Marketing Track

Conference Track Sponsor

MARKETING TRACK

Day 1, Tuesday, February 24th

1:30 – 2:30PM

The Power of Owning & Sharing YOUR Story

Every manufacturer has a story, but too many don't share it. Is your company the "the best kept secret" in your area? In this session, you'll learn why owning and sharing your company’s story isn’t abstract marketing, it’s a strategic advantage that sets Midwest manufacturers apart in a crowded market. We’ll break down how to turn real operational grit, people, and purpose into messages that sell, recruit, and build trust. Walk away with practical tools to communicate your story clearly, consistently, and confidently, both internally and externally.

Chris Luecke | Host, Manufacturing Happy Hour Podcast

Chris Luecke is a Podcaster, Marketer, and Content Creator in the manufacturing industry and the host of the top-ranked podcast Manufacturing Happy Hour. Described as "TEDx meets 'How It's Made," Manufacturing Happy Hour goes beyond the buzzwords and dissects real-life applications and success stories through candid interviews with executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders. To date, Chris has interviewed over 200 leaders in the industrial sector in an effort to simplify and explore the latest trends and technologies impacting modern manufacturers.

3:30 – 4:30PM

The Sales Multiplier: AI Tools that Actually Move Revenue

In this session, Brandon Dempsey will cut through the AI-hype and show how small and medium sized manufacturers are using practical AI solutions to bring in real business. This session breaks down simple tools that boost lead quality, shorten sales cycles, and strengthen customer relationships. Attendees will leave with clear examples and ready to use tactics that can help their teams win more work.

Brandon Dempsey | VP of Sales, GBG Marketing

Brandon spends his time riding motorcycles, playing with his daughters, and adventuring with his wife and family around the globe. To pay for that fun, he oversees GBG, a marketing firm for manufacturing and distribution companies looking to leverage marketing for growth. For over 20 years Brandon has run his own company cold-calling his way into Fortune 100 companies and working at kitchen tables with new entrepreneurs. Today he oversees a growing firm that serves industrial companies across the globe with a presence in the US market.

Day 2, Wednesday, February 25th

9:30 – 10:30AM

Be the Answer, Not the Link: Competing in an AI-First Search Landscape

In this session, industrial marketing experts Allen Fennewald and Erik Schlosser from Gorilla 76 will help Midwest manufacturers understand how AI tools like ChatGPT are changing buyer behavior. They'll give you practical strategies to ensure your company shows up when prospects search for a solution.

Attendees will leave with a clear framework to audit their current visibility and actionable steps to create content that positions them as THE answer, not just another link.

Allen Fennewald | Associate Content Director, Gorilla 76

Allen Fennewald is the Associate Content Director at Gorilla 76, specializing in product development and conversion copy. Before joining the marketing industry, he oversaw multiple local newspapers as regional editor of the Columbia Daily Tribune. He also reported for news outlets in cities such as Washington D.C., Jefferson City and St. Louis. Allen graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s in English, creative writing, followed by a master’s in journalism. He grew up on a farm in rural Audrain County, Missouri, and currently lives in St. Louis with his wife, Lia; dog, Dawson; and cat, Nixina. In his off time, Allen enjoys playing Halo with his wife, making music with his friends and writing creative fiction.

Erik Schlosser | Strategist, Gorilla 76

Erik Schlosser is a Demand Generation Strategist at with an analytics background at Gorilla 76. He follows detailed data stories to chart the clearest path forward for clients. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in digital marketing from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Before joining Gorilla, he worked for both in-house marketing departments and at agencies. He built highly targeted ad campaigns using detailed customer data and audience segmentation across a range of industries, from franchising to hospitality to construction. Outside of work, Erik enjoys all things outdoors. You can find him on his bike, trail running or camping with his partner Hannah – and sometimes even with their two leash trained cats, Owl and Duck. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri but also roams trails of our national parks whenever he can.

11:00AM – 12:00PM

Where Purpose Meets Production: Marketing Breakthroughs for Manufacturers

When purpose meets production, your brand becomes more than a product — it becomes a promise. In this session, Maria Berra of Spoke Marketing will show manufacturers how to connect their “why” to their “what,” using strategies proven to drive sales, attract talent, and build long-term loyalty.

By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

Define their purpose and understand why it’s a business driver (not just a tagline).
Differentiate their brand with messaging that connects to customers, employees, and community values.
Leverage low-cost, high-impact marketing strategies that actually work for manufacturers.
Use storytelling to humanize their company — showing the “faces behind the factory.”
Identify key marketing metrics to measure what’s working (and stop wasting money on what’s not).

Maria Berra | Account Executive, Spoke Marketing

Maria Berra is an Account Executive at Spoke Marketing. She earned two master’s degrees from Fontbonne University in Fine Art and Graphic Design. Before moving into marketing, Maria taught Art and Design at St. Louis Community College – Meramec, ITT Technical Institute, and Ursuline Academy. She later transitioned into corporate design and marketing roles, where she combined her creativity with a talent for building strong client relationships. That experience led her to account management at Spoke, where she works alongside a team of creative professionals helping clients bring their ideas to life.