Midwest Manufacturing Leadership Summit
Sponsored by:
October 22, 2025
Minneapolis Convention Center
What Sets This Summit Apart:
- Executive-Only Access: Engage in candid, high-level discussions with fellow directors, VPs, and C-suite leaders
- Strategic Focus: Tackle the challenges that matter most to manufacturing leadership
- Powerful Networking: Build relationships with the exact decision-makers you need to know
- Complete Experience: Your Summit pass includes full access to the expo floor, keynote presentations, and exclusive welcome reception
The Midwest Manufacturing Leadership Summit, presented by MD&M Midwest, serves as a valuable educational opportunity and as a platform for meaningful industry connections among manufacturing leaders. This premier event is curated for those with significant influence in supporting and growing the design and supply chain in Minnesota and the surrounding US Midwest.
High-level sessions will explore engineering and manufacturing in the North Start state and neighboring regions, focusing on medtech, packaging, materials, 3D printing, sustainability, and robotics/automation. This exclusive one-day experience is reserved for director-level titles and above, with complimentary access to the two-day MD&M Midwest expo included.
Watch this page for updates on all aspects of the Midwest Manufacturing Leadership Summit- designed to support the US Midwest as it navigates the economic landscape of 2025 and 2026.
Agenda At A Glance*
7:15-8 a.m.
Attendee, Speaker Check In, and Morning Refreshments Add to My Show Planner »
8-8:15 a.m.
Midwest Manufacturing Leadership Summit Welcome Statement Add to My Show Planner »
MD&M Midwest Group Event Director kicks off the Midwest Manufacturing Leadership Summit with a brief overview of Minnesota’s engineering and manufacturing industries.
Speaker: Suzanne Deffree, Group Event Director, Informa
8:15-9:15 a.m.
Manufacturing Industries Update Add to My Show Planner »
Leading journalists from global media brands MD+DI, Design News, and Packaging Digest guide this insightful discussion exploring the latest trends and innovations shaping the manufacturing industry. These distinguished editors will utilize their decades of experience and engineering knowledge to outline an understanding of what’s now and what’s next in manufacturing for attendees.
This session will cover:
- Key technological advancements driving industry growth
- Regulatory changes impacting product development and approval
- Headwinds Impacting the industry
- Impact of new innovations on traditional devices
After presenting, time will be allotted for Q&A with session attendees.
Speakers: Amanda Pedersen, Senior Editor, MD+DI; Daphne Ryan, Editor, Design News; Lisa Pierce, Executive Editor, Packaging Digest
9:15-9:45 a.m.
An Open Conversation with Minnesota State Representative Dave Pinto Add to My Show Planner »
Representative Dave Pinto is the co-chair of a key committee in the Minnesota House and a longtime leader on workforce issues. This session will consist of a conversation with Rep. Pinto about topics important to MD&M Midwest Manufacturing Leadership Summit attendees, including the relationship between public policy and economic competitiveness.
Speaker: State Representative Dave Pinto
9:45-10:15 a.m.
Networking Coffee Break
Break for refreshments while networking with your fellow Summit attendees.
10:15-11 a.m.
Managing Today’s Supply Chain Add to My Show Planner »
Various manufacturing organizations will contribute to this panel on opportunities and challenges in managing today’s supply chain.
Speakers: Frank Jaskulke, VP of Sales and Business Development at Avio Medtech Consulting; Christopher Cantrell, Senior Managing Director, Standards and Engineering Services at ASME; Brent Hahn, Board Member at Society of Plastic Engineers – Medical Plastics Division; and Helen Swanson, VP of Quality & Engineering at Sportech
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Fireside Chat: Rosemary Coates, Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute Add to My Show Planner »
In this informal, conversational interview, Rosemary Coates, Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute and president of Blue Silk Consulting, will share her expertise on the manufacturing supply chain in the current geopolitical environment.
Speaker: Rosemary Coates, Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute
12-1 p.m.
Midwest Manufacturing Leadership Summit Networking Lunch Add to My Show Planner »
Midwest Manufacturing Leadership Summit attendees will enjoy a buffet lunch while they network with their peers and partners among the fellow Summit attendees. This networking lunch is exclusive to Midwest Manufacturing Leadership Summit pass holders.
1-1:45 p.m.
Midwest Manufacturing Leadership Summit Exclusive Expo Tour Add to My Show Planner »
This 45-60 minute guided walking tour of the MD&M Midwest expo floor will visit influential suppliers, companies, and organizations, with information geared exclusively to Midwest Manufacturing Leadership Summit attendees.
Speaker/Tour Guide: Suzanne Deffree, Group Event Director, Informa
*Agenda is subject to change
Please check back for updates to the agenda.