4th Annual Aerium Innovation Summit Returns to Johnstown
U.S. Senator Dave McCormick, NASA veteran Raul Blanco, Lockheed Martin, and leading voices across aviation and aerospace gather May 27–28 at the Johnstown-Cambria County Airport to shape the careers and technologies defining flight's future.
PRESS ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Matt Crocco, Communications Director, Aerium
Phone: 412.592.7061
Email: Matt@aerium.org
JOHNSTOWN, PA — Aerium, Pennsylvania’s nonprofit hub for aviation, aerospace, and drone workforce development, will host the Fourth Annual Innovation Summit on Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28, 2026 at the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport. Bringing together industry leaders, policy makers, educators, and innovators, the two-day summit showcases Pennsylvania’s growing role as a national leader in aviation technology and industry workforce development.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The 2026 Summit is a two-day immersive experience hosted inside the working hangars of Johnstown–Cambria County Airport. This year’s program emphasizes aviation and aerospace innovation and the workforce opportunities those innovations demand. Attendees can expect:
- U.S. Senator Dave McCormick headlining Day 2: Senator McCormick closes the Summit with the headline plenary on Thursday, May 28 — bringing a federal perspective on Pennsylvania’s aviation future and the policy landscape shaping it.
- Business leaders speaking directly to industry: Hear from David Taylor of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association and Bill Miller of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry on what aerospace growth actually requires at ground level — workforce pipelines, competitive policy, and the urgency of action now.
- Real-world use cases in the room: Denver Hopkins, CEO of Horizon Aerobotics, will detail how his company chose Pennsylvania over competing states for a major UAS investment. The Summit will also spotlight Drone814, Aerium’s emergency response drone program delivering EpiPens and Narcan to rural communities, and the AARCHIEE Project, a cutting-edge initiative advancing autonomous aerial systems and their real-world applications.
- Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) & eVTOL integration: Real-world use cases and regulatory pathways for the next generation of flight.
- Workforce pipeline development: Connecting students, career and technical centers, and universities to high-demand aviation careers across the Commonwealth.
- Public-private partnerships: Building the investment and infrastructure frameworks Pennsylvania needs to compete nationally and internationally.
WHEN
Wednesday, May 27 – Thursday, May 28, 2026
- Day 1 (Wednesday, May 27): Opening General Session at 10:00 AM | Looping transportation: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMDay
- 2 (May 28): Breakfast begins at 8:00 AM | Closing session (Pitch Summit) concludes at 3:30 PM | Looping transportation: 7:45 AM – 4:00 PM
WHERE
John Murtha Johnstown–Cambria County Airport
- 479 Airport Rd
Johnstown, PA 15904
WHO WILL BE IN THE ROOM?
- Government & Legislative- Federal (U.S. Senate, U.S. House), NASA, Pennsylvania state legislature, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development, Cambria County government
- Aviation, Aerospace, Defense & UAS- Horizon Aerobotics, MatrixSpace, Near Earth Autonomy, Electra (eVTOL), AMS, Lockheed Martin, SAAB, Aerial Applications
- Healthcare & Emergency Response- Conemaugh Health System, UPMC, EMA Directors, First Responders
- Education & Workforce Development Saint Francis University, Carnegie Mellon University, Penn State, Penn College of Technology, Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center, UBCTC, LTCI, Somerset Career & Technology Center
- Business, Industry and Innovation Advocates- Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association, American Petroleum Institute, Veregy
- Robotics & Autonomy- KEF Robotics, Near Earth Autonomy, CMU
SPEAKER HIGHLIGHTS:
- Sen. Dave McCormick – U.S. Senator, Pennsylvania; Headline Speaker, Closing Plenary, Day 2
- Sen. Wayne Langerholc – Pennsylvania State Senator, Majority Whip (R-35); Opening General Session, Day 1
- Rep. Jim Rigby – Pennsylvania State Representative, Minority Whip (R-71); Opening General Session, Day 1
- Raul Blanco – 15-Year Veteran of NASA; Lunch Keynote: “From Space to Workforce”
- Denver Hopkins – CEO, Horizon Aerobotics; panelist on UAS enterprise use cases - Bringing ~ 250 jobs to the region
- Jennifer Leinbach – Executive Director – Office of Technology Investment, Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
- Judd Pittman – Director - Bureau of Career & Technical Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education
- Glenn Ponas – CEO, Aerium; FAA Certified Pilot
- Larry Nulton, PhD. – Chairman, Aerium
- David Taylor - President of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association
- Bill Miller – Vice President, External Relations, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
- Pat McCann – Lockheed Martin ; workforce session panelist
- Brianna Pavkovich – Director, Aviation Maintenance Technician Program, Saint Francis University
- Dr. John Augustine – Director, Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center
- James Tigner – Director of Aviation & Marketing at Hosanna House, Inc and Aerium West Director
- Commissioners Hunt, Rager & Chernisky – Cambria County Board of Commissioners
- Plus 20+ additional speakers from government, academia, healthcare, and aerospace
About Aerium
Aerium is a national leader dedicated to accelerating aviation innovation and expanding the workforce needed to sustain it. Through collaborative partnerships that leverage the strength of the entire aviation ecosystem - industry, education, government, and community organizations - Aerium drives forward solutions that make flight safer, smarter, and more accessible. At the same time, Aerium strengthens talent pipelines by preparing students, educators, and workers for high-demand careers across aerospace and advanced technology fields. By uniting innovation with workforce development, Aerium ensures both businesses and communities are ready for the opportunities of a rapidly evolving aviation economy.
