Southwest Virginia Manufacturers Expo

A networking and learning opportunity for Southwest Virginia manufacturing companies and their resource providers.
About this Event

Join manufacturers, suppliers, and resource partners from across Southwest Virginia for a day of connection, collaboration, and learning. The Southwest Virginia Manufacturers' Expo offers opportunities to network with industry peers, vendors, and service providers; explore new business and supply chain partnerships; showcase capabilities; and learn from experts through breakout sessions addressing today's manufacturing opportunities and challenges. Whether you're a manufacturer or a company that serves the manufacturing sector, you'll leave with valuable connections and practical insights to help your business grow.

See the FAQ below for additional information.

It is not mandatory to set up a booth/exhibit if you wish to participate.

Agenda:

8:00-9:00 Setup and Registration

9:00-9:05 Welcome

9:05-10:00 Networking & Exhibitor Time

10:00-10:50 Breakout Session #1

1. What Your Plant Needs Before AI Does Anything Useful, Presented by Dani Charette, Process Built Solutions

10:50–11:10 Networking Break

11:10-12:00 Breakout Sessions (2 Options)

1. Practical AI for Manufacturers: Solving Real Problems, Not Chasing Hype Presented by Ryan Lupi, Product Manager for AI Solutions supporting the Office of the Chief AI Officer (CAIO) at the National Institutes of Health
2. Lean for Today’s Workforce, Presented by Cheryl Carrico, Owner, E4S, LLC

12:00-12:45 Lunch Break

12:45-1:45 Breakout Sessions (2 Options)

1. Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia: Strong Today, Built for Tomorrow - A panel of manufacturing leaders discussing the state of manufacturing in Southwest Virginia, current opportunities and challenges, and why they remain optimistic about the future.
2. Optimizing Warehouse Operations: Mission (Never) Complete - Presenter: Andre B. Corbin, Regional Growth Manager – West, GENEDGE Alliance | First Sergeant, U.S. Army (Retired)

Warehouse Discipline Is a Calendar, Not a Project

1:45-2:15 Networking Break

2:15-2:30 Final Announcements and Door Prizes

Thank you, Sponsors!

Platinum-Level Sponsor:

• Appalachian Environmental Resources
• J. A. Street & Associates

Gold-Level Sponsors:

• Merrick & Company
• OpX Solutions, LLC
• Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P.
• UVa-Wise Office of Community & Economic Development
• Virginia Highlands Community College
• Cary Street Partners LLC
• EBM Managed Facility Services
• Mountain Empire Community College
• Shingle & Gibb Automation
• Virginia SBDC
• Lawrence Brothers, Inc.

Silver-Level Sponsors:

• Mount Rogers Regional Partnership
• The EI Group, Inc.
• Thomas Automation Management
• TakeChargeVA

Bronze-Level Sponsors:

• Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority
• Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity
• Hungate Business Services

Seeking Volunteers!

We need volunteers to help us with event registration, lunch, etc. If you are able to donate some of your time, we would greatly apprecaite it! Organizations who wish to have a table will receive a discount on registration for volunteering. If you can volunteer, contact Lennie Gail Mitcham at [email protected].