Nick:
I know that Sikorsky gives a lot of respect to test pilots, and I wish others did the same.
The comment was not intended for that area, but as a comment in general that if manufacturers won't send people to this forum, how do we expect to be taken seriously as a part of the wider aviation community.
I'm going to recommend that SETP set up something that will help the individual types of aviation (my plea for a rotorcraft section fell on deaf, fighter pilot ears).
There are a lot of common problems all in flight face come across, and some of those get discussed quite nicely either during or after the formal sessions.
And you're right about part of the problem is the attitude at SETP....