MANUFACTURE AMERICA
At West Virginia University
DRAFT AGENDA
8:45-10:00 am Registration
9:45-9:55 am Welcome — James P. Clements, President, West Virginia University
9:55-10:00 am Introduction—Nicole Y. Lamb-Hale, Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing and Services, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
10:00 – 10:50 am Panel Discussion 1: Company Success Stories:
Moderator: Nicole Lamb-Hale, Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing and Services, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
Attendees will hear how some local manufacturers have retooled and how they have repositioned themselves for the 21st century. Representatives from different industry sectors will share their success stories on what it takes to continue to be competitive in these difficult times.
10:50-11:00 am Break
11:00-11:10 am Introduction—Secretary of Commerce West Virginia Kelley Goes
11:10-12 p.m. Panel Discussion 2: Overview of Resources: Local, State, and Federal Service Providers
Moderator WV Secretary of Commerce Kelley Goes
Panelists from federal and state government agencies will share their views on future business opportunities and provide some key contacts for resources that are available to manufacturers interested in improving their efficiency or sustainability, as well as resources to help retool existing facilities to supply the growth industries of the 21st century.
12:00-12:25 pm Break/Pick-up Boxed Lunch
12:30 pm Introduction to luncheon speaker: Asst. Secretary Nicole Lamb-Hale
12:35-1:00 pm Lunch Guest Speaker: To Be Confirmed
1:00-3:00pm Service Provider Trade Show: A One Stop Shop for Connecting with Service Providers
Representatives from various agencies and firms will be available to answer questions, solve problems, arrange for site visits and follow up. Booths with information will remain open through the breakout sessions. Individual agencies can staff their tables as available.
2:00-3:45 pm Afternoon Plenary and Information Sessions
Attendees will hear from experts on specific issues, including how to find access to capital, and be able to choose from one of several sessions on how a company can be more lean and sustainable to reduce costs, how to find new export opportunities if they are a new entrant to the global market, or how to find the resources to revamp your workforce to meet the needs for new business opportunities. These sessions are meant for discussion, as well as question and answers.
2:00-3:00 pm Panel: Access to Capital for Manufacturers (participants TBC)
3:00-3:10 pm Break
3:10-3:50 pm Information Session on: Efficient and Sustainable Manufacturing
3:10-3:50 pm Information Session: New to Market Exporting
3:10-3:50 pm Information Session: Workforce Training
3:55-4:15 pm Recap and Commitment to Follow Up