Conference Breakout Sessions
Session 1: Creating a Multi-Generational Culture - Valuing All Employee Contributions
Build on the strengths each generation brings to the workplace by adapting your culture to accept and welcome differences. The panelists will provide insight into the differences and tips to help your organization adapt, communicate and motivate. Panel members include: Andrea Fredrickson, Amerian Institute of Management; Nick Reddin, an expert on the changing world of work; and a panel of 18- to 24-year olds successfully working in advanced manufacturing discussing what their employers are doing to retain their talent.
Session 2: Protecting the Investment in Your Employees - How to Keep the Good Ones
Panelists from three Iowa companies will discuss both management and participant perspectives of their successful employee retention programs. Panel members include: Pella Corporation, Pella; Lyondell, Clinton; and ALMACO, Nevada.
Session 3: Management: Creating a Culture of Innovation
The future of today's manufacturing organization depends on new ideas and new opportunities. From a management perspective, what does it take to establish and sustain a culture of innovation to capture and capitalize on these new ideas? Learn about employee training and management techniques that support you in this role. A case study panel will feature companies that have effectively supported leadership that drives innovation. Panel members include: Tom Guerdet & Associates, Ames; Jim Larson, Winnebago, Mason City; and John Dessert, J&A Printing, Cedar Rapids.
Session 4: Developing Your Market Strategy
Learn to effectively identify and capture new markets, assess market opportunity and grow your business ventures. A panel of small and medium sized manufacturing companies that have developed and effectively implemented marketing strategies will share their success stories and lessons learned. Panel members include: David Collins, the University of Iowa, Marketing Program; Brent Cobb, World Class Industries, Hiawatha; and Bill Witherspoon, the Sky Factory, LC, Fairfield.
Session 5: Re-Invention of Rock Island Arsenal Manufacturing
The factory at the Rock Island Arsenal is a vertically intergrated facility and last updated in the mid-1980s. Recently, Congress approved the Arsenal Support Program Initiative, which provides funding for renovation of underutilized space and exclusive rights to market these underutilized facilities. A manufacturing laboratory, to be located at the arsenal, was established to bring new technology to Iowa. The vision is that it will be the focus of new technology for commercial, as well as military, applications. Presenters: Jim Morgan and Tim Frye, Rock Island Arsenal Development Group.
Session 6: Innovation is Not Just for Big Companies
Learn how small and mid-sized manufacturing companies integrate processes to create ideas, deliver new products, enter new markets, add value for customers, forge new partnerships and increase productivity. Panel members include: Bruce Ribble and Roger Wilson, CIVCO Medical Solutions, Kalona; Stellar Industries, Garner; and Rod Ludwig and John Devitt, Midwest Industries, Ida Grove.
Session 7: Private/Public Workforce Strategies That Work - Getting Kids Excited About Manufacturing Jobs
Learn about powerful, effective solutions to recruit young people into advanced manufacturing careers. From Muscatine High School's relationship with local manufacturers, the creating and implementation of Project Lead the Way curriculum to a statewide marketing program that highlights exceptional manufacturing facilities and the young professionals who created them. Panel members include: Sarah Gross, Muscatine High School; and Lori Schaefer, Agri-Industrial Plastics, Fairfield.
Session 8: Business & Community College Partnerships - Preparing Tomorrow's Workforce
Workforce outcomes can be greatly influenced through partnerships between businesses and Iowa's community colleges. Learn about a targeted approach to address critical workforce shortages in the metal fabrication manufacturing industry. This session focuses on approaches manufacturing businesses can use to actively engage with their community college in the development of workforce training programs. Panel Members include: Joe Chiaramonte, Midwest Metal Products, Cedar Rapids; Phil Thomas and Jeff Mitchell, Kirkwood Community College; and Jim Warren, Fabrication and Manufacturers Association, Rockford, IL.
Session 9: Productivity-Planning & Supporting Growth
Utilization of Lean tools and other transformation tools are proven to impact productivity, reduce lead times and support business growth. A case study panel will discuss tools and resources utilized and the bottom-line benefits to the company's sustainability and growth. Panel members include: Matt Cable, Distinctive Wood Works, Earlville; Kim Brenner, Hansaloy, Davenport; and Kris Koberg, Insync, Hiawatha.
Session 10: Helping Suppliers Succeed - The OEM Perspective
What does it take to supply to the OEMs? How do you exceed customer expectations and focus on customer satisfaction? Learn practices to improve your key supplier relationships. A case study panel will feature two OEMs and suppliers who will discuss and share their insights and perspectives. Panel members include: Edward Odegard, Cobham Life Support, Muscatine; Kevin Fischer, Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids; and Robert Becker, In Tolerance Precision Contract Manufacturing, Cedar Rapids.
Session 11: Innovation Through Partnerships with Higher Education
When in the early-idea stages of innovation and product design, you experience excitement while simultaneously plagued with a multitude of questions on how to start, who to go to and how to engage the right team. In this session, you will learn the technical, business and financial resources available for pushing your innovation forward through partnerships with higher education. Panel members include: Tom Sharpe, Research & Economic Development, the University of Iowa; Ron Cox, Center for Research and Industrial Service, Iowa State University; and Greg Strong, Industrial Technologies, Western Iowa Technical Community College, Sioux City.
Session 12: Innovation Through Intellectual Property Licensing with Education
The focus will be on highlighting the university intellectual property portfolio with a specific "top five" manufacturing technology presentation. This session complements the Regents institutions intellectual property catalog exhibit session offered during the afternoon break. Univeristy licensing staff and inventors will be available. Invited panel members include: Ken Kirkland, ISU Research Foundation; Pamela York, UI Research Foundation; Randy Pilkington and Bill Witt, UNI Research Foundation.
