The State of WI Manufacturing: AI, Innovation & Impact

The show covers advanced manufacturing, production and machining, tool and die, stamping and fabrication, automation, and metrology. Attendees can see machinery operating and explore manufacturing technologies, production processes, and exhibitor solutions. Three Innovation Corner Seminar Room sessions are listed for the first day, with titles and presenters to be announced.

The event features exhibits in automation, robotics, smart manufacturing, precision machining, software, industrial IoT, and cybersecurity, alongside an executive keynote panel series and presentations, technology demonstrations, and interactive Knowledge Bars. The Knowledge Bars address how technology, innovation, and AI can help small and medium-sized manufacturers adopt technology. Featured technology areas also include additive manufacturing, advanced materials, digital transformation, energy and environmental efficiency, and manufacturing engineering. SME Mission Critical: Workforce 2030 focuses on manufacturers’ workforce challenges.

Exhibit areas include automation, robotics, smart manufacturing, precision machining, software solutions, industrial IoT, and cybersecurity. The Executive Perspectives series features panels with manufacturing-company executives and technology providers; Knowledge Bars cover advanced manufacturing technologies and how innovation and AI adoption can address technology challenges for small and midsize manufacturers. Other listed features include the SME Mission Critical: Workforce 2030 experience on manufacturers’ workforce challenges; a Pop Up Factory demonstrating an assembly and inspection workflow that captures data and connects apps, devices, and analytics; and a Corporate and Institutional Roundtable addressing the manufacturing skills gap, alignment between academic outcomes and workforce needs, and strategies for manufacturing’s future. The Bright Minds College Experience includes executive chats, student-led sessions, hands-on exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies, industry roundtables, and discussions about the manufacturing workforce.

The program combines manufacturing exhibits with an executive perspectives keynote panel series and featured presentations across manufacturing disciplines. Exhibit and technology areas include automation, robotics, smart manufacturing, precision machining, additive manufacturing, software, industrial IoT, advanced materials, cybersecurity, and energy and environmental efficiency. The Smart Manufacturing Experience Knowledge Bars focus on advanced manufacturing technologies and how technology, innovation, and AI can help small and medium-sized manufacturers address technology adoption challenges. The event also features SME Mission Critical: Workforce 2030, focused on manufacturers’ workforce challenges, and the Bright Minds College Experience, with panels, roundtables, executive insights, peer learning, and hands-on exploration of manufacturing technologies.

Sessions cover manufacturing profitability; securing operational technology on the plant floor; legal issues facing Georgia manufacturers; leadership, culture, and continuous improvement in high-performance plants; and AI, marketing, and relationship strategies for business growth. The program also features a Georgia Manufacturing Workforce Forum focused on building the workforce manufacturers need.

This half-day executive strategy forum uses panel discussions and open exchange to address the theme “Technology, Production and ‘New’ Manufacturing.” Attendance is limited to C-suite and senior executives at manufacturing companies.

The first program day examines the move from automated processes toward intelligent, connected systems capable of decision-making, optimization, and adaptive control. Sessions cover programmable cloud laboratory nodes for AI materials and manufacturing, Sandia’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation, the Alabama Materials Institute, and an autonomous robotic metallurgist materials innovation platform. The program also connects self-driving and autonomous laboratory efforts associated with the Genesis Mission and Programmable Cloud Laboratories agendas to real-world applications, collaboration, and the future of autonomous manufacturing systems. An industry technology exhibition and demonstrations are included. The second program day explores Internet of Things for Manufacturing (IoTfM) use cases, implementation lessons, standards for connectivity and interoperability, and the future direction of IoTfM. Sessions address OPC UA, digital technologies and digital twins, factory-floor digital transformation, automation and additive manufacturing, manufacturing data, practical industrial IoT, and technologies shaping future factories. The program also includes advanced manufacturing pilot facility tour stations and demonstrations.

The event features exhibits in automation, robotics, smart manufacturing, precision machining, software solutions, industrial IoT, and cybersecurity. Its Executive Perspectives series is a thought-leadership panel program featuring manufacturing-company executives and technology providers; featured presentations cover diverse manufacturing disciplines. The Smart Manufacturing Experience includes exhibits on smart manufacturing and cybersecurity, plus Knowledge Bar conversations about advanced manufacturing technology, innovation, AI, and technology-adoption challenges for small and medium-sized manufacturers. SME Mission Critical: Workforce 2030 focuses on manufacturers’ workforce challenges.

The program includes keynotes, panels, breakouts, and interactive roundtables on steel-industry conditions; fabrication businesses, leadership, and industry outlook; AI and digitization in manufacturing; shop-floor equipment use cases and return on investment; and manufacturing’s economic and financial outlook. Sessions also address profitability, capital investment, business growth, tariffs, steel, leadership development, recruitment, small- and midsize-manufacturer growth, and potential changes to tax policy, OSHA and EPA regulations, and tariffs. Roundtable topics include culture, marketing, AI, and operations.