Lead Smarter, Operate Better, Grow Faster

Manufacturing Leadership Summit

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

Your Customers Demand Faster, Better and Cheaper

Alternatives are just a click away, putting unrelenting pressure on you to deliver design innovation, leaner supply chains and world-class customer support. Meanwhile, you face shortages in key technical positions, rising costs and new global competitors.

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. 

Featured Speakers

Brent Duersch

Managing Director, EY-Nottingham Spirk Innovation Hub, Ernst & Young LLP

Keith Ferrazzi

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

Lourenco Goncalves

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cleveland-Cliffs

Brent has developed disruptive products, services and business models that optimize manufacturing efficiency and growth. He will share how he helps companies commercialize innovations and implement digital transformations that drive measurable productivity gains—and how you can too.

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.

Lourenco has elevated Cleveland-Cliffs into the largest flat-rolled steel company and top iron ore pellet producer in North America. Learn how he executed major acquisitions, expanded into metallics and built the world’s most modern Direct Reduction plant and be inspired to expand your business with practical takeaways.

Chetan Gupta

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

Kerim Kfuri

Author, Supply Chain Ups and Downs; President & CEO, The Atlas Network

John Nottingham

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

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.

Kerim has built and led global supply chain enterprises, optimizing logistics, manufacturing and distribution across industries. A recognized expert in supply chain strategy, use his insights to drive efficiency and operational excellence in your organization.

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.

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

5:30 - 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

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

Peer 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

From Risk to Reward: Protecting the Path to Growth

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$2,295Rate Through March 28
  • 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$1,895Rate Through March 28
  • 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 March 28, 2025

$2,295

$1,895/person

Book after March 28, 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

TXI Digital

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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.