MxD Summit 2026

About the Summit

The 2026 MxD Summit brings together government leaders, industry executives, manufacturers, and technology providers to talk about delivering scalable manufacturing capabilities today – not tomorrow. Keynotes, panels and break-outs will focus on eliminating barriers, accelerating deployment, and driving immediate action at the intersection of manufacturing, technology, and national security.

Who Should Attend

This summit is built for the full manufacturing ecosystem - from C-suite to the factory floor. If you're involved in defense manufacturing, industrial technology, supply chain, workforce, policy, or capital access, this event is for you. MxD members and non-members are welcome.

Expected attendance: 250+ attendees representing government and defense leaders, OEMs, Tier 1-3 suppliers, technology providers, workforce development organizations, investors, and manufacturing practitioners.

What to Expect

October 20 - Welcome Reception + Open House
Kick off the summit with an evening reception and open house at MxD's facility on Chicago's Goose Island.

October 21 - Full Day Programming
Morning keynotes from senior government and industry voices tackle the gap between urgency and execution. Afternoon breakout sessions dig into workforce readiness, funding pathways, and technology deployment. The day closes with the MxD Member Showcase, featuring four rapid-fire presentations spotlighting emerging technology from our member companies, followed by an evening networking reception.

October 22 - Programming + Closing
Day Two zooms in on AI as the accelerant for industrial base readiness - with keynotes, a holistic panel, and breakout sessions on supplier enablement, AI deployment strategy, compliance, and more. Closes with an MxD CEO Town Hall and send-off.

To review the agenda in more detail, please refer to this document. All programming is subject to change; please reach out to MxD with any questions.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Are you interested in getting your brand in front of 250+ government and industry decision-makers? We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities - from breakout session tracks to exhibitor tables and beyond. Review our sponsorship prospectus and reach out to [email protected] to lock in your support.

Pricing

• MxD member rate: $150 (available to members in good standing)
• Non‑member rate: $300
• Government rate: $100

Tickets provide access to the full summit program; single‑day registration is not available.

MxD will review submissions to ensure that member, non‑member, and government rates are applied accurately. If we identify a discrepancy, we may follow up to confirm affiliation and adjust the ticket type as needed.

Cancellations & Refunds

Refunds are available for cancellation requests received up to 7 days prior to the event date. Cancellations received after this time and attendee no‑shows are not eligible for refunds.

Media Consent

MxD periodically produces photography, video, and multimedia marketing materials related to our events and programs. By registering for the 2026 MxD Summit, you and your organization consent to the use of any images or recordings captured at the event for marketing and public communications purposes, without compensation and in perpetuity. Additionally, your name, job title, and company may be shared in the form of an attendee list for distribution to fellow registrants and event partners.

Questions?

Contact Melanie Mann, Programs Manager: [email protected].