Registration & Check-In

Continental Breakfast

Annual Meeting (Current Corporate and Certified Members Only)

Opening Plenary - Preparing for AI Agent Team Members

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept—it is actively reshaping how work gets done today.

In this keynote, Alim and Jared, introduces agentic AI—a new generation of AI systems that move beyond simple prompts to execute tasks, manage workflows, and operate as part of your team.

This session shifts the conversation from experimentation to application.

Through live demonstrations and real-world examples, attendees will see how AI agents can:

• Automate routine and time-intensive work
• Support faster, more informed decision-making
• Extend team capacity without increasing headcount
• Turn everyday operations into scalable, efficient systems

As highlighted in emerging models of work, businesses are beginning to move from using AI as a tool to integrating it as a functional part of their operating model—augmenting teams and accelerating output at a fraction of the cost and time.

This is not about future possibilities. It’s about what can be implemented now.

Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of where to start, how to apply AI within their own organizations, and how to begin unlocking immediate business value.

Morning Sessions

Session A: AI in Marketing & Predictive Analytics (LIVE & Virtual)

Panel discussion exploring how artificial intelligence and influencer marketing are reshaping how brands connect with audiences, personalize experiences, and drive measurable growth. The session blends strategic insights with actionable takeaways and collaborative idea generation.

Session B: Dodging Tariffs and Securing the Supply Chain

Tariff changes ripple beyond manufacturers and importers—they influence every layer of commerce, from B2B (business-to-business) transactions to B2C (business-to-consumer) retail dynamics, and extend even to B2G (business-to-government) contracts. Understanding consumer demand elasticity, especially during periods of inflation or high interest rates, enables businesses to align product pricing and fulfillment strategies sustainably.

Keynote Luncheon - Three Macro Spaces Shaping What’s Next

Building on the practical applications introduced in the opening keynote, [Minsoo Pak], a Certified Futurist, will provide a broader perspective on the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.

This session will explore where AI stands today, where the technology is heading, and what it means for businesses, organizations, and industries over the next several years. By connecting present-day use cases with emerging trends, the keynote will help leaders understand how to prepare their organizations for the next phase of AI-driven innovation.

Attendees will gain insight into how AI will reshape workflows, decision-making, and competitive advantage, and why organizations that learn to adopt and integrate AI strategically will be positioned to lead in the coming decade.

Together, the two keynotes provide both practical application and strategic foresight, helping leaders move from understanding AI to preparing their businesses for its continued evolution.

Afternoon Breakout Sessions

Session A: AI in Marketing & Predictive Analytics

The workshop is intended to have participants discuss and develop strategy to address the issues discussed in the morning session. The idea is to have a concept for each participant to take back to their organizations. The session will complete with a report out from the table's representative on their concept regarding their discussion.

Session B: Dodging Tariffs and Securing the Supply Chain

The workshop is intended to have participants discuss and develop strategy to address the issues discussed in the morning session. The idea is to have a concept for each participant to take back to their organizations. The session will complete with a report out from the table's representative on their concept regarding their discussion.

What Comes Next: From Agentic AI to Future Mapping - Building Your Plan

Building on the morning keynotes, this interactive breakout is where insight turns into action.

Led by Certified Futurist Minsoo Pak, alongside AI experts Alim and Jared, participants will work in facilitated groups to apply agentic AI and future mapping directly to their business.

In this hands-on session, you will:

• Translate AI trends into real business implications
• Identify where agentic AI can improve workflows and decision-making
• Map out a clear, practical path for implementation

This is not about theory. It’s about application.

You will leave with a tangible plan to begin integrating AI into your operations and positioning your organization for what’s next.

CDC Corporate Member Meeting (Corp Members Only)

Networking Reception

Registration & Check-In

MMPC Supplier Spotlight

Continental Breakfast & Networking

Tradeshow and Pavilions Ribbon Cutting

Tradeshow Floor and Pavilions Open

CPO Meeting (Invite Only)

Lunch

Closing Reception

MM365 Contracts & Capital (Matchmaking Experience)

A curated matchmaking experience that connects corporate and government buyers with NMSDC certified suppliers offering real business opportunities.

IRS Booth - Tax & Compliance Central

The IRS Booth gives businesses direct access to verified tax resources and experts who help attendees understand:

• How tax compliance impacts access to capital
• What lenders look for
• How to prepare records and documents
• Which credits or opportunities may apply

Credit Readiness & Repair HUB

This hub equips attendees with:

• On-the-spot credit snapshots
• Personalized action plans
• Lists of vendor accounts that report to credit bureaus

Ask Dolores (Financial Readiness) (LIVE & Virtual)

Ask Dolores, which includes live interviews with our speakers, helps demystify financial readiness and makes capital access approachable through storytelling and real conversation.

Loan Request Station - Apply for Capital Here

This is where conversations turn into action. Lenders will be available to accept:

• Pre-applications
• Funding inquiries
• Direct follow-up meeting requests

Participants can walk away with a real path to funding.

Lender and TA Speed Dating - Meet the Money Matchmakers

This is one of the most high-impact experiences. Attendees rotate in 10-minute sessions meeting with:

• Banks
• CDFIs
• TA providers

By the end, businesses leave with matched funding options and clear next steps.

Al Innovation Lab: See What’s Next. Experience What Works.

Curated by Plug and Play, the AI Innovation Lab is a live, interactive environment showcasing how artificial intelligence is being applied across industrial operations today.

This is not a static demo area. It’s a hands-on experience where attendees can engage directly with innovators building real solutions in automation, engineering, and production.

Explore how companies are:

• Using autonomous AI agents to accelerate engineering analysis and procurement cycles
• Unlocking and connecting legacy data to modern, model-based workflows
• Applying AI-powered visual inspection to improve speed, accuracy, and quality in manufacturing

Featured innovators include Rive AI, Polymath, and Lincode—each demonstrating practical applications that are already driving efficiency and competitive advantage.

Walk through, ask questions, and see how these technologies can be applied within your own operations.

Hackers at the Door: The Security Nightmare Every Business Faces

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in real-time, 1:1 and small-group conversations with cybersecurity experts to discuss their specific risks, questions, and concerns.

Bring your current challenges—from data protection and phishing threats to system vulnerabilities—and get practical, straightforward guidance on what your business should be doing now to reduce risk and strengthen your security posture.

This is a chance to move beyond general advice and walk away with clear, actionable next steps tailored to your business.

Meet MMSDC: Services & Growth Lab

Delegates Meet & Connect

Meet Your MBEIC Chairs & Co-Chairs Engagement Hour

Meet Your Corporate Development Committee (CDC) Engagement Hour

Key Partner Spotlight: DYP + Ecosystem Partners

Exploring ICE to EV Opportunities with Partner Organizations (Live)

Pivot to Power: Diversifying into EV, Energy, and Beyond

Your manufacturing expertise is the key to Michigan’s future. The shift from Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) isn't just about cars—it's a gateway to high-growth sectors like Clean Energy, Aerospace, and Defense.

Join us to learn how the MAST-P program helps you:

• Pivot with Purpose: Map your current capabilities to new, lucrative contracts in EV and Energy.
• Scale Smarter: Access the technical resources and funding needed to retool and diversify.
• Meet Your Next Partner: Connect with Tier 1 and corporate leaders looking for reliable, future-ready suppliers.

Stop by the pavilion to meet our partners and build your roadmap to an adjacent manufacturing future.

Featured Partners: Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC), Michigan Manufacturing Association (MMA), Automation Alley, University of Michigan Economic Growth Institute.

Alisio: AI-Powered Finance for Your Next Big Move

Stop letting tight cash flow stall your transition.

Alisio is an AI-driven operating system designed specifically for manufacturing finance. By analyzing over 170K real supplier transactions, Alisio optimizes your contract decisions and unlocks the hidden capital you need to pivot into EV, energy, and other emerging sectors.

Learn how to:

• Unfreeze Capital: Turn constrained cash flow into immediate, executable growth.
• Make Smarter Decisions: Use AI-backed insights to improve liquidity and reinvestment.
• Scale Faster: Get the financial clarity needed to fund equipment retooling and expansion.

Stop by for a demo and see how Alisio can fuel your business transition.

Getting Capital Ready for ICE to EV: What Lenders Look For

Transitioning from internal combustion engine (ICE) to electric vehicle (EV) opportunities requires more than strategy—it requires capital readiness.

This session is designed to help businesses understand how to position themselves to secure the financing needed to support this shift. Led by the Business Consortium Fund, a U.S. Treasury-certified CDFI focused on supply chain finance, participants will gain insight into what lenders look for and how to prepare for funding tied to contracts and growth.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Navigate common capital barriers, including cash flow gaps and payment cycles
• Align their business with lender expectations around cash flow, credit, and capacity
• Leverage contract-based financing to support growth in EV and advanced manufacturing

Whether you are entering the EV supply chain or expanding existing capabilities, this session provides a clear path to becoming capital-ready and competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Building Cross-Border Partnerships: Opportunities from Guanajuato to the U.S.

This session explores how Guanajuato is positioning itself as a leading hub in North America’s nearshoring movement. Secretary Cristina Villaseñor outlines the state’s investment strategy, innovation priorities, and partnership approach under USMCA, offering practical insights for companies evaluating expansion, supply chain shifts, or cross-border collaboration.

From Nearshoring to Execution

This session outlines the key steps required to plan, launch, and operate a manufacturing facility in Mexico. The discussion covers essential considerations for site selection, regulatory compliance, workforce planning, and operational readiness for companies evaluating nearshoring opportunities.

From Australia to the World: How Expanding Access Strengthens Economies

In this session, Supply Nation CEO Kate Russell shares how Australia’s national supplier diversity model connects Indigenous‑owned businesses with corporate and government buyers. Attendees will gain perspective on global best practices, emerging opportunities, and strategies that can strengthen inclusive procurement efforts across markets.