ICYMI: 4th Annual Aerium Innovation Summit Returns to Johnstown
U.S. Senator Dave McCormick 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.
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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.
