On May 10th, DVIRC and its sponsors held another successful Manufacturing Executives Conference at the beautiful Downingtown Country Club. The event drew in more than 170 manufacturing leaders who were eager to learn from expert speakers, share best practices, and engage in an optional round of golf.
The conference kicked off with a warm welcome and opening remarks from Rob Crossett and Barry Miller, both representing DVIRC. They set the tone for the day, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing within the manufacturing industry.
One of the highlights of the event was a presentation by Chris Scafario, President of DVIRC, who spoke about Manufacturing’s Moonshot and DVIRC’s vision for 2030. Scafario shared some of the emerging opportunities for regional suppliers with the U.S. Navy and provided valuable insights into rapidly changing technology advancements as well as the challenges and opportunities in the manufacturing sector. Scafario emphasized the important role manufacturers will play in both the region and the country as a whole, and he shed light on how they can navigate the evolving landscape successfully.
Brian Clapp from CCI Consulting took the stage next, delivering a thought-provoking presentation on the top 2023 workforce trends. He emphasized the need for effective workforce strategy and management to mitigate risks associated with these trends. Clapp’s expertise in this area resonated with the audience, as they gained valuable insights into staying ahead in terms of workforce development.
Bob Cohen, Owner of Acme Corrugated Box, and Rip Collins, CEO of TEC Services shared an inspiring story of student success and opportunities for student engagement with “The Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School Story.” Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School is a unique model of high school that opened in 2012 with a unique partnership of local educators, businesses, and universities. The school boasts a 100% college acceptance rate and has set up many students for prosperous careers in a variety of industries, including manufacturing.
Tony Girifalco, EVP of DVIRC, and Hannah McGarry, Director of Workforce Engagement at DVIRC shared some of the great work DVIRC is doing with its Workforce Initiative to grow the talent pipeline of skilled workers for Southeastern Pennsylvania’s manufacturers by spreading awareness of the exciting and rewarding careers available in the industry. So far DVIRC has raised $764,000 of its $1 million fundraising goal to support this effort.
Interested in supporting the Workforce Initiative? Click here to make a donation.
Scott Clemons, Chief Investment Strategist at Brown Brothers Harriman, provided attendees with a comprehensive overview of the state of the economy and manufacturing industry. His insights into current economic trends and their impact on the manufacturing sector proved invaluable for the executives in attendance.
Jeff Kopenitz, from Continuous Improvement Partners, delivered a compelling presentation on the importance of focusing on engagement within organizations. He highlighted how engaged employees can drive productivity and innovation, and shared practical strategies for fostering a culture of engagement in manufacturing companies.
To wrap up the conference, JR McGee from DVIRC and X-Stream Leadership Group discussed accountability and motivational tools to support organizational success. McGee shared effective techniques for promoting accountability and motivation among team members, ensuring that manufacturing leaders left the event equipped with practical tools for driving performance.
Overall, the DVIRC Manufacturing Executives Conference was a resounding success and we want to thank our partners, speakers, and sponsors for their amazing support. With expert speakers covering a range of topics from workforce trends to engagement strategies, attendees gained valuable insights to navigate the challenges and opportunities in the manufacturing industry. The event fostered networking opportunities, knowledge sharing, and collaboration, reinforcing DVIRC’s commitment to supporting the growth and success of the manufacturing community.
Click the button below to view and download the slides from the event.
Interested in getting involved in DVIRC’s Network Groups or learning more about our services and offerings? Contact Customer Success and Support Specialist, Teri Grumbrecht, to get started.
Thank you to all our sponsors who made this event a success! Cresa, PECO, Insperity, Mufson Howe Hunter & Co. LLC, NSM Insurance Group, Source Advisors, Tycor Financial Group, Univest, CompuData Inc., Core Business Solutions, Inc., Brand Llama, Cohen Seglias, FlexIP Solutions, Human Capital Consulting Partners (HCC Partners)