Manufacturing is entering a new era – faster, smarter, and more autonomous than ever before. But what happens when AI doesn't just assist... it acts?
In this keynote, discover how Agentic AI is reshaping industries from automotive to aerospace, solving today’s toughest challenges – and tomorrow’s.
Get ready to explore bold new strategies that combine Industry 4.0 and AI, drive operational excellence, and unlock transformational value.
Are you prepared to lead the next revolution?

The rise of smart factories and interconnected systems has unleashed a flood of data across the manufacturing sector. Yet, much of this data remains siloed, unstructured, or overwhelming, creating a “data swamp” that hinders effective decision-making. This session dives into strategies for cleaning, organizing, and integrating disparate data sources to enable actionable intelligence. Panelists will discuss practical approaches to breaking down silos, implementing advanced analytics, and leveraging AI to sift through complex data environments. This session also explores the power of synthetic data to change the state of manufacturing and quality control. Attendees will learn how to transform raw information into a competitive advantage, enhancing productivity, reducing inefficiencies, and driving smarter business outcomes.

Join us for a topical fireside chat with Global Economist, Meredith Walker. Meredith will break down the current state of tariff turbulence while addressing manufacturing concerns and looking towards the future.

This roundtable is designed for managers looking to develop a proactive approach to change management. Participants will explore practical tools and techniques for anticipating challenges, engaging their teams early in the change process, and fostering ownership. We'll discuss strategies for effective delegation, providing constructive feedback, and creating a supportive environment that encourages learning and adaptation during times of transition.

Inefficiencies can be costly, making optimizing production schedules more critical than ever. Join us for an engaging roundtable discussion on practical strategies for enhancing and optimizing your production schedule. We’ll cover best practices for rescheduling plans, identifying bottlenecks, managing delayed deliveries, and utilizing advanced tools to streamline processes. Learn how to leverage technology to get ahead of the curve and drive significant improvements in your production operations. Leave with actionable insights that can help you cut costs, improve lead times, and stay ahead of the competition.

This session will dive into risk management in modern manufacturing, where technological advancements, supply chain disruptions, and cybersecurity threats are top of mind. Attendees will discuss strategies for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks in areas such as production processes, supply chain management, and workplace safety. Key topics include integrating risk management into smart factory systems, using AI for predictive risk assessment, and developing crisis response plans. Participants will gain valuable insights on how to build a more resilient manufacturing operation that can withstand both expected and unforeseen challenges.

Manufacturers need to look beyond the retailer to understand the end consumer driving demand. This workshop delves into how analyzing consumer insights, social trends, and buying behaviors can help manufacturers optimize product design, production strategies, and demand forecasting. Through real-world case studies and interactive exercises, participants will learn to bridge the gap between manufacturing and retail expectations, ensuring that their processes and innovations resonate with the ultimate customer.

Active contractor management goes beyond simply pre-qualifying contractors. In addition to promoting a culture of transparency, accountability and continuous improvement, a strong contractor management process plays a critical role in reducing incidents. Although work environments vary across industries, safety professionals and their organizations face common challenges when partnering with third parties to perform important work. Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIFs) add their own complexity and require a multi-faceted approach that effectively incorporates both leading and lagging indicators. This session will be led by Katie McLaughlin, Senior Manager at ISN, who is a Certified Safety Professional and supports safety efforts across multiple industries. She will share feedback collected from thought leaders across those industries. Attendees will leave with an understanding of the key challenges their peers are facing and Katie will share solutions they can take back to their companies in order to develop a robust contractor management program focused on strengthening safety culture and reducing incidents.

So often it can be easy to diminish manufacturing to merely providing quality components in a timely manner. Historically, quality and speed contributed to an ideal manufacturing outcome which inevitably resulted in a healthy bottom line. However, with the ever-growing transitions in our society, we cannot ignore the fact that the landscape of manufacturing is evolving and changing. So, how are we to respond? It is essential to remain agile and realize that innovation is unavoidable for any company set to survive our challenging economic climate. This will require intention. Intention that can no longer be segregated to our products and services but must translate to our workforce as well. Times are indeed changing and though we are hearing chatter of a bold new world with the introduction of AI platforms like Chat-GPT, it is imperative that the people remain the focus. These people are the face and heart of the manufacturing industry. It is the people that drive our organizations and bring our ideas from creation to completion. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on how by shifting our focus back to the people behind the scenes, and intentionally building a stronger workforce, our companies inevitably benefit and a bold new path to innovation is paved.