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October 28th & 29th

Marriott Kansas City - Overland Park, KS

Hosted by

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Join the Kansas City Chapter of the National Tooling & Machining Association and the Missouri Association of Manufacturers for two days of connecting and learning. Featuring 60 exhibitors and 8 educational breakout sessions, this event is designed to help manufacturers learn, network and grow their operations.

ATTENDEE PASSES

Attendee passes include:

  • Access to Exhibit Floor featuring 60 Exhibitors

  • Access to all 8 Conference Breakout Sessions

  • Networking opportunities with hundreds of like-minded industry professionals

  • Breakfast & Lunch provided

ATTENDEE PASS:

​$55

EXHIBIT OPTIONS

All exhibit booths include:

  • 2 Exhibit Representative Passes

  • 6' display table with 2 chairs

  • Additional attendee passes (2, 4 or 6) to give to potential and/or current clients, or special guests (passes valued at $55 each)

  • Access to all 8 Conference Breakout Sessions

  • Networking opportunities with hundreds of like-minded industry professionals

  • Breakfast & Lunch provided

EXHIBIT BOOTH WITH:

2 Additional Attendee Passes - ​$1100

4 Additional Attendee Passes - $1200

6 Additional Attendee Passes - $1300

Electricity for Booth - $120

Attendee and Exhibitor Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made on or before August 28, 2025 will receive a 50% refund.

Cancellations made after August 28, 2025 are nonrefundable. Nonrefundable registrations may be transferred to a work colleague. Please contact the MAM Office for any changes to registrations.

By submitting your registration, you acknowledge you have read and agree to the cancellation policies above.

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Exhibit Floor

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Presenting Sponsor - $5000

  • Brief introduction/opening remarks at reception Tuesday evening

  • Premium booth - 6' table, chairs

  • 2 Sponsor Representative Passes (Breakfast & Lunch included)

  • Logo on all marketing material (print & digital)

  • Listing on Banners/Event Monitors/Conference Signage

  • Logo & link on event website

  • Highlighted on social media

Lunch Sponsor - $2500 

  • Signage at Lunch Serving Tables

  • Premium booth - 6' table, chairs

  • 2 Sponsor Representative Passes (Breakfast & Lunch included)

  • Listing on Banners/Event Monitors/Conference Signage

  • Logo & link on event website

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Breakfast Sponsor - $2000

  • Signage at Breakfast Serving Tables

  • Premium booth - 6' table, chairs

  • 2 Sponsor Representative Passes (Breakfast & Lunch included)

  • Listing on Banners/Event Monitors/Conference Signage

  • Logo & link on event website

Refreshment Sponsor - $800 

  • Signage at Refreshment Serving Tables

  • ***Booth not included in sponsorship***

  • 2 Attendee Representative Passes (Breakfast & Lunch included)

  • Listing on Banners/Event Monitors/Conference Signage

  • Logo & link on event website

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Room Host Sponsor - $500 (1 remaining)

  • Announce speaker in breakout room (brief introduction of your company)

  • ***Booth not included in sponsorship***

  • 2 Attendee Representative Passes (Breakfast & Lunch included)

  • Listing on Banners/Event Monitors/Conference Signage

  • Logo & link on event website

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CONFERENCE AGENDA

Day 1 - Tuesday, Oct. 28th

2:00pm - 4:00pm
Exhibitor Setup & Attendee Check-In
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Pre-Conference Networking Happy Hour

Day 2 - Wednesday, Oct. 29th

7:30am - 9:00am
Breakfast & Attendee Check-In
9:00am - 11:00am
Expo Floor Open - Network with Exhibitors
11:00am - 11:45am
Breakout Sessions

Workforce is a Shared Asset: Why OEMs and Small Shops Need Each Other

This session explores critical dynamics affecting today’s manufacturing workforce and the surprising ways manufacturers can support its growth and long-term health. We’ll examine hot topics like workforce demographics and the shortage of training for skilled manufacturing trades, while also diving into more creative territory—such as how buying strategies, thoughtful layoff management, and research around labor mobility can contribute to solving the complex challenges the manufacturing workforce faces in 2025.

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Ryan Borgerding is one of the founders of JARBO Employment Group (a local talent acquisition and consulting company specialized in working with manufacturers) and is a current board member of KCNTMA. He is a passionate advocate for workforce development within the Kansas City Manufacturing community and helped spearhead development of KCNTMA’s DOL-registered Precision Machining apprenticeship program. His experience spans 12 years, staffing and counseling manufacturing clients in solving their most pressing and imminent talent acquisition problems. Ryan is also a proud husband and girl dad. When he’s not working or chasing his 1-year-old around, you can find him on the water fishing.

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Zane Winter is a Sales Executive with QPS Employment Group, an employee-owned manufacturing recruitment and staffing firm. Zane got an early start in manufacturing, working in his dad’s fabrication shop and working on hot rods. Today, Zane supports companies looking for durable solutions to their workforce challenges, viewing workforce development as integral to his role in recruitment. In his spare time, Zane enjoys being outside, cooking, and rock climbing with his 14-year-old beagle mix in tow.

Re-thinking Promotions: How We Set Up our Supervisors to Fail

We've all done it. We take our best worker and make them a supervisor, then wonder why they struggle. The truth is, we're setting them up to fail from day one. Being great at the job and being great at leading people are completely different skills. Most companies pick people for leadership roles when they need someone, instead of developing them before they need them. Join this interactive workshop to discover why good workers often become frustrated supervisors and what you can do about it. We'll explore the real reason promotions fail and introduce a simple framework for building trust-based leadership. You'll leave with practical insights and actionable strategies to stop setting your next supervisor up for failure and start thinking about leadership development differently. If you've ever watched a great employee struggle after being promoted, this session will show you a better way forward.

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Ryan Nelson brings over three decades of leadership development experience across non-profit, customer service industry, and manufacturing sectors. His exposure to manufacturing leadership began 30 years ago, learning from a mentor who rose from pushing a broom to company president—demonstrating that great leaders serve their teams, not just manage them. In today's rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape, Ryan is transforming leadership development through innovative approaches that bridge the gap between technical expertise and effective people leadership. As founder of Circle of 5, he helps organizations build strong leaders, unite teams, and create lasting cultural change that meets the demands of modern manufacturing environments.

Digital Sales is Hiding in Plain Sight

While 70% of B2B buyers prefer remote interactions, only 25% of manufacturers have embraced eCommerce. This presentation cuts through the complexity to deliver a practical, no-nonsense roadmap for manufacturers ready to optimize their order workflow. Not only will admin operations be easier, but your buyers will find what they need with less interaction, freeing your sales team to bring in more business. To wrap it up, Joseph will share several proven AI recipes to kickstart your journey with ease.

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Joseph Maxwell was transplanted to the Kansas City area at the tender age of one, so this area is all he remembers. He started in software development at ten, writing a "shopping cart" program at fifteen. He founded SwiftOtter in 2016 and is passionate about helping manufacturers become more efficient and sell more using technology. He lives in Olathe with his wonderful wife and three energetic children.

CMMC Compliance for DoD Contractors

Join SSE’s compliance experts for an update on the latest developments, as well as a deep-dive into why a comprehensive Gap Assessment is essential to your organization finding the best path to NIST 800-171 and CMMC compliance. Whether you're just beginning your compliance journey or struggling with current efforts, this session will reveal how the right assessment and deliverables can save time, reduce costs and help ensure audit readiness. • Understand the critical role of Gap Assessments • Discover why organizations that skip proper gap assessments often face costly remediation delays and failed audits. • Explore SSE's systematic approach to evidence collection and evaluation, from IT infrastructure analysis to policy review. See exactly what deliverables you should expect. • Case studies and actual results

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Elizabeth Niedringhaus is the President and CEO of Systems Service Enterprises, Inc. (SSE), a WOSB that was founded by her mother, Susan S. Elliott in 1966. Since the advent of the PC in 1983, SSE has been recognized as a leader in IT and Training solutions; most recently in the top 100 of all IT managed service providers worldwide by MSPMentor. Serving the defense industrial base and financial services sector since 2009, SSE has a robust network and cybersecurity services practice that is focused on compliance. As an ISO 9001:2015 certified organization, has not only the technical expertise, but the disciplined processes and business maturity to deliver world-class solutions. With 300 employees, SSE is headquartered in St. Louis with a sister office in Jacksonville, FL and is able to serve clients throughout all 50 states.

Bob joined SSE as Vice President of Sales and Marketing in July 2020. He currently oversees SSE’s Client Engagement/Account Management team and is responsible for the strategic growth of the Network Services business unit as well as SSE’s marketing initiatives. Prior to SSE, Bob was Director of National Sales for Gannett where he was responsible for new business development and sales initiatives across a national network of more than 100 local media properties and USA TODAY. Bob is a graduate of Truman State University and has almost 20 years of sales leadership and experience in developing client relationships and revenue growth across multiple industries.

11:45am - 12:45pm
Lunch
12:45pm - 1:30pm
Breakout Sessions

Speed or Precision? Solving the Question of How to Accelerate Throughput Without Scarificing Quality

In this session, we’ll review how the Head of Quality used the scientific method to prove out the financial value of his inspection improvement hypothesis. In addition, we’ll review final results of the recommendation implemented on the production line – including the technical specifications, application design, and performance metrics for both inspection reports and business bottom line. Key Takeaways: · Methodologies for presenting test scenarios within your organization’s leaders · Alternative approaches to consolidate inspections of complex geometry · Best practices for increasing throughput without sacrificing quality

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As Managing Director, U.S. for MTL Precision, Emily Elizabeth is responsible for customer experience of the organization’s U.S.-based customers – a role that often involves creative thinking to solve the challenges that come with inspecting unique geometries. Prior to joining MTL Precision, a 25-year-old Israeli-based metrology systems provider, Emily supported organizations focused on risk reduction strategies, managing regulatory compliance, and optimizing internal auditing practices.

Strategic Growth - Leveraging Professional Networks

The presentation outlines a strategic approach to using professional associations for business development. It emphasizes selecting the right networks by researching engagement opportunities, leadership roles, and event schedules. The presentation encourages active participation—attending all events, volunteering, and joining committees—to build visibility and credibility. It highlights the importance of understanding membership benefits, such as access to member lists and sponsorship opportunities. Attendees are advised on how to effectively network at events, including how to approach people nd follow up on LinkedIn. Overall, it promotes a proactive, intentional, and relationship-driven approach to professional networking.

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Samantha Howell is a dynamic sales leader with a career rooted in relationship-building, strategic growth, and authentic leadership. Currently serving as Director of Sales at EMCOR Services Fagan, she leads a high-performing team and also serves as a national sales trainer, helping shape the next generation of sales professionals across the organization. Her path into sales began in fundraising and evolved into the construction services industry, but one thing has remained constant: her love for the sales process and the deep satisfaction that comes from building lasting customer relationships. Samantha’s journey hasn’t been linear—she’s experienced the challenges of poor leadership and misaligned environments, which ultimately inspired her personal mantra: “Find My People.” This mission drives her to seek out and surround herself with values-aligned professionals, both as colleagues and clients. Samantha is a high performer with a passion for professional services sales, and she thrives in spaces where leadership is defined not by title, but by impact. Through her involvement in organizations like the NTMA, She Leads. Women in Manufacturing, Women in Mission Critical Operations, and BOMA, she helps others build their professional currency, develop soft skills, and find their own communities. For Samantha, leadership is about creating platforms for others to shine—and helping them find their people along the way.

You Can't Outsell a Broken Culture

You Can’t Outsell a Broken Culture: Building Profit Through People, Purpose, and Process This session addresses one of the toughest truths in manufacturing: you cannot sell your way out of operational cracks caused by a broken culture. Too often, companies try to cover missed deadlines, mistakes, and disengagement on the floor by pushing sales harder. The result is a costly cycle of turnover, strained teams, frustrated customers, and shrinking margins. The discussion will explore why culture is the hidden driver of profit and how aligning people, purpose, and process creates a foundation for sustainable growth. Attendees will learn how to: Establish clear goals and measurables for every role Ensure the right people are in the right seats through assessment and alignment tools Build and maintain an operational system that runs on process, not tribal knowledge Create psychological safety so teams can thrive and innovate Connect daily work to both company purpose and personal purpose Participants will leave with a practical framework to reduce chaos, strengthen accountability, and transform culture from a hidden liability into a true competitive advantage.

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With more than 25 years in manufacturing, Lindsay Howerton has run plants, led teams, and tackled the real world challenges of people, process, and performance on the front lines. She is the founder of How Consulting, a fractional COO firm that partners with organizations to strengthen culture, drive accountability, and improve operational excellence. Lindsay has worked with more than 70 organizations across 35 industries, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, helping leaders reduce turnover, eliminate costly mistakes, and replace tribal knowledge with systems that deliver consistent results. Her expertise spans industries including manufacturing, food and beverage, distribution, construction, agriculture, technology, and professional services. Passionate about fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and achieving sustainable growth, Lindsay is committed to her mission of impacting one million lives by equipping organizations to thrive from the inside out.

Manufacturers’ Guide to the Big Beautiful Bill & Helpful Tax Credits

Session Description Coming Soon

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Speaker bio

1:30pm - 5:00pm
Expo Floor Open-Network with Exhibitors
5:00pm - 6:00pm
Event Concludes - Exhibitor Load out

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Marriott Kansas City Overland Park Hotel and Convention Center is offering special discounted rates to everyone joining us for the Kansas City Manufacturers Expo!

The deadline to book a room at the discounted rate is

Wednesday, October 8th. Reserve your room below.

Marriott Kansas City Overland Park

10800 Metcalf Avenue​

Overland Park, KS 66210

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