October 16, 2014, ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS The Rockford Area Aerospace Network (RAAN) will be attending and exhibiting at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) 2014 Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition October 21-23 in Orlando, Florida. RAAN, along with several local companies, will be in booth #4835 to pursue new growth opportunities and attract businesses to Mid-Americas best international aerospace community, Rockford, IL.

With more than 200 aerospace companies in the Rockford region, our strength is the presence of diverse companies at all levels of the supply chain, said Carrie Zethmayr, Executive Director Trade & Investment with RAAN. Exhibiting at the NBAA brings awareness of our regions aerospace assets and highlights the outstanding resources available to aerospace companies in this area.

With over 26,000 attendees, NBAA is the fourth largest tradeshow in the United States and showcases the latest products and services in the aviation industry. This event provides RAAN access to major decision makers in the aerospace and aviation community. RAAN leaders will highlight the regions global access as part of the worlds third largest multi-modal port system, talented workforce, business-friendly community and available land for development. The Rockford Region is gaining momentum in the aerospace and aviation industry both nationally and internationally.

RAAN members, Advanced Heat Treating, Ingenium Technologies and Kaney Group will also attend the conference helping to demonstrate the collaborative nature of the Rockford region and pursuing new business opportunities.

NBAA is the perfect environment for RAAN to promote Rockford and its unique capabilities to accommodate many areas of aerospace development and educational opportunities, said Jeff Kaney of the Kaney Group. The regions rate of manufacturing employment is twice the national average, with more than 80 percent of Illinois aerospace workforce and several aerospace training programs located in the Rockford area providing potential companies with a built in workforce and high level of expertise in the industry.

ABOUT THE ROCKFORD AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

The primary role of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council is to collaboratively enhance wealth creation in the Rockford Region by helping employers retain and create quality jobs while promoting the region. The RAEDC works closely with many partners to learn what existing and new employers need to grow and to serve as a one-stop resource for clients. The RAEDC seeks to improve the competitiveness of the region by taking what it learns from the regions employers and engaging the community in the daily work of economic development to improve the competitiveness of the region. The organization was recognized by Expansion Solutions magazine with a 2012 Top Five award for its exceptional progress and potential for development in the Aerospace/Defense category.

ABOUT THE ROCKFORD AREA AEROSPACE NETWORK

RAAN (Rockford Area Aerospace Network) is a committee of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC) and offers a platform for collaboration among local aerospace companies and institutions that serve the industry. RAAN serves as the forum where the Rockford Regions aerospace industry cluster development strategy is advanced on an on-going basis. RAAN is supported by the Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge and the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce. The Challenge leverages existing resources from 16 federal agencies and award funds to regions that demonstrate the existence of high-growth industries that support a wide range of economic and workforce development activities.

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Rockford Area Aerospace Network to Attend NBAA Show