics, December 2008); similarly, plastics and polymers are expected to see significant annual growth within the next three years. “Plastics, polymers and ceramics are a growing market and will provide opportunities for Vermont's economy and businesses,” noted Chris Carrigan,  Vermont Chamber Vice President of Business Development.  All three materials are used in a wide array of modern applications for the aerospace, aviation, oil and gas, medical, consumer, electronics and defense industries.

Open House speakers include industry experts from Northrop Grumman, GE Aviation, GE Healthcare, and General Dynamics.

Chris Sheppard, Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems will provide an overview on why the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program is important to national security. He will also cover sensor specifics and components made from new age materials for the F-35 Program.

Robert Schafrik, GE Aviation will address the role and use of ceramic matrix composites in GE's private and government-funded engine demonstrator programs, and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team's F-136 development engine for the JSF.

John Harold, GE Healthcare will discuss the role and use of plastics and polymers throughout GE Healthcare's supply chain, as well as opportunities for medical device manufacturing member attaining ISO 13485 certification and wanting to do business with GE Healthcare.

John Veilleux, General Dynamics, has over 40 years of experience in the Armament/Aerospace industry and will cover specific procurement requirements and opportunities with General Dynamics and what GD is looking for from supply chain partners. 

 "The VAAA Open House events are an excellent opportunity to meet senior management of leading aerospace firms,” said Bill Berg, Vermont Composites. “The Vermont Chamber's efforts have helped us open doors and connect with new partners as we grow our business in Vermont, creating quality jobs in our communities."

The VAAA is managed by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce; it was established in an effort to promote and grow aerospace, aviation and related industries in the Green Mountain State. Open House Events, featuring high-growth sectors, market opportunities and member contacts for tangible, business-to-business networking, are held at facilities and sites around the state and throughout the year. 

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The Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the largest statewide, private, not-for-profit business organization, represents nearly every sector of the state’s corporate/hospitality community. Our mission is to create an economic climate conducive to business growth and the preservation of the Vermont quality of life.

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