Economy in Flux (Isn’t it Always?) – Scenarios for 2026
Chris Kuehl, Armada Corporate Intelligence
It turned out that 2025's economy performed better than many anticipated - decent GDP growth, stable employment, inflation that was not as crushing as expected. Will 2026 be
a repeat? There are multiple scenarios in play. Does the consumer keep carrying the load? Will inflation start to accelerate, or will it stay in the "creeping" category? Will tariffs and trade wars dominate conversations again? So many questions! This
session will try to answer them.
Cybersecurity & AI: Friends or Foes?
Jason Floyd,
NorthShield
AI is transforming cybersecurity on three fronts: it boosts defenders with faster detection, triage, and exposure prioritization; it introduces new risks like data leakage, insecure integrations, and overreliance on imperfect outputs;
and it empowers attackers with more scalable phishing, deepfakes, and automated exploit workflows. This presentation highlights what’s real, what’s hype, and how to adapt controls and operations to capture the upside without widening the attack surface.
Match, Hire, Train: Connecting Manufacturers with the Next Generation
Devyn Maguire, Runwayz
For the past several years, one message has been clear:
the greatest challenge facing our members and the manufacturing industry as a whole, is attracting, hiring, and retaining top-quality talent. Runwayz is the new launchpad for early career talent. It’s an app that connects students, schools and employers
in one platform. Learn how the app delivers smart matches that help employers connect with motivated emerging talent while providing students access to job opportunities, apprenticeships, training programs and scholarships. CCAI is a Design Partner
and the exclusive industrial finishing partner for Runwayz. Learn how the finishing industry can gain direct access to a talent pipeline that no one else has!
Industry Roundtables – What Keeps You Up at Night?
Regardless of the role you play within your company, we all have work-related issues that cause a lack of sleep from time to
time. We’ll engage in important conversations that allow everyone to share industry concerns, discuss the impacts of an aging workforce, as well as successes & opportunities.
Give Your Future Leaders the EDGE
Tom Morrison,
Tom Morrison & Associates
Many members have indicated they would like a strong leadership training program for employees that will be future leaders. This goes hand in hand with ways you can ensure employees become committed and develop
a long-term career at a company. EDGE is the leadership program for finishing! Produced by Tom Morrison & Associates and his highly successful team, this program has been so successful for another manufacturing industry that it sells out a year in advance.
Learn about the value of the program and why it’s set to become the gold standard for management and leadership training in our industry.
AI for Leaders: Strengthening Relationships & Building a Culture of Efficiency
Donna Peterson, World Innovators
AI is not just a technology decision. It’s a leadership decision that affects every department. This presentation will address why AI needs to be part of your company’s foundation, helping
leaders save time, strengthen communication, and support smarter decision-making. Through clear examples and short taped demos of tools like ChatGPT, Fathom, and Descript, Donna will show how AI can improve relationships both inside your organization
and with customers. Leaders will see how to use AI to organize information, guide collaboration, and make work more efficient and meaningful. The session will also focus on how to help your team adopt AI successfully: providing the right training,
setting expectations, and creating accountability and collaboration sessions that turn learning into lasting change.
The core message is when leadership makes AI approachable and intentional, it becomes a practical tool that improves relationships, builds efficiency, and drives company-wide growth.
The Trust Multiplier: Building Leadership Cultures That Last
Ryan Nelson, Circle of 5 Coaching
In today’s manufacturing environment, technical excellence isn’t enough. Leaders must earn and sustain trust to drive performance and retention. This session unpacks The Trust Multiplier™
framework, a practical system for developing reliability, connection, team focus,
and credibility at every level of leadership. Drawing from real-world manufacturing examples, Ryan guides participants through four short “chapters” that reveal
why trust is the most underdeveloped asset in most organizations - and how to build it systematically. Attendees will leave with a simple diagnostic lens they can use immediately to strengthen their teams and create a culture where
people take ownership, not orders.
Our Future is Bright: Finishing’s Next Gen Panel Discussion
Leigh Baird
Mighty Hook, Inc. |
Nick Dawson
Koch Finishing Systems |
Hope Dollarhide
First Choice Robotics |
Tony Herbst
Therma-Tron-X
|
Jane Knoblock
Raphael Industries, Inc.
|
Within the next 5 years, nearly all of the baby boomers that have worked in the finishing industry for decades will be retired. It’s a concern for every US manufacturer. But our future is bright and we’re hosting a panel discussion with five young finishing professionals who will share their industry backgrounds, thoughts on the future of finishing and personal goals with us. We think you will find there is hope for our future!
Click the links below for details of the meeting, to make your hotel reservation now and register today!
