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Agenda

May 7, 2025

*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.

Session Details

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

REGISTRATION now open!

REGISTER HERE

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.

Session Details

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. 

Session Details

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.

Session Details

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

Session Details

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

Session Details

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.  

Session Details

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.  

Session Details

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

See Programming Details Here

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.

Session Details

10:15-10:30am: Event Wrap, Troy Nix

10:30am: Conference Adjourned

REGISTRATION open!

REGISTER HERE

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