Conference Agenda
(Conference starts at 1 p.m., May 13)
Agenda At-A-Glance
May 13 (day 1)
| 1 p.m. | Registration |
| 1:30 p.m. | Opening remarks |
| 2 p.m. | Opening keynote |
| 3 p.m. | Three concurrent breakout sessions (TBA) |
| 4 p.m. | NCMEP Manufacturing Leadership Awards ceremony |
| 4:30-6 p.m. | Celebration of North Carolina manufacturing reception and vendor tradeshow |
May 14 (day 2)
| 7 a.m. | Registration |
| 7:30 a.m. | Breakfast available |
| 8 a.m. | Opening remarks |
| 8:15 a.m. | General sessions: Topic 1: Supplier Matching Topic 2: AI in Manufacturing |
| 9:30 a.m. | Three concurrent breakout sessions (TBA) |
| 10:30 a.m. | Networking break and exhibits |
| 11 a.m. | Three concurrent breakout sessions (TBA) |
| Noon | Lunch |
| 12:30 p.m. | Keynote speaker |
| 1:30 p.m. | Closing comments and door prizes |
Full Agenda (Tentative)
Day 1
Monday, May 13
Day 2
Tuesday, May 14
Day 1
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
1 p.m.
1:30-2 p.m.
Phil Mintz – NCMEP
Ben Kinney – Business NC
2-2:50 p.m.
Global Business Strategy and Local Manufacturing Implementation
John McGirr, SVP and GM, Optical Fiber and Cable, Corning Incorporated
Overview of a global, corporate strategy – and how to navigate, implement, and customize from a local, manufacturing perspective.
3-4 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION 1
Room A: Partnering for a Successful Apprenticeship Program
Jay Simmons – Apprenticeship Program Manager, Machine Specialties
Sponsored by:
Room B: Journey to Manufacturing Excellence
Ryan Biddix – Continuous Improvement Manager, Teijin Automotive Systems – Lenoir
Tracy Gray – Plant Manager, Teijin Automotive Systems – Lenoir
Sponsored by:
Room C: Food Safety & Security and Cybersecurity for Manufacturing Firms
Eric Hobbs – President, Technology Associates
Michael Druga – President and CEO, SinnovaTek and FirstWave Innovations
Tyler Brown – VP of Manufacturing, SinnovaTek and FirstWave Innovations
Sponsored by:
4-4:30 p.m.
Leadership Awards Ceremony
4:30-6 p.m.
) and Vendor Tradeshow6 p.m.
Adjourn
Day 2
7 a.m.
7:30 a.m.
8 a.m.
8:15 a.m.
Topic 1: Supplier Matching: KeAnne Hoeg – Director of Data Management Systems, Supplier Matching and Reporting, NC State Industry Expansion Solutions
Topic 2: Streamlining Success: How Software Modernization Elevates Manufacturing Efficiency and Scalability: Michael Georgiou – Co-Founder and Eric Lawrence – Director of Growth and Partnerships, Imaginovation
9:30-10:30 a.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION 2
Bill McBrayer – Human Resources, Safety, Health and Environmental Manager, Lexington Home Brands
Sponsored by:
Room B: GE Aerospace’s Key to Manufacturing Success – Exceeding Customer Expectations Through Learning and Consensus
Ed Zimmerman – Leap Manufacturing Program Leader, GE Aerospace
Room C: Using Training Within Industry (TWI) as a Foundation for Standardized Work
Dan Grimsley – Corporate Learning and Development Manager, Chatsworth Products, Inc.
10:30-11 a.m.
11 a.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION 3
Track A: Sustainability and the Circular Economy Panel
Roland Butzke – Enterprise Account Executive, Sustainable Energy Management, Siemens Industry, Inc.
Matthew Flowers – Corporate Purchasing Manager, Unifi
Kevin Martin – Executive Director, Carolina Utility Customers Association (Moderator)
Track B: Navigating the Digital Transformation Journey
Steven Airoldi – East Region General Manager, Vision 33 and Manufacturing Client TBD
Track C: Utilizing Kata for Improvement
Brandon Bunn – Kaizen Promotion Officer, NC Correction Enterprises
Noon
Buffet Lunch Available
12:30 p.m.
Keynote with Q&A:
How Automation Can Help Solve the Labor Shortage: Lynn Crump – President, Cross Company
1:30 p.m.
Closing Comments and Door Prizes
Registration
Early Registration (ends April 5)
Manufacturers: $299
Non-Manufacturers: $399
Hotel Information
Durham Marriott City Center
201 Foster Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701
Unscripted Durham
202 Corcoran Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701