TSMA MFG Summit
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Theme: Fast & Flexible: Resilience in Modern Manufacturing
Join us for a day of insight, innovation, and collaboration at the 2026 Evansville Region Manufacturing Summit, hosted by the Tri-State Manufacturers' Alliance (TSMA). This premier one-day event brings together manufacturing leaders, industry experts, and regional partners to explore how manufacturers are building resilient organizations, adapting to change, and driving operational excellence in today's rapidly evolving industry.
The day will begin with a State of Manufacturing update, providing attendees with the latest trends and outlook impacting Indiana manufacturers. From there, participants will customize their experience through breakout sessions covering today's most pressing topics, including artificial intelligence, workforce development, quality, safety, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Attendees will also hear from internationally recognized manufacturing leader Billy Ray Taylor, whose keynote, How We Win: Building an Execution System for Speed, Alignment, and Results, will provide practical strategies for building high-performing teams and creating a culture of accountability. The day concludes with a regional manufacturing leadership panel followed by an interactive Action Planning & Peer Collaboration session, where attendees will reflect on key takeaways and identify practical ideas to implement within their organizations.
Throughout the summit, attendees can engage with regional resource partners during the vendor expo, discover organizations that support manufacturers, and exchange ideas with peers from across the Tri-State region—all while exploring what it takes to remain fast, flexible, and resilient in today's manufacturing landscape.
Keynote Presentations
Keynote #1
The State of Manufacturing: Insights from the Indiana Manufacturers Association
Speaker: Andrew Berger, President & CEO, Indiana Manufacturers Association
Andrew will cover the issues affecting Indiana manufacturers with a focus on the cost of business and the ability to grow in Indiana. Key topics will include changes to tax policy, workforce availability and immigration changes, and energy cost and reliability. The presentation will also highlight key manufacturing economic data and trends in Indiana's largest industry sector.
Keynote #2
How We Win: Building an Execution System for Speed, Alignment, and Results
Speaker: Billy Ray Taylor, CEO, LinkedXL
In today's rapidly changing manufacturing environment, success depends on more than great ideas- it requires disciplined execution, aligned teams, and the ability to adapt quickly. In this keynote, Billy Taylor will share practical strategies for building an execution system that empowers people, improves performance, and creates a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Attendees will leave with actionable insights they can apply to strengthen leadership, accelerate results, and drive lasting operational excellence.
Leadership Panel
Leading Fast & Flexible: Executive Perspectives on Leadership & Execution
In today's manufacturing environment, success depends on more than having the right strategy—it requires leaders who can execute with speed, adaptability, and purpose. This featured main stage panel brings together executives from leading regional manufacturers to discuss how they align strategy with operations, foster accountability, lead through change, and build cultures of continuous improvement. Through candid conversation and real-world examples, attendees will gain practical leadership insights on driving execution, empowering their teams, and positioning their organizations for long-term success.
Panelists:
Kevin Koch, President & CEO, Koch Enterprises
Dave Conner, CFO & COO, Anchor Industries
Derek Kindie, VP of MFG, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana
Paul Bedford, Site Director, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Mt Vernon
Action Planning & Peer Collaboration
Share insights, discuss key takeaways, and identify practical actions with fellow manufacturing professionals and teams.
Breakout Sessions
Attendees will choose two breakout sessions to attend — one in each time slot. With 10 sessions to choose from, topics cover a wide range of focus areas including leadership, workforce development, technology, safety, quality, lean practices, and sustainability.
Leadership & Culture
Leadership Engagement & Development: Implementing the JET Leadership Challenge
Presented by Nix Companies
Safety
TBD
Presented by The Cox Group (TCG)
Workforce Development
CONNECT: Building the Future Workforce, One Internship at a Time
Presented by Jasper Engines & Transmissions
Creating Manufacturing Career Pathways: Vincennes University & SoINFAME
Presented by SOINFAME
Technology & Digital Transformation
Data Journey & AI in Manufacturing: Practical Applications & Lessons Learned
Presented by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
Talent Attraction & Retention
Talent Talk: Attract and Retain Top Manufacturing Talent in Southern Indiana
Presented by The Cox Group (TCG)
Logistics & Supply Chain
Building Resilient Logistics & Supply Chain Networks
Presented by The Cox Group (TCG)
Lean & Continuous Improvement
Driving Daily Excellence: How JET's WAR Process Accelerates Operational Performance
Presented by Jasper Engines & Transmissions
Lean Case Study: What Worked, What Didn’t, and Lessons Learned
Presented by CICG
Quality
Creating a Systemic Problem-Solving Culture
Presented by Anchor Industries
Vendor Fair
Explore organizations, service providers, educational institutions, and resource partners dedicated to helping manufacturers grow, innovate, and solve business challenges. Built-in networking time throughout the day allows attendees to discover new resources and make valuable connections.
Food & Networking
Registration includes a light breakfast, buffet lunch, snacks, and refreshments throughout the day.
Who Should Attend
Manufacturing executives, plant managers, operations leaders, HR professionals, engineers, supervisors, quality and safety professionals, continuous improvement practitioners, educators, workforce partners, and business leaders committed to strengthening the future of manufacturing.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and gain practical strategies from the leaders shaping the future of manufacturing. Join us at the 2026 Evansville Region Manufacturing Summit and discover how manufacturers are embracing innovation, strengthening operations, and building resilient organizations in today's evolving industry.
Join us for a day of insight, innovation, and collaboration at the 2026 Evansville Region Manufacturing Summit, hosted by the Tri-State Manufacturers' Alliance (TSMA). This premier one-day event brings together manufacturing leaders, industry experts, and regional partners to explore how manufacturers are building resilient organizations, adapting to change, and driving operational excellence in today's rapidly evolving industry.
The day will begin with a State of Manufacturing update, providing attendees with the latest trends and outlook impacting Indiana manufacturers. From there, participants will customize their experience through breakout sessions covering today's most pressing topics, including artificial intelligence, workforce development, quality, safety, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Attendees will also hear from internationally recognized manufacturing leader Billy Ray Taylor, whose keynote, How We Win: Building an Execution System for Speed, Alignment, and Results, will provide practical strategies for building high-performing teams and creating a culture of accountability. The day concludes with a regional manufacturing leadership panel followed by an interactive Action Planning & Peer Collaboration session, where attendees will reflect on key takeaways and identify practical ideas to implement within their organizations.
Throughout the summit, attendees can engage with regional resource partners during the vendor expo, discover organizations that support manufacturers, and exchange ideas with peers from across the Tri-State region—all while exploring what it takes to remain fast, flexible, and resilient in today's manufacturing landscape.
Keynote Presentations
Keynote #1
The State of Manufacturing: Insights from the Indiana Manufacturers Association
Speaker: Andrew Berger, President & CEO, Indiana Manufacturers Association
Andrew will cover the issues affecting Indiana manufacturers with a focus on the cost of business and the ability to grow in Indiana. Key topics will include changes to tax policy, workforce availability and immigration changes, and energy cost and reliability. The presentation will also highlight key manufacturing economic data and trends in Indiana's largest industry sector.
Keynote #2
How We Win: Building an Execution System for Speed, Alignment, and Results
Speaker: Billy Ray Taylor, CEO, LinkedXL
In today's rapidly changing manufacturing environment, success depends on more than great ideas- it requires disciplined execution, aligned teams, and the ability to adapt quickly. In this keynote, Billy Taylor will share practical strategies for building an execution system that empowers people, improves performance, and creates a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Attendees will leave with actionable insights they can apply to strengthen leadership, accelerate results, and drive lasting operational excellence.
Leadership Panel
Leading Fast & Flexible: Executive Perspectives on Leadership & Execution
In today's manufacturing environment, success depends on more than having the right strategy—it requires leaders who can execute with speed, adaptability, and purpose. This featured main stage panel brings together executives from leading regional manufacturers to discuss how they align strategy with operations, foster accountability, lead through change, and build cultures of continuous improvement. Through candid conversation and real-world examples, attendees will gain practical leadership insights on driving execution, empowering their teams, and positioning their organizations for long-term success.
Panelists:
Kevin Koch, President & CEO, Koch Enterprises
Dave Conner, CFO & COO, Anchor Industries
Derek Kindie, VP of MFG, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana
Paul Bedford, Site Director, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Mt Vernon
Action Planning & Peer Collaboration
Share insights, discuss key takeaways, and identify practical actions with fellow manufacturing professionals and teams.
Breakout Sessions
Attendees will choose two breakout sessions to attend — one in each time slot. With 10 sessions to choose from, topics cover a wide range of focus areas including leadership, workforce development, technology, safety, quality, lean practices, and sustainability.
Leadership & Culture
Leadership Engagement & Development: Implementing the JET Leadership Challenge
Presented by Nix Companies
Safety
TBD
Presented by The Cox Group (TCG)
Workforce Development
CONNECT: Building the Future Workforce, One Internship at a Time
Presented by Jasper Engines & Transmissions
Creating Manufacturing Career Pathways: Vincennes University & SoINFAME
Presented by SOINFAME
Technology & Digital Transformation
Data Journey & AI in Manufacturing: Practical Applications & Lessons Learned
Presented by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
Talent Attraction & Retention
Talent Talk: Attract and Retain Top Manufacturing Talent in Southern Indiana
Presented by The Cox Group (TCG)
Logistics & Supply Chain
Building Resilient Logistics & Supply Chain Networks
Presented by The Cox Group (TCG)
Lean & Continuous Improvement
Driving Daily Excellence: How JET's WAR Process Accelerates Operational Performance
Presented by Jasper Engines & Transmissions
Lean Case Study: What Worked, What Didn’t, and Lessons Learned
Presented by CICG
Quality
Creating a Systemic Problem-Solving Culture
Presented by Anchor Industries
Vendor Fair
Explore organizations, service providers, educational institutions, and resource partners dedicated to helping manufacturers grow, innovate, and solve business challenges. Built-in networking time throughout the day allows attendees to discover new resources and make valuable connections.
Food & Networking
Registration includes a light breakfast, buffet lunch, snacks, and refreshments throughout the day.
Who Should Attend
Manufacturing executives, plant managers, operations leaders, HR professionals, engineers, supervisors, quality and safety professionals, continuous improvement practitioners, educators, workforce partners, and business leaders committed to strengthening the future of manufacturing.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and gain practical strategies from the leaders shaping the future of manufacturing. Join us at the 2026 Evansville Region Manufacturing Summit and discover how manufacturers are embracing innovation, strengthening operations, and building resilient organizations in today's evolving industry.
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Where is it happening?
University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherEvansville Regional Economic Partnership
