Global Aerospace Summit 2026 Announces Speaker Lineup for St. Louis-Area Event

EDWARDSVILLE – The Global Aerospace Summit will return to the St. Louis region August 19–20, 2026, with a lineup of speakers and panels that builds on the success of the inaugural conference last year. The event brings together aerospace manufacturers, suppliers, government leaders, educators and workforce partners for a two-day program focused on advancing innovation and strengthening the industry’s future. Hosted by the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, Madison County, St. Clair County and the St. Louis Regional Freightway, the 2026 Summit will take place at the Regency Conference Center in O’Fallon, Illinois, with additional programming hosted throughout the Metro East.

An estimated 200 attendees from across the United States, Canada and as far away as Korea are registered for this year’s summit, making it a truly global event and strengthening its position as a premier platform for industry collaboration. The 2026 program will feature keynote presentations, industry panels, networking opportunities, a career fair and a targeted supplier matchmaking session designed to connect manufacturers with new business opportunities.

“This Summit was created to elevate the St. Louis region’s position as a hub for aerospace manufacturing and innovation, and the response to our inaugural event confirmed both the strength of our industry and the demand for meaningful collaboration,” said Kyle Anderson, Executive Director & CEO of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois. “As we get ready to welcome attendees for year two, we’re focused on delivering even greater value, bringing together leaders from across the aerospace ecosystem to address emerging trends, strengthen supply chains and create new pathways for growth.”

Things kick off on August 19 with opportunities for attendees to participate in a tour of the Center for Academic and Vocational Excellence (CAVE) in Belleville, Illinois, where students are gaining the skills needed to embark on a career in the aerospace sector. The morning also features a Career Fair at Regency O’Fallon in partnership with Scott Air Force Base Military & Family Readiness Center to highlight training pipelines and connect talent to high-demand aerospace careers.

The afternoon features a series of presentations and panel discussions between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., including in the following order:

• Opening Keynote by Brigadier General David Fazenbaker, Director of Strategy, Plans, Requirements and Programs for Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base
• Keynote by Troy Rutherford, Vice President of The Boeing Company, who will highlight Boeing’s MQ-25 Stingray and the Next Era of Aerospace, providing an inside look at advanced manufacturing, autonomy and defense innovation in the greater St. Louis region
• A panel discussion with leadership from Kalitta Air titled Connecting Markets and Missions: Kalitta Air’s Global Reach

• REVving Up Aerospace: Incentives Driving UAV Manufacturing in Illinois, a presentation by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
• A presentation by representatives from the Illinois Department of Transportation on Illinois' Aviation Economic Impact and Future Advanced Air Mobility
• The Future of Flight Runs on SAF - a panel discussion with Jim Hedges, CEO, CoverCress, and Cindy Tomei, President, Sustainable Aviation Fuels Institute (SAFII)

Day two on the morning of August 20 will include a federal and state policy discussion featuring members of Congress and state leadership, as well as three additional panel discussions:

• Building and Sustaining the Fleet: OEM, MRO and Defense Perspectives, featuring leadership from Boeing, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. and West Star Aviation
• From Compliance to Competitiveness: Navigating Today’s Defense Landscape, featuring representatives from the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) and SSE, Inc., for a discussion on issues and trends in aerospace manufacturing and bidding, including Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and its impact on manufacturers supporting DOD contracts
• Growing an Aerospace Economy: Data, Collaboration and Regional Leadership, featuring leadership from the Illinois Economic Development Corporation, St. Louis Regional Freightway and Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois

Among the unparalleled networking opportunities brought back for year two of the summit is the chance to experience high-speed laps at World Wide Technology Raceway, the same track used by NASCAR and INDYCAR, reaching speeds of over 120 mph. The IMEC Supplier Matchmaking Program also returns. This targeted, one-on-one networking opportunity is designed exclusively for the manufacturing sector. Participating Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) submit real-time sourcing needs in advance, and IMEC curates personalized meeting schedules to connect them with qualified manufacturers and suppliers whose capabilities align. The deadline to sign up for this year’s matchmaking session is end of day Monday, August 10th.

“Our region’s aerospace ecosystem is built on strong industry partnerships, strategic infrastructure and a highly skilled workforce,” said Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Multimodal Enterprises for Bi-State Development and head of its St. Louis Regional Freightway enterprise. “This conference will provide tremendous opportunities for those who want to be part of the growth and impact of this vibrant industry.”

To learn more about the 2026 Global Aerospace Summit, view the full agenda and register to attend, visit: https://leadershipcouncilswil.com/gas2026/.

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