Programming for AMBA Conference 2026 is in progress. All topics and presenters are subject to change.
Inside High Performance: Human Dynamics that Drive Results
Mike Lee, Keynote Speaker
In this immersive two-hour workshop, Mike Lee will help participants uncover the human dynamics that fuel stronger connections, deeper engagement and more impactful leadership across teams and organizations. Drawing on cutting-edge insights from human behavior and performance science, he equips attendees with practical frameworks to handle stress more skillfully and make decisions with greater clarity and confidence. Through interactive exercises and real-world examples, attendees will leave the workshop with the tools to elevate personal effectiveness, enhance team dynamics and sustain high performance over time.
From Potential Leads to Profitable Sales - The Power of Discovery
Keith Bradt, Kallen Sales Development
Join AMBA sales and marketing professionals for an in-depth, two-hour workshop on how a strategic sales approach can transform potential leads into bottom-line profit. Attendees will explore the key qualification fundamentals that can help sales teams better evaluate business opportunities. Through a practical “Green, Yellow, Red” framework, session participants will better understand how to examine leads and assess alignment, risk and strategic fit. Attendees will leave the session with a structured, repeatable discovery framework that will help protect pipeline quality, improve win rates and help them move from a transactional selling strategy to a focus on forming long-term, strategic partnerships.
Nice Bike: Creating Authentic Connections
Mark Scharenbroich, Keynote Speaker
Mix thousands and thousands of black leather, bandana-wearing, tattoo-bearing Harley-Davidson riders with a 100th Anniversary and one beige rental car and the end result will be the perfect metaphor for connecting with others: “Nice Bike.” Nice Bike acts as a powerful catalyst to help build stronger, more unified teams. The message inspires audience members to be more engaged and passionate about connecting with others through three strong actions: acknowledge, honor and connect.
Peak Performance in an Age of Distraction
Mike Lee, Keynote Speaker
In today's "do more with less", hustle-and-grind culture, attention spans are at an all-time low when focus has never been more paramount. This creates the biggest barrier to sustaining peak performance, and creates a constant battleground in one's mind for the present moment. During this high-impact program, Mike Lee will share the proven strategies and powerful mindsets he’s learned from basketball’s elite, like MVPs Steph Curry and Joel Embiid. Lee will outline how these counter-cultural peak performance principles cross over from the court to business and life. Audience members will walk away equipped wih the mindsets, strategies and exercises to transcend the noise and find presnce in an age of distraction, poise in an age of disruption and performance in an age of overwhelming demands.
Conference Kick-Off
Troy Nix, AMBA Executive Director
Troy Nix is the executive director of the AMBA and serves as the emcee for AMBA Conference 2026. 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. This year’s message will focus on Nix’s personal life experiences and the best practices that can power personal and professional growth. Nix’s tag line “America Is What America Makes” is an essential ideal that motivates those attending the conference to strive for excellence.
The Latest in Washington: The White House, Congress and AMBA
Omar Nashashibi, Inside the Beltway Solutions
In this session, Omar S. Nashashibi, Inside the Beltway Solutions, LLC, will update the AMBA on the latest with tariffs on molds and other products made of steel, the impact of the Supreme Court’s review of the global reciprocal tariffs, trade discussions with Mexico over Chinese transshipments in North America, and the latest legislative and regulatory developments.
AI Readiness: Do You Have the Luxury to Wait?
Room Location: Ambassador Ballroom
Moderator: Christina Fuges, MoldMaking Technology
Panelists: Tucker Stolberg, Tolerance Tool; Marion Wells, Human Asset Management; Vince Sassano, Strategic Performance Company
AI is everywhere - but just because it’s easily accessible doesn’t mean that manufacturers are ready for its implementation. During this panel session, AMBA members and industry suppliers will answer the question, “What does it actually take to be ready?” This discussion will review the people, process and data behind successful adoption and move beyond tools and applications to address the real barriers shops face: lack of time, unclear ownership, data concerns and team resistance. Panelists will explore why AI readiness is not a yes-or-no decision, but an ongoing journey. They will also tackle the tension between risk and urgency: how to move forward without exposing your business, and why waiting may be the bigger risk. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of where they stand today, what “ready” really means and how to take practical first steps without overthinking or overcommitting.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS - BUSINESS STRATEGIES
Build the Team, Power the Future: Talent in Action
Presenters: Matt Walters, Dynamic Group; Andy Janik, Sullivan Tool
In AMBA’s 2026 Business Forecast Report, over 50% of its respondents reported that access to skilled labor and unfilled positions continues to be a significant obstacle. Despite this industry-wide challenge, some manufacturers – like AMBA members Sullivan Tool and Dynamic Group – are not only effectively attracting and training next-generation employees, but are leveraging their enthusiasm to embrace new technologies (such as AI), improve processes, identify continuous improvement opportunities, drive profitability and more. During this breakout session, attendees will hear how these businesses are leading their organizations’ next-gen talent acquisition and employee management strategies and, simultaneously, positively impacting business operations.
From Data to Dollars: Turning Real-Time Insights into Margin Growth
Presenters: Mike Devereux, Wipfli; Jason Sandhu, Elba Tool
In its most recent survey, NAM’s Manufacturing Leadership Council reported that 70% of manufacturers enter data manually. However, this presents a myriad of challenges, not the least of which is limited access to real-time data that can help business owners make better, bottom-line impacting decisions. Join Mike Devereux, Wipfli Advisory LLC, as he explores the practical approaches that companies have used to implement technology, data collection and real-time information to improve their understanding of operational processes and profitability. Real-time data supports management with identifying reasons for unplanned downtime, validating pricing decisions, forecasting internal schedule performance, machining performance evaluation and more. Devereux’s presentation will be complimented by Jason Sandhu, Elba Tool, who will provide insight into how he has transformed his company’s systems and leveraged real-time data to improve lead-times, scheduling, profitability, machine utilization and PMs, forecasting and more.
Calibrating Your Culture for the AI Coworker
Presenters: Vince Sassano, Strategic Performance Company; Marion Wells, Human Asset Management
AI has transitioned from a novelty to a "digital coworker." However, the bridge between a slick vendor demo and real-world ROI isn't the code - it’s your people. This interactive session, geared towards leadership teams, operations managers and decision makers, moves past the hype to provide a strategic diagnostic for a 2026 roadmap. Attendees will learn how to assess their “Culture Readiness,” validate their “Data Trust” and calculate the “Cost of Inaction.” They will walk away with a pre-investment checklist designed to ensure AI spend translates into measurable productivity rather than "expensive shelfware."
BREAKOUT SESSIONS - TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
From Quote to Cut - Real-World AI Applications in Mold Shops
Presenter: Ralph Picko, Cimatron; Steve Michon, Zero Tolerance; Evan Michon, Zero Tolerance
During this session, attendees will gain a practical understanding of how AI tools can be applied directly on the shop floor to improve efficiency, workflow and decision making. Zero Tolerance owner Steve Michon, alongside his son, Evan, will showcase real-world applications such as AI-assisted quoting, leveraging data for 3D printing, streamlining strategic planning and technical challenge resolution through guided AI use. These insights will be complemented by perspectives from Ralph Picklo, Cimatron, whose presentation on AI for mold design and manufacturing will highlight how AI accelerates design workflows, improves precision and helps mold builders remain competitive through smarter, data-driven processes.
Scaling with AI: Building Durable, Data-Driven Organizations
Presenter: Derek Moeller, CognitionWorks
During this breakout session, Derek Moeller, CognitionWorks, will describe the ways in which businesses can use AI and related technologies to develop intelligent, scalable systems that drive consistency and accelerate growth. Moeller will provide insight into how AI-powered, digital workflows can reduce reliance on paper, provide better access to real-time data, improve the capture of tribal knowledge and help standardize processes so that they are more repeatable and reportable. Additionally, attendees will better understand how these processes and platforms can help them make actionable, data-based decisions, beyond what’s provided by traditional ERP systems.
A Birds Eye View of the Automation Journey
Presenter: Michael Thiessen, Tebis
AI is a widely discussed topic and is often positioned as a fix for broken processes. What is less often discussed, however, is the natural intelligence already built into robust solutions. Join Michael Thiessen, Tebis, as he outlines the ways in which U.S. mold builders can leverage their "natural intelligence" and couple it with AI and automation-driven efforts to elevate organizational capabilities. Thiessen's presentation will be complimented by AMBA member case studies outlining their automation journeys, technology investment and ROI.
Breakout Discussion: Sales and Marketing - Technology Investment, Implementation and ROI
AMBA will again offer a roundtable discussion as a breakout session, this time during its technology track. During this conversation, AMBA's sales and marketing professionals will discuss current challenges related to sales and marketing responsibilities and the available technology platforms that can help address them. Attendees will connect with like-minded peers to discuss current and past technology investment, implementation and ROI and wil walk away with new insight into tools that can enhance productivity and organizational efficiency.
The Leader’s Advantage: Building a Culture of Connection
(Cost: $65/attendee)
Room Location: Imperial Ballroom
The best leaders don’t just manage processes—they build relationships. In this engaging luncheon presentation, Emmy Award-winning speaker and author of Nice Bike – Making Meaningful Connections on the Road of Life, Mark Scharenbroich, shares stories and insights on how great leaders create cultures where people feel valued and motivated to contribute their best. Attendees will discover how small moments of acknowledgement and connection can strengthen trust, improve teamwork and elevate leadership throughout an organization. Because when leaders connect with people in meaningful ways...performance follows.
Peer Networking Exchanges
Room Locations: TBD
Attendees will have the chance to discuss challenges and solutions with functional area peers during these roundtable discussions.