Allen-Manning to headline Manufacturing First 2025
Wisconsin’s largest manufacturing conference returns to Resch Expo in Green Bay Oct. 29.
Registration is now open for the 15th annual Manufacturing First Expo & Conference, an Insight Publications event hosted in partnership with the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance and presented by First Business Bank.
This year’s keynote speaker is Betsy Allen-Manning, owner and CEO of the award-winning firm Destination Workplace, who will present “How Visionary Leaders Improve Engagement, Develop Talent & Build a Culture That People Love.” Allen-Manning will open the day’s events by presenting on the changing workplace and how today’s leaders need up-to-date strategies to keep employees happy, make people feel valued, create work-life balance and inspire employee longevity.
Allen-Manning developed her Destination Workplace system as a multi-pronged approach to helping companies become employers of choice. She has worked with high-profile global firms such as BMW, IKEA and Discover, as well as prestigious universities including MIT and UCLA, achieving 75% improvements in workplace engagement and 50% improvements in productivity among the 15,000-plus team members she has trained throughout her career. She is also the author of the 2017 book “Win With People: 52 Keys to Connect & Communicate Successfully” and co-author of the 2016 book “Life in the Fast Lane.”
“I’ve seen numerous keynote speakers, and I was so impressed when I saw Betsy’s compelling and inspiring message,” says NEWMA Executive Director Ann Franz, who helps secure Manufacturing First’s speaker lineup each year. “I knew we had to have her speak at Manufacturing First.”
In addition to Allen-Manning’s keynote address, the daylong event will feature informative breakout sessions and a sprawling expo floor with hundreds of exhibits, networking opportunities and prize giveaways.
Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting sales@insightonbusiness.com or your Insight Publications account executive. Manufacturing First is an opportunity to reach more than 1,000 business and manufacturing leaders from across not only the 18-county Northeast region, but all of Wisconsin. The event also attracts more than 300 high school students each year to learn about manufacturing careers.
The early-bird registration rate of $125 is available now through Aug. 8 at manufacturingfirst.com. The individual registration fee will increase to $175 Aug. 9. Exhibitor booths are also available starting at $950.
Imaginasium re-imagines as Stoke RGA
The manufacturing marketing firm formerly known as Imaginasium has re-branded as Stoke RGA, with a fresh focus on helping $75M+ Midwest manufacturing companies implement the five‑stage Revenue Growth Accelerator (the RGA in the company’s new name). Owner Jen Fietz says Imaginasium’s transition to Stoke RGA reflects a deeper commitment to the realities of modern manufacturing that have been reflected in the frustrations industrial leaders have expressed to her over the years: stalled growth, siloed teams, disconnected tactics, missed targets and strategy that doesn’t translate into results. To learn more about the company’s strategic shift, listen to episode 76 of the NEW Manufacturing Insights podcast or visit stokerga.com.
Nominations open for Sustainable Business Awards
The Sustainable Business Council is now accepting nominations for its annual awards through Aug. 11. To be eligible, businesses must be SBC members located in the Upper Midwest. The awards recognize exceptional leadership, initiative and innovation resulting in tangible improvements and positive impacts. Learn more and submit nominations at wisconsinsustainability.com/awards. Video nominations are also accepted. Videos should address the same questions as the form and can be uploaded directly or shared via YouTube or Vimeo.
NWTC Tech Challenge promotes problem solving
In May, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College welcomed nearly 200 high school juniors and seniors to its Green Bay and Marinette campuses for the college’s annual Tech Challenge. Participants solved real-world scenarios across multiple program areas, including business, digital arts, construction, automotive, STEM, welding, electro mechanical technology and automation technology.
