Featured Image

MFG 2025 Gathers Grandmasters of Manufacturing

Dec 04, 2024

They say grandmasters play 4D chess, thinking in unconventional ways to gain an advantage. If you want to learn how grandmasters operate — and stay four moves ahead of macroeconomic changes and industry advancements — you can surround yourself with the current and future grandmasters of manufacturing at the MFG 2025 Meeting, held in San Antonio from February 19-21 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa.   

Presented by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology in partnership with NTMA, MFG 2025 is the year’s premier networking, strategy building, and business development event for manufacturing leaders at companies of all sizes. The attendees and speakers at MFG 2025 include a who’s who of industry executives, the world’s largest providers of AI and software solutions, and future manufacturing leaders.   

“At FANUC America, it’s our job to anticipate tomorrow’s manufacturing challenges and provide automation solutions that quickly and efficiently address them,” says Mike Cicco, CEO and president of FANUC America and incoming chairman of the board at AMT. “For me, the MFG Meeting is an invaluable opportunity to engage with industry leaders and gain cutting-edge insights that fuel that innovation, while connecting with and learning from my manufacturing and technology peers.”   

“Attending the MFG 2025 summit is an unparalleled opportunity to stay at the forefront of manufacturing technology,” adds Jim King, president, CEO, and COO of Okuma America Corporation. “Our experience is that the summit brings together industry leaders, innovators, and experts to discuss the latest advancements and trends in manufacturing. The knowledge and connections gained at this event will be instrumental in driving our company’s growth, creating meaningful industry relationships, and maintaining our competitive edge in the market.”  

Navigating the Future  “Anyone who knows me knows that I believe now is the most exciting time to be alive in manufacturing, and that is reflected in the quality of MFG 2025 Meeting attendees and the guest speakers,” says Douglas K. Woods, president of AMT. “Our industry is built on relationships and the willingness of its leaders to collaborate in ways that move all of us forward, which is why the MFG Meeting is the most anticipated event of the year.”  

Individual presenters at MFG 2025 include:  

  • Bryce Barnes, whose career has included leading roles with Microsoft and Cisco, will share insights on AI’s impact on manufacturing. 

  • Julie Lenzer, CIO, Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI), who will give an overview of the opportunities in advanced biomanufacturing. 

  • Praveen Rao, head of manufacturing industry, Google Cloud, who will discuss improving productivity and business results with AI. 

  • Pat McGibbon, chief knowledge officer at AMT (retired), who will share macroeconomic insights and data from his 40 years at AMT.  

  • Connor Lokar, senior forecaster, ITR Economics, who will present an updated spring economic outlook. 

 Woods will also lead a discussion on the 2025 Automotive Supply Chain Outlook with Frank Ferrante, vice president of automotive sales & marketing at Wolfspeed, creators of the next-generation semiconductor technology. The session will tackle critical issues such as supply chain risks, reshoring trends, and the growth of U.S. semiconductor manufacturing.  

The 2025 MFG Meeting opens with afternoon factory tours at local manufacturers that are leveraging technology, followed by a welcome reception that evening. Days two and three of the event include the keynote speakers, generous networking time, and social events to discuss business challenges, strengthen relationships, and form new bonds. MFG 2025 culminates with the AMT Chairman’s Reception and Dinner, a formal event for attendees and their spouses or companions.  

“The agenda for the event is a perfect balance of networking combined with keynote speakers, and the content is extremely relevant. This setting really allows us to stay informed on current market trends and conditions,” says David Biscan, general manager, BBC Bircher Smart Access. The company manufactures and supplies systems for automatic doors and gates and is one of AMT’s newest members. “The AMT MFG 2025 Meeting will be an invaluable experience. It gives us an opportunity to connect and network with our peers and discuss matters that are truly affecting our industry.”  

Register for the MFG 2025 Meeting. Note that guest/companions receive special pricing and may be added later. For questions before and during the event, guests may contact event producer and manager Bill Herman, vice president of sales & membership at AMT, at 301-996-9910 (his personal mobile number) or bherman@amtonline.org.  

PicturePicture
Author
Bill Herman
Vice President, Membership
Recent intelligence News
An active AMT member, Mackenzie Zanello Haug is the Midwest sales representative for MP Systems. She has not stopped networking and collaborating since her first day in the manufacturing industry, which began at IMTS.
Applying his broad capabilities to drive strategic growth, Mike DiFranco, AMT’s new Vice President of Sales, will connect with—and deliver for—AMT members and the larger manufacturing industry.
AMT committees are made up of members collaborating on initiatives that support the growth and advancement of the manufacturing technology community. This roundup highlights offers a glimpse into each committee, their recent work, and evolving focus areas.
In this installment of our series, you will meet Jason Woodard, Manuel Merkt, and Lt. Gen. William Signius Knudsen, who all started as apprentices. Learn how apprenticeship training influenced their outstanding leadership and shaped their work.
Regional manufacturing events deliver in four locations.
Similar News
undefined
Technology
By Stephen LaMarca | Aug 15, 2025

Ford hits Alt + F4 on the assembly line. RealSense goes solo, sees big picture. Screen to spindle. Quantum national security. The economy's not itself when it's hungry.

6 min
undefined
Intelligence
By Kevin Bowers | Aug 13, 2025

Companies in the manufacturing technology ecosystem use AMT’s custom market research to reduce risk, allocate resources, and accelerate growth.

6 min
undefined
Advocacy
By Harry Moser | Aug 14, 2025

New data reveals OEMs prioritize price, but overlook true sourcing costs. Contract manufacturers say better tools and trained labor are key to restoring U.S. production strength.

7 min