Oklahoma City — The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce will hold what members consider one of the most important annual gatherings focused on economic issues this Friday (December 2) “to help deepen people’s understanding of the aerospace industry and its impact in the Oklahoma City region,” a press release from the Chamber said on Tuesday.

The annual “State of the Aerospace Industry event” is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Petroleum Club of Oklahoma City, 100 N. Broadway Ave., Suite 3400, Oklahoma City, 73102.

Featured speakers will include Lt. Gen. Stacey T. Hawkins, commander of the Air Force Sustainment Center at Tinker Air Force Base.

General Hawkins “will provide an update on work being done at the Sustainment Center,” the Chamber press release said.

Andre McMillian, vice president of sustainment operations and military engines for Pratt & Whitney, will discuss the past, present and future of the company’s partnership with Tinker Air Force Base.

He will also talk about the F-135 program and where Oklahoma City fits in globally.

The aerospace industry continues to soar in Oklahoma City, playing a vital and key role in Oklahoma City’s economy.

The Chamber release focused on the meeting pointed out the impact comes in “providing thousands of jobs across the metro, most notably at Tinker Air Force Base, the state’s largest single-site employer, and at numerous defense contractors which have large footprints here, including Pratt & Whitney as well as places such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman and others.

The Boeing Company is a “presenting sponsor” for the event. The “host Sponsor” is Oklahoma City Community College.