The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) will bring together leaders across the manufacturing industry this fall when it hosts the annual Iowa Manufacturing Conference at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa.
The one-day conference will be Tuesday, Oct. 14, at The Meadows Events and Conference Center. It will feature a lineup that includes an impactful keynote speaker, a panel of Iowa business leaders, and expert-led workshops all focused on the opportunities and challenges facing manufacturers today.
This year’s conference, which will run from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., also celebrates icons on the industry with the Legends in Manufacturing Awards announced during lunch.
The event’s presenting sponsor is EMC Insurance.
The gathering also marks the close of the 2025 Elevate Iowa Manufacturing Tour. Participants should look for the Winnebago RV, a symbol of the journey across Iowa.
In a news release, ABI said its annual CEO survey (published this summer) informed the topics that conference attendees will learn about. From navigating uncertainty and embracing emerging technologies to workforce strategies and global market trends, attendees will gain practical insights to strengthen their businesses and prepare for the future.
The keynote speaker will be Eric Termuende, a best-selling author and internationally recognized thought leader on the future of work, leadership, and workplace culture. His insights have inspired leading companies such as Amazon, Coca-Cola, IBM and John Deere, and his work has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and Inc.
In addition, a panel of Iowa business leaders will discuss other pressing issues facing manufacturing including taxes, international trade, automation, and workforce challenges. The panel will be moderated by Debi Durham, director of both the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Iowa Finance Authority (IFA).
The Iowa industry panelists are: Nate Weaton, president and CEO of Weaton Companies in Fairfield; Megan Weiler Green, CFO of Weiler, Knoxville; and Connor Deering, CEO of Cemen Tech, Inc. in Indianola.
“The manufacturing industry in Iowa ranks third when it comes to the number of employees per capita,” ABI President Nicole Crain said in a news release. “Manufacturers know the importance of learning from one another and focusing on workplace culture and the future of work. That is why this conference is focused on bringing together leaders from across the state to exchange ideas, tackle challenges and shape the future of manufacturing in Iowa.”
Attendees also have a chance to network with their peers and the new Legends in Iowa Manufacturing, an awards program organized by Elevate Iowa, a program of ABI that educates Iowans about careers in manufacturing.
For conference registration and a detailed agenda, visit https://www.iowaabi.org/events/manufacturing-conference/.
The mission of the Iowa ABI is to provide a strong, unified voice to business and industry on issues affecting Iowa employers. Its member companies represent all industries and sizes in Iowa’s 99 counties and collectively employ more than 330,000 Iowans.
