SJVMA summit file photo

This year’s San Joaquin Manufacturing Alliance 10th Annual “Valley Made” Manufacturing Summit will focus the continuing merging of education and industry to bolster the Central Valley’s, and California’s future workforce.

The summit will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fresno Convention Center Exhibit Hall in Downtown Fresno.

SJVMA CEO Genelle Taylor Kumpe said this year’s summit is meaningful because it celebrates a decade of bringing people together.

What started as a bold idea has grown into the region’s premier event driving innovation, workforce development and collaboration in manufacturing.

This year’s keynote speaker is Oren Cass, founder and chief of economist of American Compass, a think thank for conservative economics, and a contributing writer for the Financial Times and the New York Times.

He has written about reshoring, workforce alignment and the need for domestic manufacturing as the foundation of long-term prosperity.

He also served as domestic policy director for Gov. Mitt Romney’s 2021 presidential campaign.

“What makes his perspective so powerful for us is that it connects directly to what we’re already doing in the Valley. Millions of federal dollars have been committed to the efforts of several different organizations to work collaboratively and invest their time in advanced manufacturing programs and workforce training,” Kumpe said.

Guests can also attend breakout sessions and an expo with dozens of exhibitors.

“At its core, the Summit is about collaboration. We want people to walk into the room and see themselves as part of something larger than their own company,” Kumpe said.

She said the summit showcases industry leaders of the Central Valley, with representation from every part of the Valley’s $19.3 billion manufacturing sector — food processors, advanced manufacturers, industry suppliers and technology firms.

It also includes HR leaders, workforce developers and educational partners.

This year the summit is introducing the Power Hour, a high-energy session where people can continue conversations from the breakout rooms and keynote address, connect with new partners and mold ideas they can put into practice with their own companies.

The Power Hour is a business-to-business exchange with collaborative spaces, local food and beverages for participants to enjoy and time for people to reflect on what they’ve learned.

Kumpe said the summit also delivers results. Last year’s events led to new business partnerships, direct hiring and stronger connections across sectors, she said.

For more information, visit sjvma.org/summit.