Agenda
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 | Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
5:00 pm — Welcome Reception
7:00 pm — Reception Concludes
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 | Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
7:30 am — Networking Breakfast
8:30 am — Open Remarks
8:35 am — Why Act Now?
In an era of unprecedented investment and rapid factory construction, the manufacturing sector is facing both extraordinary opportunities and mounting challenges. This session will explore why now is the critical time to act, delving into key trends reshaping the labor force and the essential role of the workforce. Attendees will learn about the “recipe for success,” highlighting the importance of building strong industry sector and community partnerships.
Join us as we discuss how manufacturers can no longer rely on traditional methods but must work in concert with each other and with partners to cultivate the skilled workforce needed for sustained growth. We will also examine how this effort is vital for national security, robust supply chains, and the future of the industry.
It’s time to build your own workforce and rise to the challenge of this transformative moment.
- Gardner Carrick, Chief Program Officer, The Manufacturing Institute
9:00 am — From Perception to Reality: How to Make Manufacturing Careers a Top Choice by Transforming Your Employee Value Proposition
Join us for a discussion with Mark Rayfield, CEO of Saint-Gobain North America and CertainTeed, LLC, who is redefining the future of manufacturing careers. Under Mark’s leadership, Saint-Gobain North America is investing in innovative strategies to attract top talent and transform perceptions of manufacturing careers. Discover what steps Mark is taking to transform the company’s employee value proposition, including significant investments in the company’s Holistic Wellbeing Strategy, flexible scheduling, workforce development programs and more. Learn how the transformation of your employee value proposition can help you attract multiple generations of new talent to pursue a career in manufacturing.
- Mark Rayfield, CEO, Saint- Gobain North America and CertainTeed, LLC
- Carolyn Lee, President and Executive Director, The Manufacturing Institute
9:35 am — How a Frontline Obsession Fuels Culture and Business
Learn how cultivating a culture of obsession can drive business success, energizing teams and fostering innovation. Join Jill Wyant, President and CEO of local manufacturer Madison Air, as she shares insights and actionable takeaways on building a business culture that thrives on passion and purpose.
- Jill Wyant, President and CEO, Madison Air
- Carolyn Lee, President and Executive Director, The Manufacturing Institute
10:15 am — Breakout Sessions (See descriptions below)
- Regionalized Workforce Partnerships
- Innovative Workforce Strategies: Enhancing Flexibility and Upskilling
- Four X-Factors: How Land O’Lakes is Systematically Attacking the Talent Shortage
- Relationships Over Transactions: Building Partnerships to Unlock Untapped Talent
11:00 am — Networking Break
11:30 am — Breakout Sessions (See descriptions below)
- Creating the Workforce of the Future
- Opportunity Knocks for Students and Manufacturers
- Find/Hire/Keep Your Talent
- Employee Engagement Heightened with Career Development
12:00 pm — Networking Lunch
1:00 pm — MI Program Spotlight
1:35 pm — Manufacturing Change: Partnering for a Better Future
Discover how leaders from Smurfit Westrock, utilize expertise and programmatic resources, supported by the Manufacturing Institute, to drive organizational collaboration and impactful change.
- Mandy Burnette, Director of Corporate Giving and Community Affairs, Smurfit Westrock
- Brooke Kaskey, Sr. Manager of Emerging Talent, Smurfit Westrock
- James Goppert, HR Business Partner, Smurfit Westrock
2:00 pm — MI Program Spotlight
2:45 pm —Breakout Sessions (See descriptions below)
- Child Care: A Benefit for All
- Incorporating Community for a Strong Workforce Strategy
- Are You Measuring Your Learning Program’s Impact on Manufacturing Business Outcomes?
3:45 pm — Breakout Sessions (See descriptions below)
- Can’t Find It? Build It.
- Developing the Skills and Environment to Meet Manufacturers’ Workforce Needs
- Policy Impacts on Workforce Development
- Priming the Workforce Supply Chain: Leveraging Strategic Partnerships to Attract Future Manufacturing Talent
4:45 pm — Brewing Solutions
5:30 pm — Networking Reception
7:00 pm — Reception Concludes
Thursday, October 10, 2024 | Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
8:00 am — Networking Breakfast
9:00 am — Empowering Women: How Mentors and Allies Can Drive Cultural Transformation
Women make up less than a third of our workforce but nearly half of the total potential labor force. This mainstage discussion will explore the critical role of mentors and allies in fostering gender equity, driving cultural transformation, and the positive contributions women make to the workforce. Led by Susan Elkington, Senior Vice President, Electric Vehicle Supply, Toyota Motor North America, this conversation will highlight the strategies, insights and real-world examples of how empowered networks can break down barriers, create inclusive environments, and accelerate the progress of women in manufacturing. Whether you’re a leader, mentor, or advocate, discover how you can contribute to a future where every woman thrives.
- Susan Elkington, Senior Vice President, Electric Vehicle Supply, Toyota Motor North America
- Kerry Creech, President, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky
- Carolyn Lee, President and Executive Director, The Manufacturing Institute
9:35 am — Beyond The Technology: Al’s Influence on Manufacturing Leadership and Organization
As AI’s presence builds on the shop floor and throughout manufacturing’s business structures, it’s important to consider not just the technology but its implications for organizations and leadership. This session will examine what manufacturers need to do to prepare for an AI-centric future, such as developing an AI strategic roadmap, preparing leadership and frontline workers for change, and ensuring that organizations are flexible and attuned to workforce needs while also keeping responsible corporate policies in place for AI usage and data privacy and protection.
- Wendy Collins, Chief AI Officer, NTT DATA
- Kim Curley, Vice President, People and Organization Consulting Practice Leader, NTT DATA
- Cory Kramer, Senior Director, NTT DATA
- In conversation with: Penelope Brown, Senior Content Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
10:15 am — Breakout Sessions (See descriptions below)
- Modern Manufacturing: A New Solution to the Workforce Equation
- ERGs + Culture = Retention
- Expanding the Military to Manufacturing Pipeline Through Skills-based Hiring
11:15 am — Developing Workforce Strategies Post-Site Selection
Manufacturers have several factors they consider during the site selection process for a new facility. One of the top factors under consideration is access to a skilled workforce. Once the site is selected, manufacturers work with the local talent ecosystem – workforce organizations, economic development organizations, education, training providers, and other manufacturers – to develop workforce strategies that will help them build their local workforce. Vanessa Rising, Director of Blair, NE Operations will share how Novonesis approached this challenge and developed strategies to recruit and train talent.
- Vanessa Rising, Director of Blair, NE Operations, Novonesis
12:00 pm — Networking Lunch
12:45 pm — Embracing the New Normal in Workforce Training Partnerships
U.S. demographic data is abundantly clear. Creating long-term and effective workforce training partnerships as a core business strategy is a business imperative– a new normal resulting from the urgent need to address critical skills gaps across all sectors. What’s working, what’s not, and why this might be the time for your customers, competitors, and other stakeholders to lead the way.
David Etzwiler, CEO of the Siemens Foundation, will join Carolyn Lee, President and Executive Director of the Manufacturing Institute, to discuss how investing in inclusive recruitment initiatives and early pipeline training modules is essential to sustaining business operations and economic growth.
- David Etzwiler, CEO, Siemens Foundation
- Carolyn Lee, President and Executive Director, The Manufacturing Institute
1:30 pm — Deep Dives
2:00 pm — Closing Remarks
2:15 pm — Program Concludes