Editorial | Showcase for Commerce gives region chance to shine

Johnstown’s annual trade show, the Showcase for Commerce, wraps up Thursday at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

The 27th installment continues the vision of what John P. Murtha dreamed of for this area: a way to connect Johnstown’s industries to the federal government and perhaps the world.

The yearly event allows leaders of the nation’s defense industry to share ideas with and see firsthand what local manufacturers are capable of – both industrially and technologically – and, hopefully, results in millions of dollars worth of defense contracts for the region.

The showcase also allows the Greater Johnstown-based manufacturers to tout their products and the more-than-capable workforces that they have assembled from among the many skilled people in Cambria, Somerset and surrounding counties.

Once again, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey will serve as the event’s congressional sponsor. This year, he will be joined by Rep. Keith Rothfus of the 12th Congressional District and U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey.

“No event casts a brighter light on Pennsylvania’s world-class workforce and manufacturing capabilities,” said Casey, Pennsylvania’s senior senator.

“It’s all obviously about creating jobs and creating opportunity for Johnstown and Cambria County and southwest Pennsylvania,” Casey continued. “We anticipate this year will be another good year to promote jobs and also to focus on the future.”

Army Brig. Gen. Brian Cummings and Brig. Gen. Anthony J. Carrelli, Pennsylania’s adjutant general, addressed the government acquisition leaders on Wednesday at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center in downtown Johnstown.

Showcase’s keynote speaker on Wednesday was U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, who chairs the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and also is a co-chairman of the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus. Wittman is Rothfus’ guest.

“He’s very much in tune with the current defense policy in our country,” Rothfus said. “I think he’s going to bring some good insights.

“Bringing folks like Mr. Wittman here is a great opportunity because every time I bring a member of Congress here, they’re very impressed with what Johnstown has to offer.”

That ringing endorsement is sure to please defense-related companies such as JWF Industries, Concurrent Technologies Corp., Martin-Baker America, BCL Manufacturing and Kongsberg, along with dozens of local businesses eager to participate on a bigger stage and before a global audience.

PITTchFEST will once again be part of Showcase for Commerce. PITTchFEST is a contest pitting entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to a group of judges. There are two categories to PITTchFEST – one for students, the other for teams associated with Vision 2025, an initiative working to improve the region in the upcoming years.

PITTchFEST is sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown’s Entrepreneurship Program, the Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Chamber of Commerce and Johnstown Area Regional Industries.

Finalists in both categories will compete for prizes of $2,500, $1,000 and $500.

Good luck to all involved.

We thank the local business leaders for their continued support of Showcase for Commerce. They are the men and women who envision a new purpose, vitality and future for the Cambria-Somerset region.

We applaud their commitment.