May 7, 2025
The posted agenda is from the 2025 event; details for the 2026 event will be announced soon!
*ALL TIMES IN EST*
10am-7pm (Center Concourse): Registration Open
1-3:50pm: Emerging Leaders Pre-Con Session
The Brain Science Behind Achievement
Facilitated by Joe Roberts, Keynote Speaker
Room Location: Emerald A/B
Facilitated by Joe Roberts, inspirational keynote speaker and four-time author, this powerful, hands-on workshop will equip emerging leadership with the same systems and brain science leveraged by Roberts to walk across North America during the Push for Change campaign.
4-5pm: Topical Rounds
Kick-off AMBA Conference 2025 with Topical Rounds, returning roundtable discussions where attendees will choose from topics related to U.S. mold manufacturing operations and discuss related challenges, best practices and new technologies with peers.
Topics
- Financial Performance Strategies (Room Location: Vandenberg A)
- Best Practices in Cybersecurity Measures (Room Location: Vandenberg B)
- Retention Strategies in the Workforce (Room Location: Pearl)
- Continuous Improvement Initiatives (Room Location: Governors)
5:30-7pm: Welcome Reception, Supplier Trade Fair and Sponsor Expose
Join attendees for a welcome reception and supplier trade fair at the conference location in the Center Concourse. Attendees also will have an opportunity to participate in the third annual Sponsor Exposé with conference exhibitors.
7pm: Day Concludes
May 8, 2025: Morning Sessions
6:30am: Registration Opens
7-8am: "Business over Breakfast" Connections
All attendees will have the opportunity to engage with their peers during AMBA's returning "Business over Breakfast" connection opportunities. Room Location: Pantlind Ballroom.
8-8:25am: Welcome Kick-Off, Troy Nix
Room location: Ambassador Ballroom
Leaders have a responsibility to run their organizations effectively, efficiently and profitably - and this starts with the workforce that they manage. During his opening keynote presentation, Troy Nix will reveal, through his own story of personal and professional growth, how executives and management teams can empower their workforces to drive customer satisfaction, quality and output.
8:25-9:20am: Keynote, Bill Stainton
Breakthrough Innovation: How to Unleash Your Hidden Ingenuity
Room Location: Ambassador Ballroom
The manufacturing industry lives on innovation and ingenuity; but what about those who don’t consider themselves "the creative ones?" During this inspiring keynote, attendees will learn how EVERYONE can unleash their hidden ingenuity.
9:20-9:50am (Center Concourse): Supplier Trade Fair, Networking Break and Sponsor Exposé
9:50-10:40am: Omar Nashashibi, Inside the Beltway Solutions
Opportunity in Uncertainty: Navigating Changes in Today’s Global Supply Chain
Room location: Ambassador Ballroom
In his first few months in office, President Trump has shaken supply chains around the world and has begun creating opportunity for American manufacturers. During this presentation, Omar Nashashibi, founder of AMBA’s lobbying partner Inside Beltway in Washington. D.C, will report on how the tariff actions and trade negotiations the White House is undertaking impact U.S. mold manufacturers.
10:40-10:55am: AMBA Member Recognition (Room Location: Ambassador Ballroom)
11:05-11:55am: Breakout Sessions - Industry Trends
Guidance for the (Legally Compliant) Deployment of AI Tools
Presenters: Kris Chandler, Benesch
Room Location: Emerald A
Point-of-Entry Opportunities - EDM and Aerospace
Presenters: Joe Ballek, EDM Today; Charlie Kreitner, Maximum Mold
Room Location: Vandenberg A
Optimizing Lead Generation for the Modern Sales Era
Presenter: Keith Bradt, Kallan Sales Development; Hillary Thomas, Westminster Tool
Room Location: Vandenberg B
Liability to Asset - Strengthen Cybersecurity through Employee Preparation
Presenter: Dean Rhoades, Federated Insurance; Ed Francis, Crystallume
Room Location: Emerald B
Breakout Discussion: Challenges in Emerging Leadership
Room Location: Pearl
May 8, 2025: Afternoon sessions
12pm-1pm: Networking Lunch or Lunch and Learn
Lunch and Learn* - Unleashing Your Hidden Ingenuity
Presented by Bill Stainton
Room location: Imperial Ballroom
In this roll-up-your-sleeves, hands-on session, attendees will take the techniques and ideas presented during Bill Stainton’s keynote and apply them directly to their business! Together, attendees will explore strategies to identify and tackle their biggest challenges.
*This is a ticket-only event.
Networking Lunch and Emerging Leader Connections (Networking Lunch Only)
Room location: Pantlind Ballroom
Join other industry professionals for conversation and sharing over lunch. During the Networking Lunch, AMBA's Emerging Leaders will have the opportunity to engage and connect with other up-and-coming professionals. Designated seating will be reserved for those professionals looking to learn from one another.
1:10-2pm: Breakout Sessions - Business Tools
How to Maximize the Enterprise Value of Your Business (and Why it Matters)
Presenter: Sean LaFortune, Wipfli
Room Location: Emerald B
Breaking through the Noise: AI Tools for Improved Process and Marketing Efficiency
Presenter: Shelly Otenbaker, WayPoint Marketing Communications
Room Location: Emerald A
The Automation Curve - Valuable Processes for the Shop Floor
Presenter: Jake Rohrer, Wipfli
Room Location: Ambassador Ballroom
Continuous Improvement Strategies at Work - Metrics & More
Presenters: Julie Lavanway, Hanson International, and Kimberly Wojtkowiak, Crescent Industries
Room Location: Governors
2:10-3pm: Michael Feuz, ITR Economics
Preparing for Economic Challenges and Opportunities in 2025 and Beyond
Room location: Ambassador Ballroom
2025 and beyond will present opportunities, as well as challenges, to U.S. mold manufacturing executives. During this session, Michael Feuz, ITR Economics, will discuss the timing and actions necessary to navigate the twin challenges of inflation and interest rates as the U.S. mold building industry prepares for what’s coming this year and beyond.
3-3:30pm (Center Concourse): Supplier Trade Fair, Networking Break and Sponsor Exposé
3:30-4:30pm: Keynote, Joe Roberts
Breaking Through Adversity – the Power of Purpose and Possibility
Room Location: Ambassador Ballroom
In this impactful keynote, Joe Roberts, leadership coach, motivational speaker and author, takes his audience through a journey on how to build the resiliency needed to succeed in the face of adversity and change.
4:30-5pm: Awards Celebration
Room location: Ambassador Ballroom
During this awards celebration, AMBA will honor the 2025 Mold Builder of the Year and the 2025 Tooling Trailblazer of the Year, sponsored by Progressive Components. Additionally, AMBA will celebrate the winner of the Rising Star of the Year award, returning this year.
5-7pm: Awards Reception
Room location: Center Concourse
Join attendees and the winners of the AMBA Mold Builder of the Year Award, Tooling Trailblazer of the Year Award and the Rising Star Award in the Center Concourse for an Awards Reception at the conclusion of the Awards Celebration.
7pm: Day Concludes
May 9, 2025
6:45am: Registration Open
7-8am (Pantlind Ballroom): "Business over Breakfast" Connections
8-9:15am: Peer-to-Peer Roundtable Discussions
Attendees will have the chance to discuss challenges and solutions with functional area peers during these roundtable discussions.
Room Locations
- Owners, Presidents and CEO's: Vandenberg A
- Sales and Marketing: Vandenberg B
- Operations: Emerald A
- Workforce Development: Emerald B
9:15-9:30am (Center Concourse): Supplier Trade Fair, Networking Break and Sponsor Exposé
9:30-10:15am: The Balancing Act - New Hire Development and Company Performance
Room Location: Ambassador Ballroom
Moderator: Shelly Otenbaker, WayPoint Marketing Communications
Panelists: Murphy Forsyth and Steve Michon, Zero Tolerance; Lisa Pichotta, Nicolet Plastics; Hannah Belmont, Westminster Tool, Inc.
During this panel discussion, AMBA members will discuss how they balance the necessity of workforce growth and new employee training with the challenges that new, unseasoned employees pose to executives’ ability to run their companies efficiently and profitably.