The annual Iowa Manufacturing Conference, a platform for Iowa manufacturers to gather and exchange insights from their peers, will be held Oct. 4 in Ankeny.
The one-day educational experience, hosted by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI), will explore issues important to Iowa manufacturers, such as innovative workforce solutions, retaining diverse talent and risk management.
Mary Kelly, the conference keynote speaker, is a retired U.S. Navy Commander and spent over 20 years on active duty in intelligence and logistics. Ms. Kelly learned lessons in leadership in the first and second gulf wars and during 911. She also was a military professor at the Naval Academy and a civilian professor at the Air Force Academy. Attendees will be inspired to embrace their roles within their organization, surpass their goals, and plan for the future.
Attendees also will hear from Kanlaya Barr, corporate economist for John Deere. Ms. Barr is a graduate of Iowa State University and has experience working in the finance industry in the U.S. and Thailand. She will provide a global economic outlook, including supply chain pressures, rate increases and a harvest outlook.
Legends in Manufacturing will be celebrated during the conference as part of ABI’s Elevate initiative, which helps raise awareness about manufacturing careers in Iowa. The day will conclude with optional tours of John Deere (Ankeny), EFCO Corp. (Des Moines), and DMACC (Ankeny).
“The Iowa Manufacturing Conference is a great way to kick off Manufacturing Month,” said ABI President Mike Ralston in a news release. “As we travel the state, it is clear this industry is thriving, and we want to do everything we can to continue to advance manufacturers and manufacturing careers.”
Registration is available here: iowaabi.org/abimfg.
