New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (New Mexico MEP) is hosting a virtual conference October 26 through 29 to arm manufacturers with information to help them move beyond today’s supply chain, workforce, and other issues that pose challenges to production.
Worker shortages, disruptive technologies, supply chain issues, and cyber attacks are provoking unprecedented challenges for manufacturers. The Advanced Manufacturing Summit, headlined by national and international experts, offers presentations and discussions designed to help manufacturers balance production demands and new challenges generated by a rapidly changing business environment. The summit also encourages companies to look beyond today as the so-called Industry 5.0 is ushered in.
A “breakfast” session from 7:30 am to 9:00 am on Thursday, October 28 will augment “luncheon” sessions that take place from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Tuesday, October 26 and Friday, October 29. The conference is free; however, advance registration is required. Register here.
Patrick Dixon, MD, author of 16 books on global trends, including The Future of Almost Everything, headlines the event. Dixon has been ranked one of the 20 most influential business thinkers alive today by Thinkers50, an international organization that encourages sharing the leading business and management ideas of our age.
Other speakers include Thomas O’Brien, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Center for International Trade and Transportation at California State University Long Beach; and Chris Kuehl, Ph.D., Economic Analyst for the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association and co-founder of Armada Corporate Intelligence. O’Brien’s expertise and proximity to western ports through his work at CSU Long Beach will provide insight into supply chain issues. Kuehl, who is often tapped by journalists for his expertise, will discuss industry trends.
Mel Cossette, founder and Executive Director of MatEdU, will address workforce development issues and opportunities. MatEdU, funded by the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education program, is an online library that advances materials technology. New Mexico locals Paige Galles, a director of Customer Engagement at Tanium, and Avram Gonzales, a small-business strategist, will help participants navigate cyber security and online presence enhancement, respectively.
The summit is the culmination of events related to Manufacturing Day, a national initiative held annually on the first Friday of October to generate interest in 21st-century manufacturing. In New Mexico, Manufacturing Day is celebrated the entire month of October with tours of manufacturing facilities, educational open houses, and presentations by resource providers who aim to build New Mexico’s manufacturing sector. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has demonstrated support by proclaiming October as Manufacturing Month.
All events are sponsored by New Mexico MEP, a nonprofit organization that offers manufacturers training and expertise in efficient production and administrative practices that allow them to maximize their competitive edge.
Register for the Advanced Manufacturing Summit.