2024 Connecticut Manufacturing Summit

The October 2 Connecticut Manufacturing Summit, a collaborative event produced by the Office of Manufacturing, American Manufacturing Hall of Fame, CCAT, and CBIA, featured Ken Gronbach as keynote speaker, addressing the science of shifting demography, giving real-life examples relevant to today’s culture, business climate, and economy.

The summit will also featured the release of the 2024 Connecticut Manufacturing Report, with a panel of manufacturing leaders sharing how they are managing today’s economic and operational challenges.

MIT’s Ben Armstrong discussed manufacturing automation and the challenges currently facing small and medium manufacturers, and what investments they should consider.

Manufacturers’ achievements were recgnized through the Connecticut District Export Council Awards, the Pathway Award for Excellence in Manufacturing, and the winner of the inaugural Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut challenge.

7:30 am | Check-In & Networking Breakfast

8:30 am | Welcome

• Governor Ned Lamont 

8:40 am | Commissioner Dan O’Keefe, Department of Economic & Community Development

8:55 am | Heather Evans, U.S Department of Commerce

International Trade Administration deputy assistant secretary for manufacturing Heather Evans talks with Connecticut chief manufacturing officer Paul Lavoie about ways the White House and the ITA support U.S. manufacturers in global competition and shares key goals and accomplishments.

9:15 am | 2024 Connecticut Manufacturing Report: Results & Insights

• Introduction: Chris DiPentima, president & CEO, CBIA
• Moderator: Matt Dollard, Principal, Management Consulting, RSM
• Jaclyn Epstein, Chief Operating Officer, Mica Corporation
• Brian Montanari, President & CEO, HABCO Industries
• Martha Paluch Prou, VP, Administration & Compliance, Phoenix Manufacturing 

10:15 am | Connecticut Manufacturing Awards

• Presented by TD Bank, CONNSTEP, and ReadyCT

10:25 am | Connecticut Export Awards

• Presented by the Connecticut District Export Council, U.S. Commercial Service, and Shipman & Goodwin

10:40 am | Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut

• Presented by CBIA, Connecticut Office of Manufacturing, CONNSTEP, and CliftonLarsonAllen

11 am | Networking Break

11:30 am | Morning Keynote: Ken Gronbach—Demographic Strategies for Uncertain Times

• Ken Gronbach presents a fresh perspective on demographics, revealing insights to forecast markets, identify thriving and struggling nations, and understand workforce changes—crucial for strategic planning.

12:45 pm |  Lunch with Spotlight from the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame

• A walking experience through the past 350 years of manufacturing innovation with 50 Firsts—a look at Connecticut’s inventions over the years.
• Speaker: Janet Prisloe, Principal, Assurance, CliftonLarsonAllen

1:45 pm | Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology on Innovation

• CCAT’s Ron Angelo, Amy Thompson, Jacquelynn Garofano, and their tech partners, address global trends and the importance of innovation and competitiveness. Don’t miss the immersive technology demonstration on the floor.

2:15 pm | Afternoon Keynote: Ben Armstrong—Industrial Automation

• Ben Armstrong highlights the necessity of increasing American manufacturing—no longer a question of if, but how. He introduces three models that promise manufacturing excellence.

3:15 pm | Driving Innovation in the Manufacturing Sector

• Moderator: Karen Wosczyna-Birch, Executive Director & Principal Investigator, National Center for Next Gen Manufacturing
• Jeffrey Davis, President & CEO, Sheffield Pharmaceuticals
• Shelley Fasano, CEO, Dymotek
• Monique Iken, President, PMC-STS, Inc.
• Justin Wolfanger, President, Systems, Electronics & Controls, Triumph Group

4:15 pm | Closing Remarks

• Paul Lavoie

4:30 | Adjourn