Tentative Agenda
*subject to change
Monday, October 16, 2023 | Grand Hyatt Atlanta Buckhead
5:00 pm — Welcome Reception
7:00 pm — Reception Concludes
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 | Grand Hyatt Atlanta Buckhead
8:00 am — Networking Breakfast
9:00 am — Plenary Sessions
10:30 am — Break
11:00 am — Employer-Led Solutions Breakouts
12:00 pm — Networking Lunch
2:30 pm — Break
3:00 pm — Employer-Led Solutions Breakouts
4:00 pm — Office Hours
5:00 pm — Networking Reception
6:30 pm — Day 2 Concludes
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 | Grand Hyatt Atlanta Buckhead
8:00 am — Networking Breakfast
9:00 am — Plenary Sessions
10:00 am — Employer-Led Solutions Breakouts
12:00 pm — Networking Lunch
1:00 pm — Group Workshop
2:30 pm — Summit Adjourns
Program Sessions
The Transformative Impacts of AI and Robotics on the Manufacturing Workforce
Artificial intelligence and other disruptive technologies have the potential to dramatically transform production in the manufacturing sector and create unparalleled opportunities for innovation. Discover how to effectively harness the power of AI to recruit and upskill workers, and learn what skill sets necessitate upgrading, both for existing and new employees.
Creating and Building a Regional Sector Workforce Strategy
The manufacturing industry is growing at a rapid pace in the country. Local communities are in a unique position to start industry-driven, regional workforce strategies that can better prepare the community for these careers. Join us to learn how Fresno is launching a manufacturing sector strategy to develop and connect their workforce to manufacturers looking for talent.
What Manufacturers Need to Know about DE&I Programs in the Wake of the SCOTUS Affirmative Action Decision
Hear from legal and HR experts and manufacturing leaders as they breakdown the implications of the SCOTUS’s Affirmative Action decision on corporate DEI programs and potential impacts on talent pipeline, consumer support and workplace culture. Gain a better understanding of how to navigate sensible and effective next steps in your company’s commitment to furthering its D&I efforts and goals.
Beyond One Size Fits All: Solving Flexibility Challenges
Figuring out what flexibility approaches work best for your organization can be challenging, particularly for frontline workers. In this interactive workshop, discover key insights gathered from discussions with manufacturers tackling this very issue. Come prepared to share lessons learned from your own organizations as well gather tips and tricks on how to create a working culture that will boost recruitment and retention.
Investing in the Future: NextGen Creators
Manufacturers make long-term investments in product development, sustainability, technology and more. However, workforce investments tend to be nearer-sighted due to the need to fill jobs today. Building a sustainable talent pipeline that will fulfill future workforce needs requires forethought of the skills, characteristics and experiences that desirable candidates will have – but also requires assorted investments of time, resources and human capital from industry. Gain valuable insights around student engagement, building partnerships with local schools, community impact and discover unconventional (unique) ways to measure a longer return on investment.
Industry at the Forefront: Creating Competition in Post-Secondary Technical Training
Many manufacturers are unable to get the technical talent they need from local community colleges. Some industry sector partnerships have found value in creating competition through requests for proposals so colleges understand and commit to training what industry needs. Some states have found policy solutions to provide industry more choice in college partner selection. Learn what solutions might be possible for you.
Past the Press Release: Building DEI Support at Every Level within your Organization
So, your CEO (with a bit of help from your comms team!) has made a statement on the importance of diversity, and your sustainability report now includes aspirational D&I goals. Now what? Listen in on this fireside chat with a manufacturing leader making strides to incorporate D&I into the daily life of all employees from supervisors on the frontlines to c-suite leadership
Unlocking the Keys to Effective Training Solutions and Providers
This session aims to empower manufacturers with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions about training solutions and providers by drawing upon peer knowledge, best practices and proven programs to enable them to enhance their workforce’s skills.
Bringing the Military and Manufacturing Together
Gain insights on the unique skillsets and diversity that Army Reservists can offer the manufacturing industry, including reliability, leadership, discipline and a thorough grounding in engineering, logistics and mechatronics. Attendees will also uncover innovative solutions to streamline the search for great candidates.
Mapping Impactful Experiences for NextGen Creators
Personal experience is the number one indicator of a student’s career choice according to MI research, making direct career exposure critical to building the manufacturing workforce of the future. This collaborative session focuses on creating impactful opportunities for students to engage with manufacturing careers to aid in their career identity and pathway development. Participants will work together in groups to evaluate their organization’s current student engagement strategies, discover new ideas and resources, and map out consistent and stackable experiences for students in their communities.
Leveraging Military Talent to Source an Essential Workforce
Veterans are uniquely positioned to step into manufacturing careers, often having technical training, leadership skills and mission focus. Dive deeper into solutions for sourcing talent from the Army Reserve and learn how manufacturers are successfully creating recruitment pathways to assist veterans into rewarding careers in the industry.
Expanding Talent Populations: A Collaborative Community Approach
Manufacturers continue to consider second chance hiring as part of their recruitment strategy and need support understanding the resources available to help connect them to justice-impacted individuals. Learn how manufacturers in Georgia have reconsidered their hiring practices and continue to build community partnerships to recruit and retain justice-impacted individuals in their communities.
Unlocking Potential: Empowering NextGen Make(Hers)
Manufacturers face a critical underrepresentation of women in manufacturing careers. Stereotypes and societal perceptions often portray manufacturing as a male-dominated, dirty and physically demanding field, deterring young girls from exploring it as a viable career option. Additionally, limited exposure to role models and educational resources that highlight successful women in manufacturing further perpetuates the gender gap. Discover innovative approaches companies and partner organizations can use to break barriers and empower the next generation of make(hers), broadening the talent pipeline and propelling industry towards a more innovative and equitable future.
Unique and Relevant Topics
Real-World Challenges and Solutions
Collaboration and Partnership-Building in Real‑Time
Current and Future-Looking Strategies
One of a Kind
