Driven by Innovation 2025

Driven By Innovation
As the pace of transformation accelerates, this NEW event offers a strategic lens on what?s next: from scaling automation and integrating AI to developing future-ready talent and building resilient, intelligent operations. You?ll hear directly from executives and innovators who are leading the charge in Industry 4.0 and shaping the future of advanced innovation.

Through dynamic keynote panels, focused breakout sessions, and peer-driven roundtable discussions, you?ll gain practical insights, explore real-world success stories, and walk away with actionable strategies to fuel innovation and long-term growth in your organization.

Designed for industry leaders, engineers, OEMs, and technology innovators. If you?re responsible for driving change, developing talent, or deploying technology in a complex and evolving environment?this is your space to connect, collaborate, and drive what's next.
 

Key Features:

• Expert-led keynote panel discussions and breakout sessions
• Peer roundtables with fellow industry leaders, engineers, OEMs, and technology innovators 
• Discover new business solutions, trends, and strategies that drive success

Agenda:

  7:30 AM  Registration, Breakfast & Exhibitor Showcase
  8:30 AM  Opening Keynote Panel | Leading the Future: Trends That Will Define What's Next
10:00 AM  Breakout Sessions
11:00 AM  General Session Panel | Future-Ready Talent: Bridging Education and Industry 4.0
11:50 AM  Networking Lunch
12:45 AM  Breakout Sessions
  1:45 PM  Innovation Roundtables: Collaborate. Share. Lead.
  2:30 PM  Closing Keynote Panel | Innovation at Scale: Strategies, Technologies & Success Stories
  3:30 PM  Program Concludes
 

Opening Keynote Presentation
Leading the Future: Trends That Will Define What?s Next
Join industry leaders for a powerful discussion on the top trends reshaping the future. This panel explores how executives are navigating AI integration, intelligent automation, workforce transformation, sustainability, and digital resilience to drive innovation and long-term growth. Gain insights into the strategies, technologies, and partnerships fueling success in an Industry 4.0 world.

Michael Cicco
President & CEO,
FANUC


Marie Szymanski 
General Manager, NA Industrial Assembly Solutions
Atlas Copco

 
Jeff Stover 
President and CEO
IEE Smart Sensing Solutions, Inc.


Quentin L. Messer Jr.
Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer
Michigan Economic Development Corporation

 

Breakout Sessions:

1) Accelerating Innovation: Your Roadmap to AI-Driven Transformation:
Discover how leaders are navigating the road to AI transformation unlocking new levels of efficiency, agility, and data-driven decision-making. Explore practical strategies for integrating AI into systems, bridging the gap between legacy operations and intelligent innovation.

Co-Presenters:

• Vishal Mandvekar, Director of Sales Engineering & IT Solutions, Akkodis
• Kevin Douglas, Executive Director of Engineering, Nexteer Automotive
   

2) Funding and Incentives That Drive a Return on Innovation (ROI): 
Explore how to unlock funding and incentives that fuel innovation and deliver measurable ROI. This session highlights key federal, state, and local programs, with tips on identifying opportunities, navigating applications, and maximizing impact. Learn from real-world case studies of companies that turned incentives into growth accelerators.

Speakers:

• Paula Holtz, EDFP, Managing Director, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
• Dom Holmes, Director of Economic Development at Oakland County
• Ingrid Tighe, President, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center

Morning General Session
Future-Ready Talent: Bridging Education and Industry 4.0
A high-impact discussion on how universities are evolving to meet the demands of automation, AI, and smart manufacturing. This is a unique opportunity for industry leaders to shape the future workforce by sharing insights on the skills needed to thrive in Industry 4.0.

Louay Chamra, PhD 
Dean, School of Engineering & Computer Science, 
Oakland University


Karl Daubmann, PhD 
Provost, 
Lawrence Technological University


Scott Grassman, PhD 
Dean, College of Engineering, 
Kettering University


Michelle Scherer, PhD 
Dean, College of Engineering,
Michigan Technological University


Glenn Stevens 
Executive Director,

MichAuto
 

Breakout Sessions:

1) The EV Ripple Effect: Navigating the Transition
The shift to electric vehicles is reshaping advanced manufacturing supply chains, production processes, and workforce requirements. This session explores challenges and opportunities with electrification and how companies can successfully navigate this complex transition.

Speaker: Glenn Stevens, Executive Director, MICHAuto
 
2) Operations & Continuous Improvement: The Road to Zero Defects & Downtime
Achieving zero defects and minimizing downtime are critical goals for maintaining competitiveness. This session highlights proven continuous improvement methodologies, real-world case studies, and practical tools that help optimize processes, enhance quality, and maximize uptime.

Co-Presenters:

• Kevin Miskowski, VP Business Operations, ABB Robotics
• Sung Moon, President and CEO, Shield Material Handling

Afternoon General Session 
Innovation at Scale: Strategies, Technologies & Success Stories
Discover how leading companies are scaling innovatively to boost productivity, reduce costs, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape. Experts share real-world strategies, emerging tools, and lessons learned from successful initiatives. Gain practical insights to help your organization move from pilot projects to enterprise-wide impact.
 

Innovation Roundtables: Collaborate. Share. Lead.

1) Driving Strategic Innovation: Making Bold Moves with Confidence
Collaborate with peers on how organizations are making strategic innovation moves (adopting scalable tech, investing in flexible infrastructure, and aligning with future market needs) while balancing speed, risk, and long-term impact.

2) Digital Tools & AI: What?s Working, What?s Not
Share real-world experiences and ideas where AI and digital tools are delivering results, and where others and where the hype isn?t matching reality.

3) People + Automation: Adapting Roles & Engaging Talent
Exchange ideas how evolving roles, upskilling teams, and keeping employees engaged in an increasingly automated environment can be accomplished.

 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Why Sponsor? High visibility amongst key decision makers and manufacturing industry leaders