Manufacturing Our Future
Summit 2000
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
MANUFACTURING OUR FUTURE: THE SUMMIT 2000 is scheduled for Wednesday,
October 11, 2023 at the Worcester Centrum Centre.
The SUMMIT is in conjunction with the AM
EXPO NEW ENGLAND, which is the largest automated manufacturing show in the
Northeast. This year’s SUMMIT will highlight the existing infrastructure in
Central Massachusetts to encourage existing and new companies to expand in this
region.
With its proximity to Boston, Cambridge and Route 128,
Worcester County is the ideal location to manufacture the end products of
research from the new and exploding markets in the areas of Biomedical Research,
Telecommunications and Technology products. This fourth annual conference will
present seminars on real estate opportunities, technological infrastructure and
educational partnerships to illustrate how well prepared to compete in the
global economy.
Manufacturing has been a major economic force in Central Massachusetts since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. It remains a significant part of that economy today. From its beginnings in 1997, MANUFACTURING OUR FUTURE: THE SUMMIT has had as its primary focus the continued development and strengthening of the Worcester County’s manufacturing economy. This annual economic summit brings together the region’s considerable expertise in business, education and government to assess and explore the strengths and weaknesses in the Worcester County manufacturing community with the express aim of greatly enhancing this vital and historically significant aspect of the region’s economy.
In preparation for THE SUMMIT
focus groups meet to identify the specific needs of the manufacturing community
and to find solutions that can be implemented and monitored to meet those needs.
By creating a convergence of differing points of view and different
resources, these groups have been able to significantly effect the problems
facing the nearly 1600 small manufacturers in the region.
It has been through these efforts that “clusters” of companies that
have similar needs and interests have developed to enhance their competitiveness
through discussion of common issues and group purchasing of essentials such as
utilities and health care.
One of the key issues facing
manufacturers that has been addressed by The Summit has been the education and
training of both management and workers. Through
the efforts of both manufacturers and the education community, significant steps
have been taken toward creating a better-trained workforce.
Training classes to upgrade the skills of workers and school-to-work
programs to encourage high school students to think seriously about careers in
manufacturing have been a major part of this new alliance formed between the
Education Community and Business. By substantially increasing labor’s skill,
manufacturers are better able to incorporate new technologies that will make
them more competitive in world markets.
The past three summits have served
their purpose well. They have raised the profile of manufacturing in the eyes of
the larger community. The city of
Worcester and its surrounding communities have come to realize the importance of
this sector in the regional economy. Regional
economic planning now incorporates manufacturing as one of its major components.
No longer is there a sense that manufacturing is dying in Central
Massachusetts. The emphasis now is
on continuing to expand the manufacturing base in Central Massachusetts, which
accounts for 74% of the economic sector, through the efforts of many different
organizations, both private and public.
It is time to say, “WE CAN MAKE IT HERE.”
If you are interested in learning more about this exciting event, please contact Katherine Mahoney by clicking on the e-mail address: [email protected].
AGENDA FOR THE SUMMIT
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
8:00
– 8:30 Registration
8:30 a.m.
Welcome Remarks by Paul Kennedy
The Honorable James P. McGovern, Congressman 3rd Congressional
District
The Honorable Richard Neal, Congressman 2nd Congressional
District
Leslie Parks, Economic Development Director for the City of San Jose
9:00
a.m. Real
Estate Initiatives
·
David Forsberg, President Worcester Business
Development Corporation
·
Michael Hogan, Executive Director Mass Development
·
Michael Lanava, Director of Industry Development City of
Fitchburg
·
Susan Houston, Executive Director Massachusetts Alliance
for Economic
Development
·
Everett Shaw, Chief Economic Development Director for the
City of Worcester
9:45
a.m.
Pathways to Education
·
Dr. Frank Loew, President Becker College, Chairman
Colleges of
Worcester Consortium
·
Sandra Kurtinitis, President Quinsigamond Community
College
·
Dennis Ferrante, Dir of Occupational Education Programs
Worc Public Schools
·
Brian Gilmore, Executive Vice President Public Affairs,
Associated Industries of
Massachusetts
10:15
Break
10:45
a.m. Growth
Companies
·
Biomedical
Industry, Kevin O’Sullivan, Vice President of Development
Massachusetts Biomedical Initiative
·
Ann
Hurd, Public Affairs Manager Intel
·
John
E. Campbell, Manager of Facilities American
Superconductor
11:15
Resources for Growth
·
Mark Love, President
and CEO Worcester Area Chamber of Commerce
·
Dr.
Drexhange, CAFA
·
John DeStafano, NeesCOM
·
Charles Sturtevant, Mass MEP
Thomas Hoover, Manager City of Worcester