Manufacturing Engage 2023

Winning Through Uncertainty

What if one message could change your perspective on the world? What if one person could provide hope that the best is yet to come? This person is Sam Goodwin. In 2019, Sam was taken hostage in Syria, leading US Government and intelligence officials to doubt whether he would ever be seen again alive. His incredible journey of survival illustrates the extraordinary power of the human spirit. As an inspirational speaker, his message has inspired audiences around the globe. Once expected to die, Sam now teaches others how to truly live.

Sam Goodwin is an American entrepreneur and public speaker. He played Division I college hockey, co-founded a tech company and NGO in Singapore and has traveled to every country in the world. Sam was wrongfully imprisoned on false charges of espionage in Syria in 2019. Today, Goodwin shares his experiences through speaking engagements worldwide, including to audiences of elite athletes, faith groups, corporate conventions, the US Military and others. Sam earned a bachelor’s from Niagara University and a master’s from Washington University in St. Louis. He is currently pursuing a doctorate at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington DC.

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"From Physical to Virtual: Enhancing Tooling and Machining Processes and Training with Extended Reality and Digital Twins"

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are already revolutionizing how we shop, work, and play. What was once thought of as Science Fiction has quickly become Science Fact. With ever-increasing complexity in jobs and responsibilities, fewer skilled labor to fill available job openings due to a rapidly aging population, and an explosion of IoT data thanks to “Connected Everything”, businesses need new ways to train and retain employees and help workers do more with less. This presentation will demonstrate how Extended Reality (XR) and Digital Twins are transforming tooling and machining processes and training. By utilizing XR technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), trainees can engage in immersive, hands-on experiences without the need for physical prototypes. Through real-world case studies, attendees will gain insights into the practical implementation of these technologies, understanding their benefits, challenges, and best practices. This presentation unveils the future of training in the tooling and machining industry, where XR and Digital Twins enhance efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and safety.

Scott is a technical architect with over 20 years of experience designing, developing, and delivering complex solutions across a broad range of industries. He currently leads AT&T Extended Reality Solutions and consults on several emerging technology groups at AT&T. He resides in Orlando, Florida, where he spends his free time reading, writing code, and pursuing passion projects.

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"How Changing the Status Quo in Recruiting can Work for You"

This panel discussion will focus on 3 distinct initiatives that reach out to and recruit from underrepresented groups of people to fill their open positions. Company representatives will share why they decided to change the status quo in their recruiting strategy, how they got started, and why it’s been successful. Attendees will leave the session with information that will allow them to replicate these models in their own facilities.

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"How Changing the Status Quo in Recruiting can Work for You"

This panel discussion will focus on 3 distinct initiatives that reach out to and recruit from underrepresented groups of people to fill their open positions. Company representatives will share why they decided to change the status quo in their recruiting strategy, how they got started, and why it’s been successful. Attendees will leave the session with information that will allow them to replicate these models in their own facilities.

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"How Changing the Status Quo in Recruiting can Work for You"

This panel discussion will focus on 3 distinct initiatives that reach out to and recruit from underrepresented groups of people to fill their open positions. Company representatives will share why they decided to change the status quo in their recruiting strategy, how they got started, and why it’s been successful. Attendees will leave the session with information that will allow them to replicate these models in their own facilities.

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"Drive Focus, Empower Culture and Grow the Bottom Line"

Companies must learn to adapt to the fast-changing business and economic landscape. Leaders must navigate overlapping challenges: the historic labor shortage, supply chain crisis, recession, inflation, changing consumer behavior, geopolitical issues, and more. In this unprecedented era of disruption, success will be determined by a leader’s commitment to strategy and ability to make critical decisions under pressure. Some will be paralyzed by crisis management and miss out on growth opportunities. But, if companies operate correctly, they can move beyond mere survival and focus on growth.

Jenn Desrosiers spent the first decade of her career with Illinois tool Works (ITW). During the consolidation of multiple ITW operating units, she led the business segmentation into focused markets and products. Using 80/20, Jenn eliminated complexity through customer and product line simplification. She currently specializes in strategy creation and execution. She helps clients achieve profitable margin expansion and cash flow growth through revenue increases, overhead reductions working capital reductions, and more.

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"Global Economic Outlook"

We are living in the most volatile economic climate in decades. Cliff will describe the global economic picture and discuss the implications for small to mid-size American manufacturing companies.

During his extensive career as a Washington, D.C. economist, Cliff has been an active and in-demand public speaker on topics ranging from the U.S. and global economic outlooks to new markets, productivity, and automation. He is the host of Manufacturing Talk Radio’s “Cliff Notes on the Global Manufacturing Picture”, now in its fifth year. From 2003 to 2018 Cliff served as Senior Economist and Chief Economist of the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI). His career includes tenures as an economic researcher with a state government forecasting and policy research unit as well as with a small business research team in Washington, D.C. Winning three national research awards. Spending two years as Chairman of the Board of the National Economists Club. Serving as co-chair of the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) manufacturing roundtable in 2019. In 2018 he was awarded the Certified Business Economist (CBE) designation by NABE. He received his M.A. in economics from Rutgers University

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"Engaging Washington: Manufacturers Take Center Stage"

Policymakers in Washington D.C. are taking notice of manufacturing in America more than ever before. What does this mean for the industry and NTMA members? How will their newfound attention help, or hurt your business? Caitlin Sickles with the Policy Resolution Group at Bracewell and Omar S. Nashashibi of The Franklin Partnership will provide their insights into the latest on supply chain policies, regulations, tariffs, taxes, and efforts to train and recruit a pipeline of manufacturing workers. With the 2024 elections around the corner, this is a can’t-miss presentation to help you make decisions critical to your company’s success.

A founding partner of The Franklin Partnership, Mr. Nashashibi works with members of Congress on behalf of his clients on a variety of issues from trade to federal funding opportunities to telecommunications.

Caitlin Sickles is a partner for the Policy Resolution Group at Bracewell LLP. Her work includes message development and delivery, reputation management, and crisis communications.

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"Engaging Washington: Manufacturers Take Center Stage"

Policymakers in Washington D.C. are taking notice of manufacturing in America more than ever before. What does this mean for the industry and NTMA members? How will their newfound attention help, or hurt your business? Caitlin Sickles with the Policy Resolution Group at Bracewell and Omar S. Nashashibi of The Franklin Partnership will provide their insights into the latest on supply chain policies, regulations, tariffs, taxes, and efforts to train and recruit a pipeline of manufacturing workers. With the 2024 elections around the corner, this is a can’t-miss presentation to help you make decisions critical to your company’s success.

A founding partner of The Franklin Partnership, Mr. Nashashibi works with members of Congress on behalf of his clients on a variety of issues from trade to federal funding opportunities to telecommunications.

Caitlin Sickles is a partner for the Policy Resolution Group at Bracewell LLP. Her work includes message development and delivery, reputation management, and crisis communications.

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"OSHA on the March - Regulating your Workplace"

OSHA is among the most active federal regulators targeting America’s tool, die, and machine shops. From regulations requiring companies act when the heat index reaches 80°F to reporting requirements and employee protection program, OSHA affects every aspect of your business from the front office to the shop floor. Stephen Maule, labor attorney with McCahon Berger and Omar S. Nashashibi, Founding Partner with The Franklin Partnership, will provide insight into what to expect from OSHA in the coming months, recent changes, and strategies for compliance and maintaining a safe workplace while taking steps to prepare for an OSHA visit. Exploring the regulations impacting NTMA companies today, and what we can expect from OSHA in the final two years of the Biden Administration’s first term.

Stephen handles all facets of litigating employment law disputes, including employment discrimination claims under federal, state and local laws. Stephen provides various services in the labor area, including representing management in arbitration, National Labor Relations Board elections, objections to elections, collective bargaining, strikes and injunctions, and unfair labor practice charges. He regularly advises clients on employment-related matters such as personnel policies, daily human resources issues, employment contracts, severance agreements and employee handbooks.

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"Securing the Machine - Cybersecurity for the Shop"

Your inbox, your social media, and your industry groups are all talking about it: Cybersecurity Incidents. It seems every week, another company falls to a cybersecurity breach, losing access to their core systems and most important data. Company leaders are being told “you must do something!” about cybersecurity – but nobody is telling them how to do anything (other than “buy our product”). Using real-world examples from industry, Andy Sauer will share his recommendations for putting “rubber to the road” toward cybersecurity.

Andy is a cybersecurity leader laser-focused on helping organizations build cybersecurity maturity. In his role as CISO with Sentinel Blue, he specializes in helping defense and federal contractors meet compliance obligations (DFARS, CMMC). Before co-founding Sentinel Blue, Andy managed cybersecurity operations in the defense industry, internally as a defense contractor, and externally as a consultant.

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