AGENDA
Our 2-day Trade Show & Conference features 3 Keynote Presentations, 25 Breakout Conference Sessions and a variety of additional networking and connecting opportunities! Session speakers and descriptions will be announced soon.
Monday, February 24th
PRE-CONFERENCE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS!
4:00PM - 6:00PM
Manufacturing Happy Hour w/ Chris Luecke & Drew Crowe | Trade Show Exhibit Floor
Chris Luecke and Drew "The MFG" Crowe are two St. Louis natives shaking things up in the manufacturing industry. Both getting their start on the shop floor and in the field, they now focus on shining the spotlight on the companies, people and products made right here in our country, while sharing the incredible opportunities this industry has to offer with the next generation of workforce.
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Chris is the host of the Manufacturing Happy Hour Podcast, one of the largest manufacturing-focused podcasts out there. Every week he sits down with owners, leaders and subject matter experts to discuss the latest industry topics and trends.
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Drew is the face and force behind the New American Manufacturing Renaissance, an organization focused on providing access and awareness to 21st Century Manufacturing Skills for underserved communities and students. He travels around the country sharing his story of how manufacturing saved him and altered the course of his future.
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Join us, Chris and Drew for a pre-conference Networking Happy Hour with fellow attendees and exhibitors!
6:00PM - 8:00PM
2025 Coolest Things Made in the Ozarks Award Ceremony | Ballroom
In partnership with Springfield Business Journal and Presenting Sponsor, Higginbotham, we are excited to have the 2025 Coolest Things Made in the Ozarks Award Ceremony as part of our Midwest Manufacturers Trade Show & Conference!
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Sixteen products manufactured across southwest Missouri will be selected for inclusion in these awards. These products are chosen to represent the diversity in our manufacturing community and showcase the best of Ozarks ingenuity and impact. In addition, an award will be given for Plant Manager of the Year.
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For more information and to register to attend, click here!
Tuesday, February 25th
7:00AM - 5:00PM
9:00AM - 5:00PM
REGISTRATION OPEN
EXHIBIT HALL OPEN TO ATTENDEES
8:00 - 9:00AM
Opening Keynote: Chris Luecke & Drew Crowe
Conference
Tracks
Track Sponsors
Leadership
Economic Playbook
Workforce/HR
Operations & Innovation
Marketing
10:30 - 11:20AM
"We've Been Acquired... Now What?"
Session Title Coming Soon
Updates on Labor Laws and Regulations
CMMC Final Ruling – How to Prepare for 2025
Scaling Sales with Less
11:30AM - 1:00PM
Lunch Keynote: Chris Kuehl
"Economic Forecast: Manufacturing 2025"
1:30 - 2:20PM
Industry 4.0 Starting Small, Then Scale – A MFG's Story
Economic Forecast: Manufacturing 2025 – A Deeper Dive
How EAPs Support Employee Behavioral Health & Workplace Safety
Building Healthy Work Environments
Messaging Based on Audience Awareness
3:30 - 4:20PM
Lead with Purpose: Project Management Principles
3 Important Business Lessons to Propel Growth
Session Title Coming Soon
Creating an AI Traction Plan for Your Organization
Digital Marketing Strategies for Employee
Recruitment
5:00PM - 7:30PM
Reception, Dinner, Keynote Presentation & MO MFG HoF Ceremony | Ballroom
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Reception and Dinner
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Keynote Presentation: Rudy Ruettiger
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Missouri Manufacturers Hall of Fame Ceremony
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Class of 2025 Induction​
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​Nominations are OPEN, click here!
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Keynote: Rudy Ruettiger
Class of 2025 Induction Ceremony
Wednesday, February 26th
7:30AM - 1:30PM
8:00AM - 1:30PM
REGISTRATION OPEN
EXHIBIT HALL OPEN TO ATTENDEES
Conference
Tracks
Track Sponsors
Leadership
Economic Playbook
Workforce/HR
Operations & Innovation
Marketing
9:00 - 9:50AM
Thinking About Modernizing or Expanding Your Facility
Benchmarking North American Manufacturing
Attracting & Retaining Talent in a Rural vs. Urban Setting
Easing into Automation – Projects & Pitfalls
The Culture of Connection
10:30 - 11:20AM
Advanced Manufacturing on the Horizon
New Administration – What's in Store for Manufacturing?
Developing Effective Workplace Drug Policies
Modernizing Data Collection from Plant Floor to Front Office
Session Title Coming Soon
12:00 - 1:30PM
Lunch & Event Wrap-Up
Session times, topics and speakers are subject to change.
Reserve Your Room!
The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel provides attendees, exhibitors and sponsors exceptional accommodation for the 2025 Midwest Manufacturers Trade Show & Conference.
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Book by January 25, 2025 to receive the event discount rate!
Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel​
200 East Main St, Branson, MO 65616