Leading through uncertainty

2025 Manufacturing Leadership Summit

New Ideas for a New Age of Challenges and Opportunities

Featuring Behind-the-Scenes Tours at Cleveland-Cliffs and EY-Nottingham Spirk Innovation Hub

JUST ANNOUNCED
CEO Town Hall: Tariffs, Trade and
the Future of Making Things In America

Two of America’s most well-known and respected manufacturing leaders join us for an frank session of peer-to-peer learning, Q&A and candid conversation. Engage directly with these veteran CEOs to learn how they are leading their organizations through this period of change—how they are navigating uncertainty, working on their supply chains, engaging with customers, building their workforces, planning for the future and finding opportunity amid the challenges, with lessons for every U.S. manufacturing leader in this tricky time.

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Farooq Kathwari

Chairman, President and CEO, Ethan Allen Interiors

Nick Pinchuk

Chairman and CEO, Snap-On

Tariffs to Technology, Labor Shortages to Supply Chain Upheaval—What to Do?

Shocks from Washington and Silicon Valley are putting unrelenting pressure on you to deliver amid unprecedented uncertainty. To win, you need an edge. You need resilience. You need fresh ways of thinking. We can help.

Join your peers at Chief Executive’s 12th Annual Manufacturing Leadership Summit to talk strategy, build relationships, and learn about new ideas, technology and tactics that will help your company thrive.

The Summit is the place for manufacturing CEOs who are looking to:

Create growth and profitability in a tumultuous time

Embrace new digital technologies like AI intelligently

Attract and develop extraordinary leaders for their companies

Be inspired and challenged by peer CEOs from across the nation

Go Behind-the-Scenes

Learn Practical Growth Strategies From a Top Producer

Experience the innovative design and leadership behind the top steel producer in the US— Cleveland-Cliffs’ Cleveland Works. Recognized as one of the most productive integrated facilities in the world, step out of your office and into the realm of innovation and inspiration.

Find Inspiration for Your Next Idea at a Leading Innovation Lab

Visit the EY-Nottingham Spirk Innovation Hub to see how the synergistic production space ensures its investments pay off—with a 95% commercialization success rate. Dream up your next ideas as you witness the process used to bring concepts to life.

Network with Fellow Attendees at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Enjoy an exclusive dinner and reception at the legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, where the stories of music’s greatest icons come alive. Explore interactive exhibits and rare memorabilia that celebrate the creativity and innovation of rock and roll—an inspiring backdrop for an evening of networking and connection. 

Industry Experts With Real Solutions

Keith Ferrazzi

Executive Coach and Bestselling Author, Never Lead Alone: 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship; Leading Without Authority; Never Eat Alone

Chetan Gupta

General Manager, Advanced AI Research Center, Hitachi, leader of Hitachi’s Global AI Center of Excellence

Farooq Kathwari

Chairman, President and CEO, Ethan Allen Interiors

John Nottingham

Co-CEO, Nottingham Spirk; Managing Partner, Nottingham Unlimited Ventures

Nick Pinchuk

Chairman and CEO, Snap-On

Keith is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of the world’s most influential executive coaches. With over two decades of experience advising Fortune 500 leaders, he will share his secrets to help you lead your teams to drive innovation, efficiency and breakthrough results.

Chetan is a leading expert in Industrial AI, driving Hitachi’s global AI initiatives across research, enterprise and industrial applications. With over 200 papers and patents, see how his work can help you shape the future of AI-driven innovation in your operations.

Learn how the CEO of the largest and most high-profile furniture maker with significant operations still in the U.S is leading his organization through this period of change and challenge.

John has helped manufacturing leaders turn innovative ideas into commercially successful products, with over 1,350 patents and $50 billion in sales. Use his strategies for driving breakthrough advancements in industrial design, automation and product development to be successful in an era of rapid technological change.

One of the most respected, influential voices in global industrial manufacturing joins us to discuss tariffs, trade and the future of manufacturing in America, sharing his wisdom and insights at this tricky time.

Agenda Highlights

May 6

5:30 - 8:30 pm

Welcome Reception

Dutch Dinners for interested attendees

May 7

8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Cleveland Cliffs: How a 150-year-old Company Embraces Innovation

AI Gets Real in Manufacturing

Untapped Talent: The Underused Secrets to Win the Labor War

Peer Roundtables 

Offsite for Tour of Cleveland Cliffs

Networking Reception and Dinner
Cleveland Cliffs: How a 150-year-old Company Embraces Innovation

A fireside chat with Lourenco Goncalves, the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cleveland Cliffs 

May 8

7:30 am - 2:00 pm

Architecting a Transformation

Turning Worker Risks into Resiliency

The Future Supply Chain: Asking “What If” to Decide “What’s Next”

Offsite Tour

Agenda Highlights

May 6

5:00 - 8:30 pm

Welcome Reception at the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET) Headquarters

Dutch Dinners for interested attendees

May 7

8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Tackling Tariffs 2025: A Practical, Real-World Supply Chain Approach

AI Gets Real in Manufacturing

From Risk to Reward: Protecting the Path to Growth

Factory Automation: Navigating New Frontiers of Intelligent Production

Lunch and Working Roundtables 

Offsite Tour of Cleveland-Cliffs

Networking Reception and Dinner at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

May 8

7:30 am - 2:00 pm

The Future of Manufacturing: Teamship for a Rapidly Changing Industry

CEO Working Session: Tariffs, Trade and the Future of Making Things in America

The Innovation Blueprint: From Concept to Commercialization

Offsite Tour of EY-Nottingham Spirk Innovation Hub

Why Attend

Benefit from the hard-won lessons of other successful manufacturing industries to save months—or even years—of costly trial-and-error

Understand how mid-market companies are leveraging AI, automation and robotics to scale efficiencies on the plant floor

Learn new ways to recruit employees in today’s tight labor market and techniques to inspire your team to embrace innovation

Hone your strategies with insights from some of the most respected advisers in the industry

Join us at the Manufacturing Leadership Summit 2024 to not only witness but actively participate in shaping the future of manufacturing. Engage with industry leaders, embrace new strategies, and arm yourself with the knowledge to lead in these transformative times.

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS

Individual
Standard Registration
$2,495
  • All general and roundtable sessions

  • Opening cocktail party

  • Meals & networking receptions

  • Private tours and exclusive access to manufacturing experts

Team of 2+
Per Person Registration
$1,995
  • All general and roundtable sessions

  • Opening cocktail party

  • Meals & networking receptions

  • Private tours and exclusive access to manufacturing experts

DEADLINE

INDIVIDUAL

TEAM OF 2+

Book by April 11, 2025

$2,295

$1,895/person

Book after April 11, 2025

$2,495

$1,995/person

What Past Attendees Have to Say:

Speakers were very informative. The tours demonstrated tech, processes and ideas that were extremely useful.
Darren Seabrook
Many relevant topics were presented. I always learn something when viewing another manufacturing operation.
Robert Ogilbee
Very organized, a lot packed into 2 days. New concepts discussed, and very professional. I enjoyed the tours, interviews and networking reception.
Paul Elia
The speakers had exceptional stories. Their topics related to issues happening at our facility. Great!
2024 Manufacturing Leadership Summit Attendee

Over a Decade of Manufacturing Excellence

Celebrating its 12th year, the Manufacturing Leadership Summit (formerly known as the Smart Manufacturing Summit) has consistently served as the premier gathering for CEOs and senior executives in the manufacturing industry.

Renowned for its exclusive, behind-the-scenes tours of cutting-edge facilities, the summit offers participants a rare look at real-time innovation and operational excellence. Each year, the event has facilitated a rich exchange of insights and strategies, helping leaders not only expand their professional networks but also gain practical knowledge to drive growth and modernize their businesses.

Join us to connect with peers, uncover new perspectives, and shape the future of manufacturing.

VENUE

The Westin Cleveland Downtown

The Westin Cleveland Downtown, located in the heart of the city, offers an exceptional venue for the Manufacturing Leadership Summit. Overlooking Lake Erie and just minutes from Cleveland’s classic attractions, The Westin is the ideal location for executives to connect and engage in valuable conversations. With luxurious accommodations and modern meeting spaces, it provides the perfect environment for strategic discussions and networking.

Attendees can take advantage of room block with discounted rate of $209/night.

SPONSORS

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

Interested in Sponsorship?

Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

Limited space available.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS

General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.