2026 Evansville Region MFG Summit

October 29, 2026

Description

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.

Meet Our Speakers 

Andrew Berger
President & CEO, Indiana Manufacturers Association
Andrew leads Indiana’s premier manufacturing advocacy organization and brings over a decade of legislative and economic development experience focused on business policy, tax reform, and workforce advancement.

Billy Ray Taylor
CEO, LinkedXL

Billy Ray Taylor is the CEO of LinkedXL, creator of LinkedXL-OS, and a globally recognized executive, keynote speaker, and best-selling author of The Winning Link. With more than 30 years of manufacturing leadership experience, Billy is known for helping organizations build high-performing cultures through leadership, accountability, and disciplined execution. Prior to founding LinkedXL, he led Goodyear's North American manufacturing operations, driving one of the company's largest operational turnarounds—from a multi-million-dollar loss to more than $1 billion in operating profit.