Made in Connecticut: 2025 Manufacturing Summit

Connecticut manufacturers face an ever-shifting economic landscape, navigating seesawing federal trade policies, inflation, a tight labor market, higher capital costs, supply chain risks, and geopolitical disruption. 

How best to transform those challenges into opportunities? 

Join us October 2 at Made in Connecticut: 2025 Manufacturing Summit, for an in-depth exploration of the sector, including growth factors, policy priorities, hiring and investment trends, and the near and long-term outlook. 

You’ll hear from state and national experts on current issues and trends, with key manufacturing leaders sharing best practices for managing operations amid uncertainty and unexpected turbulence. 

The summit features the release of the 2025 Connecticut Manufacturing Report and RSM’s Brian Ferguson will discuss the findings—and implications—with a panel of manufacturers. 

Sikorsky’s Audrey Brady will be joined by key suppliers to share how the Stratford-based helicopter manufacturer is overhauling its supply chain relationships and positioning itself for the future. 

We’ll announce the winner of the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut challenge, the U.S. Commercial Service’s Connecticut District Export Council will recognize outstanding export contributors, and we’ll present our annual manufacturing awards. 

And you won’t want to miss the FORGE pitch fest, the manufacturing showcase, and the opportunity to connect with hundreds of your peers from around the state! 

AGENDA

7:30 am | Networking Breakfast & Manufacturing Showcase 

8:30 am | Opening Remarks 

• Chris DiPentima, President & CEO, CBIA 

8:45 am | State, National Manufacturing Outlook 

9:15 am | 2025 Connecticut Manufacturing Report: Results & Insights 

• Moderator: Brian Ferguson, Consulting Sector Leader Food & Beverage, RSM US 
• Martin Baumann, President, Arburg, Inc.

10 am | Networking Break 

10:20 am | Sikorsky Supply Chain Panel  

• Audrey Brady, VP & Chief Operating Officer, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company 

11:05 am | FORGE Pitch Fest  

12 pm | Networking Lunch 

1 pm | 2025 Connecticut Export Awards 

1:15 pm | 2025 Connecticut Manufacturing Awards 

1:25 pm | Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut 

1:45 pm | Manufacturing Showcase & Networking  

2:45 pm | Adjourn