ECONOMIC PLAYBOOK TRACK
Conference Track Sponsor
Day 1, Tuesday, February 25th
10:30 – 11:20AM
New Administration – What's in Store for Manufacturing?
Session description coming soon.
PNC Bank
Speaker bio coming soon.
1:30 – 2:20PM
Develop a Winning Property Insurance Renewal in 2025 using Property Risk Engineering Strategies
During this award-winning presentation, attendees will learn:
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What are Risk Engineering Renewal Strategies (Leverage all stakeholders expertise).
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What you can do in today's property market to improve your renewal.
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How to properly prepare for an onsite insurance carrier property inspection.
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Key points / Red Flags that are insurability items in the current hard market (Human Element Programs) driving loss leaders, emerging technologies.
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Physical protection / COPE – disconnection between your local code/authority having jurisdiction, and what your Insurance Carrier Risk Engineering requirements will be.
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How to make your facility show “best in class” for Underwriting (three main areas).
William Page | Senior Risk Engineering Consultant, Higginbotham
William Page is a Senior Risk Engineering Consultant in Higginbotham’s Loss Control Department, joining Higginbotham in 2022. William works with partners and clients to support and provide property risk engineering and risk management services to commercial, industrial, and HPR facilities. William has an extensive property background from single location to multi-national accounts. His specialties include real estate accounts / real estate property engineering, builders risk, manufacturing, high value storage, flammables, combustibles, Primary and Secondary Forest Products, Combustible Dusts and metals, Foam Plastics, and Rubber and Tire manufacturing. He has extensive knowledge and practical application in NFPA, FM, DISCUS and GE Gaps codes, sprinkler systems, sprinkler system design, and testing. He has a global background in property referrals for sprinkler system evaluations, fire protection systems, water supplies, special hazards, life safety, and NFPA 101. William brings professional expertise and experience with over 25 years working in the commercial property and casualty field. He started his career with a Forest Products insurance company and has held roles of increasing responsibility primarily focused on HPR / High Value / High Risk properties. He has managed complex property accounts and all lines accounts globally, including mentoring peers to develop their property and special hazard skills. William is a Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) and Certified Environmental and Safety Compliance Officer (CESC). He is a Field Safety Representative (FSR) designation in Texas and Arkansas, and an approved safety source for Texas and Arkansas. He is a graduate of University of Texas at Tyler, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Safety.
3:30 – 4:20PM
3 Important Business Lessons to Propel Growth
Get ready to be inspired as Christina Moffatt, a former successful small manufacturing business owner, shares her top 3 lessons for growing a thriving business. ​You won't want to miss this unique opportunity to learn from someone who has been on the frontline. Christina's stories and strategies will leave you feeling motivated and confident in your ability to cultivate new opportunities for personal and business growth.
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You’ll learn:
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How to find, define and focus on your business niche
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A fresh perspective on savings and investments to plan ahead
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Where to find the support and why community matters
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Don't miss out on this informative and engaging session!
Christina Moffatt | Business Development Manager, Elevate by Principal Financial Group
Christina Moffatt transitioned from a corporate career to pioneering an award-winning business and now works to help business owners grow the long-term success of their businesses. As a passionate business professional, Christina has experience in developing client services that support the diverse needs of small to midsize businesses and a proven track record of how big businesses work to serve small business clients. She’s a promoter and advocate of programs that drive organizational growth, leadership development, and positive workplace cultures of diversity and inclusion. Not only did Christina own and operate her small business, but she also served as the Regional Director of the Mid Iowa Small Business Development Center, Director of Small Business Resources for the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Business Development Officer, and Business Officer for PurposeBank. She also devotes her time to many local boards.
Day 2, Wednesday, February 26th
9:00 – 9:50AM
Benchmarking North American Manufacturing: A Macro-Economic Outlook
The North American economic and geopolitical landscapes are ever evolving creating peaks and valleys in durable goods demand. This instability generates business challenges and opportunities for small- to medium-sized manufacturers. Understanding the economy and its impact on the manufacturing industry is a key to making the most informed business decisions possible across different functional areas within a business such as management, sales, human resources or operations.
During this presentation, Cara Walton will unravel the economy and its impact on manufacturing by coupling the macroeconomic data with benchmarking data specific to privately held manufacturers across process types like metal forming, plastics processing, die casting and tool building.
She will review the 2024 Harbour IQ powered by Wipfli Manufacturing Benchmarking Results including industry pulse, operations, financial, human resources and sales and forecasting as well as the benefits of utilizing benchmarking data. Cara will close out the presentation focusing on what key factors leadership teams should be watching to better manage their short- and long-term strategies.
Cara Walton | Director - Manufacturing, Wipfli
Cara is a director at Wipfli and runs Wipfli’s manufacturing intelligence tool - Harbour IQ powered by Wipfli. She is responsible for the strategic direction and growth, as well as managing all data acquisition and intelligence gathering. Since its inception, Harbour IQ powered by Wipfli has collected and analyzed millions of data points from thousands of manufacturing companies on business and operations performance; established itself the leading manufacturing benchmarking resource with more than 7 years of trended data; and launched a market studies division conducting custom market studies for manufacturers across all durable goods industries. As a thought leader in economics and manufacturing, Cara is frequently called upon to present in person and via webinars to help manufacturers better understand the marketplace as well as share the data and information collected through Harbour IQ powered by Wipfli. She was also named to Plastics News Rising Stars 2020 and MoldMaking Technology 30 under 30.
10:30 – 11:20AM
Unlocking the Future of Manufacturing with Automation
As Midwest manufacturers face increasing pressure to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving global market, automation has become a game-changer. Join industry experts Greg Topjon, Director of Strategic Partnerships, and Robert Weller, Senior Account Manager at MMCI Automation, as they explore how automation can revolutionize manufacturing operations in the Midwest and beyond.
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In this breakout session, you’ll gain valuable insights into how automation technologies, from robotics to automated guided vehicles (AGVs), are transforming the manufacturing landscape. The session will cover:​
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Understanding Automation
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How Automation Can Improve Your Operations
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Live Demo/Video
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Q&A and Open Discussion
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Closing Remarks & Next Steps
This session is designed for manufacturers who are considering automation or looking to optimize their existing systems. Whether you're just starting to explore automation or are ready to take the next step, you’ll leave with actionable insights and a clear understanding of how it can help you thrive in the future of manufacturing. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover the future of manufacturing and how automation can unlock new levels of success for your business.
Robert Weller | Senior Account Manager, MMCI Automation
Robert (Bob) Weller is an experienced Senior Account Manager at MMCI Automation, bringing more than a decade of expertise in cultivating strategic partnerships and delivering innovative solutions to clients. With a robust background in project management and customer relationship management, Robert excels at aligning client needs with operational execution, ensuring that each project is successful from start to finish. Throughout his career, Bob has gained a deep understanding of technology and automation, helping organizations optimize their processes, enhance efficiency, and unlock new opportunities for growth. His dedication to excellence, combined with his ability to simplify complex automation concepts, has made him a trusted advisor and a key asset to his clients, consistently exceeding expectations. At MMCI, Bob plays a critical role in managing key accounts, developing customized automation strategies, and fostering strong communication between clients and internal teams. He thrives in fast-paced, evolving environments, always focused on driving results and cultivating long-term relationships built on trust and mutual success. Bob holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management from Missouri State University and is passionate about staying ahead of industry trends. His dedication to continuous learning positions him as a trusted, knowledgeable partner for all his clients’ needs.
Greg Topjon | Director of Strategic Partnerships, Wiese USA
Greg Topjon is the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Wiese USA, a leading provider of material handling solutions. In his role, Greg is responsible for identifying, nurturing, and expanding key partnerships that drive the company’s growth and enhance its offerings within the industrial sector. He brings over 15 years of experience in business development, strategic alliances, and operational management to his work at Wiese USA. With a strong background in fostering long-term relationships with clients, suppliers, and industry stakeholders, Greg has become an invaluable leader in guiding the company's strategic initiatives. His ability to align Wiese USA's goals with market opportunities has helped position the company as a trusted partner for businesses seeking innovative and efficient material handling solutions. Prior to joining Wiese USA, Greg held various senior roles in sales and partnerships, where he honed his expertise in negotiation, product strategy, and customer engagement. His commitment to driving results through collaboration and his keen understanding of industry trends has made him a recognized figure in the material handling and logistics space. Greg holds a degree in Political Science and continues to leverage his education and experience to lead successful partnerships that propel Wiese USA’s continued success in the marketplace.