Conference & Seminar
Seattle European-American Air Forum (SEAAF)
Event language(s)
English
Price:
General Admission: $290
FACC Members: $240
Students & Seniors: $100
Event ended.
SEAAF's 4th edition as part of Seattle Space Week!
The 4th edition of Seattle European-American Air Forum - SEAAF is proudly bridging Transatlantic industry leaders and communities to make it all happen!
📅 October 1, 2026
📍 Downtown Seattle: address reserved for Registered Guests
🚀 Part of SeattleSpaceWeek
🤝 In Partnership with Space Northwest, the 4th Edition of SEAAF will bring together Aerospace and Space executives, innovators, startups, investors, suppliers, and policymakers from both sides of the Atlantic for a day of insight, debate, competition, and networking.
This event runs under the Chatham House Rule.
Speaker(s)
Schedule
| 08:00 - 08:30 | Meet & Greet Coffee & Pastries, sponsored by Quebec Government Office in Seattle |
| 08:30 - 09:00 |
- Welcome to the 4th edition of SEAAF - Speakers: - Sofia-Cristina Visan - Executive Director, FACC PNW - Haim Kats - FACC-PNW, EVP of the Board of Directors & Aerospace Committee President, Hutchinson ADI Executive Vice President - Rep. Chris Stearns - House Speaker Pro Tem, WA State House of Representatives, 47th Legislative District - David Ruiz - Québec’s Delegate in Seattle, Québec Government Office in Seattle |
| 09:00 - 09:45 |
- From space robotics to launch systems: How Québec is building a complete space ecosystem - Speakers: - Maxime Goulet-Bourdon - Chief Operating Officer, Reaction Dynamics - Carole Ceard - Aerospace Trade Attachée, Québec Government Office in Seattle Québec is widely recognized as a global aerospace powerhouse, but over the past four decades it has also developed a dynamic and rapidly growing space sector. Supported by world-class companies, research institutions, government programs, the Canadian Space Agency, and industry organizations, Québec has built expertise spanning satellites, robotics, Earth observation, software, optics, communications, and in-orbit operations. This fireside chat will explore how that ecosystem is evolving toward a full end-to-end space value chain with the emergence of Reaction Dynamics, a pioneering Québec company developing Canada's first sovereign orbital launch capability. We will discuss the future of launch systems, and how Québec is positioning itself as a key player in the North American space industry. |
| 09:45 - 10:00 | Break |
| 10:00 - 10:45 |
- Global Trade Regulations - Speaker: - Lisa Druesdow - Founder and Principal Consultant, Manolin LLC Trade controls (ITAR, EAR, CUI, ECCN…) are often viewed as barriers to growth, slowing innovation, disrupting supply chains, and increasing operational complexity. The most successful organizations move beyond simply meeting regulatory requirements. They operationalize compliance through streamlined processes, cross-functional collaboration, and risk-based decision-making that aligns legal obligations with business objectives. This approach empowers leadership to pursue growth opportunities with greater certainty while minimizing disruption and maintaining regulatory integrity. When implemented strategically, trade controls become more than a compliance function—they become a business enabler that helps organizations navigate complexity with confidence, protect enterprise value, and pursue strategic opportunities while maintaining regulatory integrity. |
| 10:45 - 11:00 | Break |
| 11:00 - 11:45 |
- Supply Chain Stability - Speaker: - Jeff Carpenter - VP Aircraft Materials & Structures, Boeing Commercial Airplanes A session with perspectives on the challenges we face today, where the opportunities are, and what it will take to build a more stable and resilient supply chain for the future. |
| 11:45 - 14:00 | Lunch Break, sponsored by f5 |
| 12:30 - 13:30 | SEAAF Startup Competition |
| 14:00 - 14:45 |
- Aerospace production challenges: Delivering Quality, Rate, and Cost in an Uncertain Environment. Moderator: - Shawna Livingston - VP of Operations, Raisbeck Engineering Speakers: - Frederic Denise - CEO, Derichebourg Aeronautics Services LLC - Eduardo Torres - Owner and Co-Director, MTorres - Mark Borus - President & CEO, IDD Aerospace Safran Electronics & Defense The conversation will focus on the operational realities of moving complex aerospace and space systems from development and low-rate production into stable, scalable manufacturing. We expect to cover topics such as production bottlenecks, workforce and skills constraints, quality and rework, tooling, engineering changes, certification, automation, cost pressures, and coordination across engineering, operations, quality, and regulatory teams. We will also consider how energy and oil prices, tariffs, evolving regulations, and geopolitical instability are affecting production costs, investment decisions, operating plans, and customer demand. |
| 14:45 - 15:00 | Break |
| 15:00 - 15:45 |
- Space Commercial Development - Growing Capacity: Launch, Compute, and What's Next Moderator: - Michael Doyle - Co-founder, Space Northwest Speakers: - Andrew Hanna - Director for Civil Space and BD Stoke Space - Marcy Mabry - CEO, Space Launch - Jean-Poirier - CEO, Verde Technologies - Brian Monnin - Co-Founder & CCO, Sophia Space Growing the next frontier requires growing capacity from every angle: new launch vehicles, brokered access to the launch that already exists, and in-space computing that lets satellites already in orbit do more. This panel brings together four companies attacking capacity from each of those angles, and the supply chain that has to keep pace with everything. |
| 15:45 - 16:00 | Break |
| 16:00 | End of SEAAF Startup Competition |
| 16:00 - 16:45 |
- INVITE ONLY - AI in Aerospace: Opportunity, Trust, and Guardrails, with f5. Moderator: - Ian Lauth - Director of Product Marketing, AI Security, F5 Bringing together 20 aerospace and space guests for an interactive roundtable focused on sharing how they’re using AI, and discuss practical ways to innovate while protecting their businesses. We’ll explore security questions around sensitive information, intellectual property, and “shadow AI” - tools used outside approved channels. Practical guardrails that give teams room to innovate while protecting the business. |
| 16:00 - 16:45 |
- The Skills Gap That AI Can't Fix - Moderator: - Priyansha Bagaria - Founder and CEO, Loopr AI Speakers: - Teresa Schrader - Director of Talent & Marketing, Newell Corp - Trevor Kennedy - Plant Manager, Parker Hannifin - Philippe Vinet - Senior Director, Brand Sales, NAM, Dassault Systemes- Systemes - Navid Zobeiry - Associate Professor of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Washington AI can automate workflows, but it cannot replace operational judgment, leadership, or a culture of continuous improvement. This session explores how manufacturers can combine intelligent automation with leadership development, Lean methodologies, and frontline engagement to navigate workforce transitions while achieving lasting operational performance. |
| 16:45 - 17:00 | Break |
| 17:00 - 20:00 |
Space Happy Hour at SEAAF, sponsored by f5 & Space Happy Hour. Celebrating SEAAF Startup Competition WINNER. |
Thank you, Sponsors!
🎤 Join us at the SEAAF Startup Competition!
We invited you to nominate companies to participate in the SEAAF Startup Competition, where emerging companies will have the opportunity to pitch their solutions before industry leaders, investors, and corporate decision-makers.
👉 Learn more and submit your nomination for 2027
🤝 Become a Sponsor
Showcase your organization and gain visibility among top aerospace and aviation stakeholders by becoming a SEAAF sponsor.
👉 Explore sponsorship opportunities for 2027
✈️ Share Your Expertise
We are currently finalizing the program and welcome proposals from industry experts interested in speaking during specific sessions. If you would like to contribute as a speaker or panelist, we would love to hear from you.
👉 Contact us to discuss speaking opportunities for 2027
🇪🇺🇺🇸 Don't miss out on this chance to celebrate 40 years of European-American Aerospace cooperation in the #PNW thanks to the French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest!
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