The Manufacturing Institute is hosting its fourth annual Workforce Summit, Manufacturing America’s Talent, from October 20–22, 2025, in Charlotte, NC. This premier event brings together industry leaders, workforce innovators and experts dedicated to shaping the future of manufacturing. With a focus on elevating employer-driven solutions, the summit will tackle the most pressing workforce development challenges – equipping manufacturers with strategies to build a skilled, future-ready workforce that drives the industry forward. Companies that invest in workforce development today will gain a critical competitive edge, securing the talent needed to fuel innovation and growth over the next decade. Attendees will leave with actionable insights, proven strategies and valuable connections to help build a resilient and thriving manufacturing workforce.
Call for Proposals
We are seeking breakout session proposals that showcase:
- Proven Workforce Strategies
- Upskilling programs, frontline leadership training models and skills-based hiring
- Cutting-Edge Training Approaches
- AI-driven learning, digital recruitment strategies and immersive training technologies
- Impactful Community Partnerships
- Industry-education collaborations, second-chance hiring programs and veteran workforce initiatives
- AI & Automation on the shop floor or in HR
- Skills-Based Hiring & Retention
- Evaluating candidates beyond traditional degrees
- Leveraging Analytics for Training & Recruitment
- Data-driven hiring and recruitment practices
- Building Strong Workplace Cultures & Employee Engagement Tools
Who Should Apply?
Manufacturing team members, education and training providers, philanthropy leaders, government officials and community-based organizations with employer-driven workforce solutions. Sales presentations will not be accepted. A limited number of breakout sessions will be available for sponsorship by vendors or service providers. If you are interested in learning about opportunities to sponsor this event, please contact Rachael Scheffler, Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy, at rscheffler@nam.org.
Session Format
All breakout sessions are strongly encouraged to be 60 minutes in length, with a minimum of 45 minutes, and will take place on October 21st or 22nd. Sessions should include time for audience Q&A.
To ensure a dynamic and engaging agenda, the 2025 Workforce Summit will feature an Indicator System to help attendees identify and attend based on the level of expertise and engagement for each session. Speakers are encouraged to carefully consider the breadth and depth of their topic. Before submitting your proposal, it is essential to clearly define the session’s complexity and target audience, ensuring a well-rounded mix of foundational, practical and expert-level insights that deliver meaningful value to all attendees.
Each session will be categorized using an icon on the agenda to indicate the expected level of knowledge and involvement:
Level One – Foundational: Introductory concepts and essential insights for those beginning their journey in workforce development or new to the Manufacturing Institutes’ initiatives.
Level Two – Practical: Actionable strategies, real-world applications, and proven case studies for professionals with some experience in workforce initiatives.
Level Three – Advanced: Strategic discussions designed for seasoned industry leaders. Deep dives into workforce challenges, data-driven insights and proven models for experienced industry professionals.
Speaker Benefits
- Discounted Summit Access – Enjoy full access to the Workforce Summit at a significantly reduced rate.
- Visibility & Recognition – Your name, company, and session details will be featured on the conference website, newsletters and social media.
- Customizable Social Media Graphics – Gain access to branded speaker graphics to promote your participation on your own platforms.
- Industry Leadership Spotlight – Showcase your organization's expertise and workforce development successes by sharing best practices with industry leaders.
Evaluation Process
All submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Clarity & Quality – Is the proposal well-structured, clearly written, and compelling?
- Relevance – Does the topic address pressing workforce development challenges faced by manufacturers?
- Practical Application – Can other manufacturers and communities replicate or adapt the strategies presented?
- Speaker Expertise – Does the speaker have the experience and qualifications to provide valuable insights?
- Alignment with Conference Theme – Does the session connect to ‘Manufacturing America’s Talent’
·Proposal Submission & Selection Process
- Submission Deadline: May 9, 2025, by 5:00 PM EDT.
- Notifications: Selected speakers will be informed by June 6, 2025.
- Speaker Responsibilities:
- Register and attend in person (speakers must cover all related costs to attend)
- Provide session materials by September 30, 2025
- Coordinate with co-presenters and finalize session content
For additional questions, contact workforce@nam.org.
Workforce Summit Proposals
The Manufacturing Institute is hosting its fourth annual Workforce Summit, Manufacturing America’s Talent, from October 20–22, 2025, in Charlotte, NC. This premier event brings together industry leaders, workforce innovators and experts dedicated to shaping the future of manufacturing. With a focus on elevating employer-driven solutions, the summit will tackle the most pressing workforce development challenges – equipping manufacturers with strategies to build a skilled, future-ready workforce that drives the industry forward. Companies that invest in workforce development today will gain a critical competitive edge, securing the talent needed to fuel innovation and growth over the next decade. Attendees will leave with actionable insights, proven strategies and valuable connections to help build a resilient and thriving manufacturing workforce.
Call for Proposals
We are seeking breakout session proposals that showcase:
- Proven Workforce Strategies
- Upskilling programs, frontline leadership training models and skills-based hiring
- Cutting-Edge Training Approaches
- AI-driven learning, digital recruitment strategies and immersive training technologies
- Impactful Community Partnerships
- Industry-education collaborations, second-chance hiring programs and veteran workforce initiatives
- AI & Automation on the shop floor or in HR
- Skills-Based Hiring & Retention
- Evaluating candidates beyond traditional degrees
- Leveraging Analytics for Training & Recruitment
- Data-driven hiring and recruitment practices
- Building Strong Workplace Cultures & Employee Engagement Tools
Who Should Apply?
Manufacturing team members, education and training providers, philanthropy leaders, government officials and community-based organizations with employer-driven workforce solutions. Sales presentations will not be accepted. A limited number of breakout sessions will be available for sponsorship by vendors or service providers. If you are interested in learning about opportunities to sponsor this event, please contact Rachael Scheffler, Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy, at rscheffler@nam.org.
Session Format
All breakout sessions are strongly encouraged to be 60 minutes in length, with a minimum of 45 minutes, and will take place on October 21st or 22nd. Sessions should include time for audience Q&A.
To ensure a dynamic and engaging agenda, the 2025 Workforce Summit will feature an Indicator System to help attendees identify and attend based on the level of expertise and engagement for each session. Speakers are encouraged to carefully consider the breadth and depth of their topic. Before submitting your proposal, it is essential to clearly define the session’s complexity and target audience, ensuring a well-rounded mix of foundational, practical and expert-level insights that deliver meaningful value to all attendees.
Each session will be categorized using an icon on the agenda to indicate the expected level of knowledge and involvement:
Level One – Foundational: Introductory concepts and essential insights for those beginning their journey in workforce development or new to the Manufacturing Institutes’ initiatives.
Level Two – Practical: Actionable strategies, real-world applications, and proven case studies for professionals with some experience in workforce initiatives.
Level Three – Advanced: Strategic discussions designed for seasoned industry leaders. Deep dives into workforce challenges, data-driven insights and proven models for experienced industry professionals.
Speaker Benefits
- Discounted Summit Access – Enjoy full access to the Workforce Summit at a significantly reduced rate.
- Visibility & Recognition – Your name, company, and session details will be featured on the conference website, newsletters and social media.
- Customizable Social Media Graphics – Gain access to branded speaker graphics to promote your participation on your own platforms.
- Industry Leadership Spotlight – Showcase your organization's expertise and workforce development successes by sharing best practices with industry leaders.
Evaluation Process
All submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Clarity & Quality – Is the proposal well-structured, clearly written, and compelling?
- Relevance – Does the topic address pressing workforce development challenges faced by manufacturers?
- Practical Application – Can other manufacturers and communities replicate or adapt the strategies presented?
- Speaker Expertise – Does the speaker have the experience and qualifications to provide valuable insights?
- Alignment with Conference Theme – Does the session connect to ‘Manufacturing America’s Talent’
·Proposal Submission & Selection Process
- Submission Deadline: May 9, 2025, by 5:00 PM EDT.
- Notifications: Selected speakers will be informed by June 6, 2025.
- Speaker Responsibilities:
- Register and attend in person (speakers must cover all related costs to attend)
- Provide session materials by September 30, 2025
- Coordinate with co-presenters and finalize session content
For additional questions, contact workforce@nam.org.