Familiar Friends Bonding Over Business
A recap of “ All Systems Go ” at the I-90 Aerospace Conference 2023 ( including the golf event ).
By Jennifer Ferrero
The I-90 Aerospace Corridor Conference & Expo is held at the end of May , after Memorial Day each year . Staci Nelson , executive director of INWAC , now NIMA , remarked that it started because that was a good time to grab space at the Coeur d ’ Alene Resort . But it became a great time for the conference because of the good weather and end-of-conference golfing event .
Staci Nelson NW I-90 Manufacturing Alliance ( Formerly INWAC )
info @ nimaalliance . org www . nimaalliance . org 509.342.8197
NW I-90 Manufacturing Alliance
This year , Dan Kocer , Kocer Engineering & Consulting of Seattle , stayed the extra day to play golf on the Coeur d ’ Alene Golf Course . It was his first time staying for the golf event . “ It was a great group ,” he said of the foursomes , and instead of overt networking , found that “ It was more spontaneous .” He made connections he planned to call post-conference , to continue exploring on a business level . “ We didn ’ t talk business on the golf course , but it was good fodder for future conversations .”
Andy LeFriec of Novation organizes the golf event for the conference . He said , “ Golf has always been a great game to get to know someone . We pair people who may have new or old business interests . Looking to put your product in front of someone ? We can pair you up . Looking to do some quality time with a good customer ? We can pair you up .”
He said that the four-hour game is essentially a business-to-business meeting . “ Who doesn ’ t want a four-hour B2B session on one of the world ’ s most beautiful golf courses ?”
He added that conference participants have many shared interests and hanging out on the golf course is excellent for bonding with each other .
44 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS