Drawing from more than 300 interviews with manufacturing leaders across the country, Chris will share 10 practical lessons manufacturers can apply right away—from building stronger teams and culture to embracing technology, solving workforce challenges, and leading through change. Attendees will leave with real-world insights, fresh ideas, and proven strategies from the people shaping the future of manufacturing.
Learn the fundamentals of succession planning for manufacturers, including leadership transition, operational continuity, and preserving your company’s legacy. Facilitated by Dr. Samantha Christian of National Park College and featuring a real-world manufacturer case study, this session provides practical insights and actionable steps to begin or strengthen your succession plan.
Learn how AI and machine learning are being used to identify defects, detect process abnormalities early, and improve manufacturing quality in real time. This session will explore practical applications of smart manufacturing technologies, predictive analytics, and anomaly detection to support faster decisionmaking and continuous improvement on the shop floor.
Improving quality is an ongoing process that requires people, accountability, and strong partnerships. Leaders from Bad Boy Mowers will discuss their experience addressing manufacturing quality challenges, investing in workforce capability, and working alongside education partners to strengthen production outcomes and support long-term growth.
As manufacturers adopt automation, AI, electrification, and other advanced technologies, energy, infrastructure, and operational planning are becoming more closely connected. This panel explores how manufacturers, utilities, and industry partners can work together to support expansion, modernization, and long-term growth. Through a practical discussion, attendees will gain insights into planning for future capacity, aligning facility and infrastructure investments, and building resilient operations.
How do high-performance manufacturers scale operations while building a workforce connected to purpose, culture, and long-term success? CoorsTek will share practical lessons and real-world experiences in hiring, onboarding, employee development, and retention while expanding operations in Arkansas.
With machine guarding remaining one of the most common safety challenges in manufacturing, organizations are looking beyond compliance to build safer, more reliable operations. This session introduces the Machine Safety Lifecycle, offering practical strategies to improve safeguarding, reduce risk, and integrate functional safety into everyday operations—helping manufacturers protect employees while supporting productivity and long-term performance.
Step into the role of a cybersecurity defender in this fast-paced, interactive simulation designed for industrial environments. As cyberattacks unfold, participants will identify vulnerabilities, make real-time decisions, and implement practical security measures to keep operations running. Along the way, you’ll gain a better understanding of key concepts—including network segmentation, firewalls, access control, and policy management—and leave with actionable strategies to strengthen your organization’s cybersecurity.
Virco Manufacturing will share practical lessons from its efforts to improve onboarding, employee engagement, and workforce development inside a manufacturing environment. Moving beyond a traditional compliance-driven onboarding process, Virco is building a more intentional experience focused on culture, connection, and workforce readiness. The session will include real-world examples, employee feedback, apprenticeship insights, and honest discussion around both successes and ongoing challenges. Manufacturers attending will gain actionable ideas they can apply within their own operations.
