2017-03-31 03:38:56
The inaugural Midwest Manufacturing Business Conference, being held in the Quad Cities on April 24-25, 2017 has brought together industrial leaders in manufacturing. “Keynote and featured speakers from across the Midwest will bring their insights and expertise to help accelerate the growth of mid-market manufacturing companies across the heartland,” said the spokesperson. More than thirty speakers will address conference attendees during the two-day educational and networking event. Featured keynotes and speakers include:
• John Ratzenberge—American Made: Best known for playing mail carrier Cliff Clavin on the long-running NBC sitcom Cheers, multi-Emmy-nominated actor and accomplished screenwriter, director, producer and author.
• Patricia Miller—Matrix IV: Patricia Miller is CEO and President of Matrix IV Inc. in Woodstock, IL. Her turnaround efforts and technological improvements helped make Matrix IV a 2015 Business Champion winner.
• Greg Baise—Illinois Manufacturers’ Association: Gregory W. Baise is the President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA), a statewide advocacy organization representing more than 4,000 member manufacturing companies.
• Dr. Donald McNeeley—Chicago Tube & Iron: McNeeley is the President and CEO of Chicago Tube and Iron, a graduate of the Harvard Business School, earned his Ph.D. in Economics, and adjunct professor at Northwestern University.
• Jim Carr—Carr Machine & Tool: In 2004, after 26 years of experience and full-time employment working for his father, Jim Carr became the sole shareholder and President of CARR Machine & Tool. By 2008, the company reached record sales after 35 years in business.
• Marc Bowers—St. Louis Makes: Bowers is the Executive Director of St. Louis Makes, a manufacturing focused nonprofit organization that exists to promote best practices in new product innovation, product management and business development.
• Santiago Jaramillo—Emplify: Santiago Jaramillo has received awards like “Best Speaker” from Resolve 2016 and “World’s Coolest Entrepreneur” from Inc. Magazine. After founding Emplify’s flagship mobile engagement platform in his college dorm room, he transformed how organizations of all types connect with their audiences.
• Dr. Magdi Azer—Illinois Applied Research Institute: Dr. Azer leads the implementation of applied research, development and engineering in digital manufacturing, and intelligent machining processes, for the Illinois Applied Research Institute.
Additional speakers for the twoday event include major manufacturers, employers and educators, including University of Iowa, University of Illinois, Western Illinois University, Allsteel, John Deere, Genesis Systems, Estes Construction, Pella Corporation, Van Meter, CIRAS and IMEC.
The speakers will share their experience and expertise on a range of topics including leadership, sales, marketing, technology, additive manufacturing, entrepreneurship, workforce development, cyber security, digital commerce and more. This year’s conference theme “Conquering Today, Competing for Tomorrow” is designed to help manufacturers move forward with real-world insights from fieldtested manufacturing leaders, improving operations, competitiveness, market reach and strategic advantages.
Conference attendees also have the opportunity to participate in a series of Peer Roundtables, featuring key industry topics and expert discussion facilitators, Executive “Speed Dating” (one-on-one discussion sessions with conference attendees and participants), Peer Panels (CEO roundtable moderated interviews), Peer Networking Sessions and much more.
The Midwest Manufacturing Business Conference is presented by the Midwest Manufacturing Business Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing mid-market manufacturing in the U.S.
Registration is now open for the Conference, which will be hosted at the QC Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf, IA, on Monday and Tuesday, April 24th and 25th, 2017.
To register or learn more about the 1st Annual Midwest Manufacturing Business Conference, explore mmbconf.org or on Twitter @mmbconf.
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