The Brain Science Behind Achievement
Joe Roberts, Keynote Speaker
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. Roberts will share the evidence-based strategies and proven methods, such as the A + I – R Model and the Accountability Game white paper, that can help attendees build exceptional mental resilience, identify self-limiting beliefs and develop the confidence necessary to pursue personal and professional goals with clarity and purpose.
Emerging Leaders will learn how to:
Breakthrough Innovation: How to Unleash Your Hidden Ingenuity
Bill Stainton
The manufacturing industry lives on innovation and ingenuity. From collaborative robots and automation to big data and analytics, innovation and ingenuity have defined U.S. mold manufacturers. But what about those who don’t consider themselves "the creative ones?" What about those who think—as so many do—that innovation and ingenuity are for the others, but not them? With those members of our industry, Bill Stainton, a 29-time Emmy Award-winning keynote speaker, would like to have a word. Innovation, creativity and ingenuity are NOT part of a private club, but are instead an open playground—and everyone is invited! Come hear what Stainton has to say and learn how everyone can unleash their hidden ingenuity.
Purpose and Possibility – Succeeding through Adversity and Change
Joe Roberts
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. Sharing the story of his catastrophic failure and extraordinary success, Roberts empowers leaders to see beyond their perceived limitations to connect with their purpose and passion; achieve more with fewer resources, while overcoming roadblocks and a limiting mindset; and lead others to seek clarity on their potential and confidence to accomplish an endless realm of possibilities.
Conference Kick-Off
Troy Nix, AMBA Executive Director
Troy Nix is the executive director of the AMBA and serves as the master of ceremonies for AMBA Conference 2025. Known for his spirit, enthusiasm and belief in American manufacturing, Nix delivers an opening address that never fails to spark emotion in each attendee’s inner core.
Opportunity in Uncertainty: Navigating Changes in Today’s Global Supply Chain
Omar Nashashibi, Inside the Beltway Solutions
In his first few months in office, President Trump has shaken supply chains around the world and has begun creating opportunity for American manufacturers. Omar S. 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. From Canada and Mexico to the European Union and China, the President is expediting negotiations and acting quickly to impose tariffs and/or use them as negotiating tools. With access to recent insights on trade and taxes, attendees will be better able to navigate uncertainty over the tax on R&D, expiring individual rates, lower expensing for equipment and identify opportunities to reshore work as a result of the U.S. trade actions.
Preparing for Economic Challenges and Opportunities in 2025 and Beyond
Michael Feuz, ITR Economics
2025 and beyond will present opportunities, as well as challenges, to U.S. mold manufacturing executives. Inflation and interest rates will return on the wings of government spending and will be compounded by a tightening labor market, global demand and higher cost production inputs, from raw materials to electricity.
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 business owners prepare for what’s coming this year and beyond. Attendees will walk away with information on the domestic and global economic landscape, a sense of how conditions may vary by industry and the ways in which they can position their companies for maximum return in the coming years.
The Balancing Act - New Hire Development and Company Performance
Moderator: Shelly Otenbaker, WayPoint Marketing Communications
Panelists: Murphy Forsyth and Steve Michon, Zero Tolerance; Lisa Pichotta, Nicolet Plastics; Hannah Belmont, Westminster Tool, Inc.
U.S. mold manufacturers are quickly realizing how important workforce growth is to the future of their industry; but the integration of next-generation employees introduces new challenges that can impact executives’ ability to run their companies efficiently and profitably.
During this panel, AMBA members will discuss their workforce growth strategies and how they balance new employee learning with everyday company performance. Panel members will explore the challenges each has encountered as their workforce expands, the ways next-gen employees have impacted company culture and the opportunities companies have to drive future company success through workforce development.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS - INDUSTRY TRENDS
Guidance for the (Legally Compliant) Deployment of AI Tools
Presenter: Kris Chandler, Benesch
Room Location: Emerald A
As the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has expanded over the last couple of years, businesses are scrambling to take advantage of these new tools to increase business efficiencies and drive increased profits, all while navigating the significant pitfalls that exist through AI usage. Businesses must be attuned to a number of critical items when deciding whether and how to leverage AI – from ensuring compliance with increased regulatory obligations to ensuring that AI development and deployment meets a business’ core values.
This presentation will help companies lay a very practical foundation for the responsible and productive use of AI by identifying and examining the following:
Point-of-Entry Opportunities - EDM and Aerospace
Presenters: Joe Ballek, EDM Today; Charlie Kreitner, Maximum Mold
Room Location: Vandenberg A
Many moldmakers are looking to utilize their extra capacity by expanding into the aerospace industry. EDM Today Publisher Joe Ballek will explore the opportunities for EDM work in aerospace, whether directly with OEMs or through Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers. He will outline key compliance and certification requirements, including distinctions for defense-related work. Additionally, he will discuss the necessary equipment and investment considerations for entering the aerospace sector. The session also will cover effective marketing strategies for securing aerospace customers.
Optimizing Lead Generation for the Modern Sales Era
Presenters: Keith Bradt, Kallan Sales Development; Hillary Thomas, Westminster Tool
Room Location: Vandenberg B
In today’s evolving sales landscape, traditional lead generation tactics are no longer enough. This session will provide attendees with actionable tactics that will help attract high-quality leads, nurture them effectively and drive sustainable revenue growth in a competitive market. Attendees will walk away with practical ideas that will optimize their lead generation efforts, build a high-performing sales funnel and develop an efficient sales strategy that will support business growth.
Liability to Asset – Strengthen Cybersecurity through Employee Preparation
Presenters: Dean Rhoades, Federated Insurance; Ed Francis, Crystallume
Room Location: Emerald B
Cybercrime is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic exposures in business today – and for most businesses, employee behavior is what most often puts companies at risk. Hardly a day goes by that industry executives don’t hear about a security breach or incident involving the loss of sensitive data to hackers, and in most cases, it’s due to a lack of employee training, adherence to company policy or a myriad of other employee-related actions. Hear directly from Dean Rhoades, Federated Insurance, as he outlines the ways businesses can – and should – be preparing and training their workforce for an inevitable attack. AMBA member, Ed Francis, Crystallume, will join Rhoades as he outlines his story of how a cyber event affected his business, the ways in which they were unprepared and the steps they have taken since.
Roundtable Discussion: Challenges in Emerging Leadership
For the first time, AMBA will offer a roundtable discussion as a session during one of its breakout tracks. During this conversation, AMBA's Emerging Leaders will have the opportunity to address challenges they've faced in the workplace and review the opportunities available to them in their professional role. Attendees will be able to "workshop" challenging situations, connect with like-minded peers and walk away with new insight into the tools they can leverage to enhance their professional development and advance within their organization.
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
Entrepreneurs start their businesses for a variety of reasons, but no matter one’s background or purpose, every entrepreneur has the same goal – to run a successful business. No successful business is without its challenges, however, which is why owners often find themselves in need of support as they seek out tools to support future growth or the sale of a valuable business.
During this presentation, Sean LaFortune, Wipfli, will demonstrate how accounting and finance operations, such as internal controls, process and procedure, exposure to income and sales tax risk, inventory control, financial planning and analysis and more, can make the difference between a business that receives full value versus one that is deemed a risky investment by an outside stakeholder. Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of how to increase the enterprise value of their businesses, as well as how to make informed decisions regarding strategic initiatives.
Breaking through the Noise: AI Tools for Improved Process and Marketing Efficiency
Presenter: Shelly Otenbaker, WayPoint Marketing Communications
Room Location: Emerald A
AI tools are increasingly being integrated into marketing for content creation, particularly to enhance tasks like writing, SEO, videography and more. However, it can be overwhelming to understand which tools to use and when. Join Shelly Otenbaker, WayPoint Marketing Communications, as she explores the newest AI tools available to marketers and sales professionals and the decision-making considerations – such as cost, value and business goals - that will help ensure that investment in (and use of) these tools is worthwhile and productive.
The Automation Curve - Valuable Processes for the Shop Floor
Presenter: Jake Rohrer, Wipfli
Room Location: Ambassador Ballroom
Ready to take the next step in automation? This presentation will provide practical concepts and a clear path forward to make automation work for any manufacturer. Join Jake Rohrer, Wipfli, as he explores the maturity curve of automation, from the basics to advanced automation maturity. During his presentation, Rohrer will highlight a variety of examples that can be implemented to support shop floor performance. These ideas will range from automated email alerts and barcode scanning to shop floor IoT data collection, predictive asset maintenance, automated QC via visual AI and more. The information provided in this presentation will empower attendees with the tools and insights needed to thrive in the age of intelligent manufacturing.
Continuous Improvement Strategies at Work - Metrics & More
Presenters: Julie Lavanway, Hanson International; Kimberly Wojtkowiak, Crescent Industries
Room Location: Governors
Many AMBA members are struggling to maintain profitability, which has thrust the importance of continuous improvement initiatives and cost-savings programs into the limelight. From the development of strategic plans to leveraging capital expenditures and tools like Smartsheet, AMBA members Hanson International and Crescent Industries will outline the many ways operational efficiencies have impacted their bottom-lines and the importance that organizational buy-in has played in the integration of new programs, ideas and equipment.
Unleashing Your Hidden Ingenuity
(Cost: $65/attendee)
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.
Topical Rounds (Attendees Choose One of Four)
Kick off AMBA Conference 2025 with Topical Rounds, returning sessions where attendees will choose one of four topics related to U.S. mold manufacturing operations and discuss related challenges, best practices and new technologies with peers.
Supplier Trade Fair and Networking Breaks
Browse the tabletops, meet with industry suppliers exhibiting at AMBA Conference 2025 and network with other conference attendees.
Peer-to-Peer Exchanges
This session is back by popular demand! Growing peer-to-peer networks is a primary component of AMBA Conference 2025. Attendees will have the chance to interact with peer groups during this session on topics that are unique to their job functions in their specific groups.
Driven by past attendee feedback, these focused sessions are a perfect way for professionals to find new ideas, expand their professional networks and explore new methods of improvement. Functional areas to be covered include operations, owners/presidents/CEOs, sales and marketing and workforce development.