SJVMA summit file photo

The San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance (SVJMA) and Fresno Business Council have opened registration for the 7th annual “Valley Made” manufacturing summit — and also announced the event’s keynote speaker.

This year’s summit takes place Nov. 3 at the Fresno Convention Center Exhibit Hall. The keynote speaker is Butterball Farms, Inc., CEO Mark Peters.

Butterball Farms (not the turkey brand) is a second-generation family business based in Michigan that is the nation’s leading producer of culinary butter and margarine. It also creates custom flavored butter for some of the country’s biggest food brands.

Peters is also the founder of The Source, a nonprofit organization as well as a book that helps workers navigate personal challenges that interfere with their jobs.

“My desire is to share what I’ve learned in a way that inspires Summit attendees to take action that will have a positive impact on the world and their community,” said Peters.

The “Valley Made” manufacturing summit is designed as a workshop and resource expo to highlight the Central Valley’s innovation in manufacturing, and to provide manufacturers with networking and resource opportunities.

The theme for this year’s summit is “The Power of Unity,” showcasing the collaboration between manufacturers, educators, government and industry to grow the San Joaquin Valley’s $19.3 billion manufacturing industry — especially at a time when the region is receiving unprecedented levels of funding to advance the workforce.

“At the SJVMA our goal is to provide manufacturers with the needed resources and connections to attract and retain the next generation workforce to continue on a path of growth for the industry and region,” said Liz McIlvaine, SJVMA board chair and president/CEO of Total Concept Enterprises. “SJVMA brings a synergy that serves not only manufacturing but service providers and the region as a whole. We are eager to bring everyone together again to network, share best practices, learn and gain valuable insights about the future of manufacturing in our Valley. We are also proud to have such an incredible mind as our keynote speaker, Mark Peters, whose keynote address titled ‘From Ignorance to Insight to Impact’ will be impactful and eye-opening.” 

More than 1,000 manufacturing industry attendees are expected to participate in the event.

The “Valley Made” manufacturing summit will take place on Nov. 3 from 8 am to 4:30 pm at the Fresno Convention Center Exhibit Hall.

For more information, or to register for the event, visit www.sjvma.org