Save the date! Join fellow manufacturing CEOs and senior executives for the premier leadership event shaping the future of manufacturing.
Gain exclusive insights from top manufacturing leaders and strategists
Connect with peers facing the same challenges in AI, automation, supply chain, labor and growth
Experience behind-the-scenes tours at premier manufacturing facilities
Walk away with practical strategies to strengthen your business and lead through uncertainty
Chairman & CEO
Barry-Wehmiller
Recently named #3 CEO in the world by Inc. Magazine, Bob Chapman transformed Barry-Wehmiller from a struggling $20M company to a thriving $3.6B global manufacturing enterprise over 50 years—not through traditional management practices, but through “Truly Human Leadership.” In an era where manufacturing must fill 4.6 million jobs by 2028 and 50% of employees leave because of their managers, Chapman’s people-centric approach offers a revolutionary path forward. At Barry-Wehmiller, they measure success “by the way they touch the lives of people,” achieving extraordinary business results through extraordinary care for their team members. Learn how this St. Louis-based manufacturing leader built a culture where people flourish, retention soars, and business results follow.
John Kramer, Chairman & CEO of Cambridge Engineering in Chesterfield, MO, has transformed a 60-year-old family business into one of the best-run mid-market manufacturers in America—achieving 13% average annual revenue growth over five years while earning Missouri’s “Manufacturer of the Year” award. Discover how Kramer and his team revolutionized their culture through daily plant-floor meetings, employee-made improvement videos (7,000 and counting!), lean principles, and an obsessive focus on human dignity. This isn’t just another corporate transformation story—it’s a roadmap showing how mid-market manufacturers can compete with anyone through the power of engaged people, continuous improvement, and authentic leadership.
Chairman & CEO
Cambridge Engineering
Special Pre-Event
Kickstart your experience with a deep dive into strategic transactions, valuations and growth opportunities in manufacturing M&A.
Learn from dealmakers, advisors and peers about what’s driving valuations, capital and consolidation trends in 2026.
registration options
Manufacturing M&A Dealmakers Forum
$695
Rate through Dec. 19
Recommended
Manufacturing Leaders 2026 Event Bundle
$2,295
Rate through Dec. 19
Manufacturing Leaders Summit
$1,995
Rate through Dec. 19
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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:
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.
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.
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.