AGENDA

8:30 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast Opens
 

9:30 a.m.

Welcome
 
Confirmed speakers: Ethan Karp (MAGNET / Introduction), & Ryan Augsburger (OMA)

9:45 a.m.

Morning Keynote Address
Confirmed speaker: Lt. Governor Jon Husted

10:15 a.m.

Break - Sponsor Court
 

10:30 a.m.

Breakout Sessions
 

Gardner Carrick, Chief Program Officer of The Manufacturing Institute, will lead a discussion about national and state best practices for identifying and attracting new talent pools. He will be joined by manufacturers who have discovered new ways to reach women, people of color, justice-impacted, and veterans.

Confirmed speakers: Gardner Carrick (Manufacturing Institute), Geoff Lipnevicius (Lincoln Electric), Cara Bowmore (envoy), Rose Britner (Pinnacle Plastic Products), & Ashlyn Schneider (Worthington Enterprises)

In today's competitive labor market, effective hiring processes are more important than ever. In this session, you’ll hear from manufacturers, recruitment experts, and Industry Sector Partnerships about the impact of speed to hire, company culture, and the importance of internal career pathways and upskilling strategies. Panelists will share case studies about leveraging new strategies to stand out and win talent.

Confirmed speakers: Sam Falletta (Incept), Adam Artman (Manufacturing Works), Maureen Pansky (Oatey), & Terri Sandu (OhioTechNet; moderator)

Learn from experts and manufacturers about best practices to engage K-12 students in manufacturing career pathway opportunities. This session will also unveil OMA’s NEW set of tools and activities you can use in your community.

Confirmed speakers: Alex Hertzer (MVMC), Shaun Eller (Ohio Gratings), Jim Houck (MakingOhio; moderator), & Susan Whitman (AMIP)

The Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model bridges the gap between industry skill requirements and education programs. The model is designed to align high school, Ohio Technical Center, and Community College programs with the technical skills and knowledge that manufacturers need. Learn how manufacturers can use the model to guide collaboration, skill alignment, and future demand planning with your local manufacturing education programs.

Confirmed speakers: Victoria Powers (Accenture), Rick Woodfield (Ohio Association of Community Colleges), Tara Shepherd (Apollo Career Center), & Kent Dubbe (Ariel Corporation)

11:45 a.m.

 
Break - Sponsor Court 

12:00 p.m.

Lunch Plenary Address: Collaborating for Ohio's Workforce Future
 

This session will highlight the unprecedented collaboration between OMA and its state partners. Top-level leaders will share how they are supporting Ohio's manufacturers-including efforts to improve K12 career awareness and planning, design training programs that are better connected to industry needs, and strategies to support industry-led Sector Partnerships and the adoption of new technologies. Panelists will include top-level leaders from:

 
  • JobsOhio
  • Ohio Department of Development
  • Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
  • Ohio Department of Higher Education

Confirmed speakers: Chancellor Mike Duffey (ODHE), Deputy Director Varner (ODEW), Susan Restrepo (Ohio Department of Development), Kristi Clouse (JobsOhio), & Jessica Borza (Moderator)

 

1:00 p.m.

Break - Sponsor Court
 

1:15 pm

Discussion and Panel: AI in Manufacturing - Navigating Change and Evolving Workforce Needs

As automation and AI reshape manufacturing, small, medium, and large-sized manufacturers face both opportunities and challenges. This session will explore AI adoption across different manufacturing areas, outline practical steps to begin implementing, and discuss the shifting workforce requirements. A Q&A panel will follow, offering insights into real-world challenges and solutions for AI integration.

 
Confirmed speakers: Kurt Kroplin (Scotts Miracle-Gro), Prasad Satyavolu (Accenture/ Moderator), & Trevor Gillespie (Procter & Gamble)
 

2:15 p.m.

Afternoon Plenary Address: Ohio Manufacturers' Secret Weapon: Collaboration 
Join industry leaders to explore innovative strategies for promoting manufacturing careers, attracting talent, and growing the workforce. This session will highlight collaborative efforts to address workforce challenges and opportunities including how companies are working together to build robust talent pipelines in youth engagement, recruitment strategies, and community partnerships.
Confirmed speakers: Will Kealy, III (Universal Robots / Moderator), Ryan Day (Hynes Industries) & Meredith Reffey (Honda)
 
Closing Award Presentation
 

3:00 p.m.

Reception