Main Conference Day 1 - Tuesday October 8

7:00 am - 8:00 am Registration, Check In & Networking Breakfast

8:00 am - 8:05 am Welcome From Conference Director - Doug Power, IQPC

8:05 am - 8:10 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

John Dyck - CEO, CESMII
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John Dyck

CEO
CESMII

The Future of Manufacturing: Resilience, Agility and Growth in a Recovering Economy

The integration of connected worker solutions can lead to significant improvements in operational efficiency, product quality, and a more engaged workforce. However, with complex digital architecture requirements and varied levels of digital literacy across the manufacturing sector, companies will face many challenges during the implementation phase if they are to deliver on their smart factory connected worker plans.  

Our industry leader panellists will discuss: 

  • Driving enterprise optimization and connected worker digital architecture  
  • Driving user adoption through strong leadership and effective change management 
  • Realizing the potential of data-driven connected worker solutions for maximum ROI 
  • Moving from a predictive to a prescriptive operating environment through the utilization of AI, ML & advanced analytics 


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Mike Giresi

Chief Digital Officer
Molex

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Praveen Moturu

Vice President Digital & Global Chief Enterprise Architect
Mars Inc.

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Christopher Micena

Former Sr Director Innovation & Digital
Nestle Purina North America

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Randall Kenny

Senior Principal Data & Analytics for P&O and Head of Product & Performance Anal
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8:40 am - 9:10 am From Trials to Triumph, Maximizing Value of Gen AI Adoption

Durga Kota - Americas Region Chief Technology Officer, Fujitsu North America, Inc

Fujitsu's Chief Technology Officer, Durga Kota, explores the "what, where, and how" of Generative AI, offering insights into the technology's use cases in manufacturing, the business domains where it delivers value, and a roadmap for navigating the challenges and risks associated with its implementation.


  • Leverage an AI framework that avoids pitfalls when implementing Gen AI 
  • Unlock the value from Gen AI: strategies for extracting tangible business value in manufacturing, focusing on high impact use cases, practical solutions, and essential platform features that drive innovation and efficiency.
  • Avoid risks without slowing down: Ensure all crucial considerations are addresses to preserve data privacy, hallucination, and responsible training.


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Durga Kota

Americas Region Chief Technology Officer
Fujitsu North America, Inc

Predictive analytics powered by AI and machine learning can analyze vast amounts of data, predict equipment failures, optimize maintenance  

schedules and streamline production processes. However, many want to take a step further to provide actionable recommendations and insights. Our industry leading panellists will discuss: 

 

• Defining the problems you face, identifying the decision-making objectives, and establishing KPI’s to define business rules 


• Delivering actionable insights and recommendations to guide decision-making 


• Optimizing inventory management by forecasting demand patterns, identifying seasonality and detecting trends 

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Adem Kulauzovic

Director of Automation
Domino Printing

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Dawn Zhu

Director of Innovation
Alliance Laundry Systems LLC

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Amir Kashani

Director AI & Digital Product Development
Stanley Black & Decker Inc

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Rohit Ugle

Technical Specialist Data Science and Machine Learning
Caterpillar Inc

9:40 am - 10:20 am Combining Knowledge AI and Data AI to form Automated Reasoning

Ron Norris - Director of Innovation, Georgia-Pacific

● Exploring how a combination of Knowledge AI and Data AI form Automated Reasoning

● Leveraging advanced Causal AI empowers enterprises with unprecedented insights that go far beyond correlations and data-centric artificial intelligence.

● Using the technology to enhance operational efficiency, enable proactive decision-making, minimize downtime, and optimize resource utilization.

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Ron Norris

Director of Innovation
Georgia-Pacific

10:20 am - 10:25 am Introduction to The Joy Factory

Brian Jacoby - SVP of Sales and Marketing, The Joy Factory
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Brian Jacoby

SVP of Sales and Marketing
The Joy Factory

10:25 am - 10:55 am Morning Networking Break

Track A - Digital Architecture & Innovative Technologies

10:55 am - 11:25 am Panel: Industry 4.0 Architecture for Complex Manufacturing Operations
Grant Ecker - Founder & Chairman, Chief Architect Network
Heitor Cauneto - Global Manufacturing Excellence and Digital Transformation Sr Director, Bunge

Digital architecture has evolved over time in response to complex smart manufacturing requirements, and many companies are now looking to develop an enterprise architecture that will support their digital transformation plans. Join this panel to discuss: 


● How has architecture evolved over time in response to smart manufacturing requirements?

● Connecting the Architects across the company to understand where we can create value

● Modernizing and giving our workforce the visibility they need to run manufacturing lines

● Scaling the architecture across multiple sites with reference architectures

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Grant Ecker

Founder & Chairman
Chief Architect Network

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Heitor Cauneto

Global Manufacturing Excellence and Digital Transformation Sr Director
Bunge

Track A - Digital Architecture & Innovative Technologies

11:25 am - 11:55 am Case Study: Magnify Human Expertise and Creativity for Problem Solving with Visual Data Science and AI
Brad Hopper - VP of Vertical Markets, Cloud Software Group
  • Why do manufacturers still struggle to find data insights when they have so many analytical tools to choose from?
  • Will the latest algorithm unlock quality and productivity at your factory? How do we know that this is not the right question to ask?
  • How can AI be a multiplier of engineering expertise instead of an alternative to it?
  • Which companies have figured out how to harness the expertise and creativity of their engineering teams and how have they done it? 


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Brad Hopper

VP of Vertical Markets
Cloud Software Group

Track A - Digital Architecture & Innovative Technologies

11:55 am - 12:25 pm Presentation: The Technical Challenges of Making Robotics, AI, and Advanced Automation Accessible for Use by Manufacturers
Michael Skocik - Director of Federal Technology Initiatives, The ARM Institute
  • Why manufacturers need robotics, AI, and advanced automation 
  • What are the challenges of applying robotics to manufacturing processes 
  • Ways of addressing the challenges 
  • Successful strategies for using manufacturing robotics 
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Michael Skocik

Director of Federal Technology Initiatives
The ARM Institute

Track A - Digital Architecture & Innovative Technologies

12:25 pm - 12:55 pm Case Study: Cyber Security & the Connected Worker: Securing Operational Technology and enabling the workforce with Microsoft Copilot
George Ifebuzo - Senior Manager - OT Cybersecurity Consulting, EY
  • Scale resourced expertise using generative AI.
  • Discover how Microsoft Copilot addresses your OT security challenges.
  • Bridge the gap between OT cyber and the business to help contextualize the operational impact of OT cyber events.
  • Address the talent gap to build an OT cyber capability.
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George Ifebuzo

Senior Manager - OT Cybersecurity Consulting
EY

To drive access to real-time information and enhance decision making on the plant floor, you need to consider building data analytics capability across your enterprise. Join this panel to discuss: 

● Overcoming time-consuming processes and disparate data sources 

● Moving from data silos to a connected agile system 

● Driving the right actions in the right places through real-time actionable insights 

● Consolidating workflows and access data from disparate systems 

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Robert Einspar

Director of Manufacturing Excellence
Mark Anthony Brewing

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Carlos Pineda

Head of Data Analytics, Data and Insights NA and Global Markets
Diageo

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Vishal Vandrangi

Manager Operational Data Analytics
MSI Express

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Brandon Leander

Global Head Seeds Data & Analytics
Syngenta

Traditional onboarding methods can be costly, time-consuming and ineffective. Many companies are exploring the use of AR/VR which can create an immersive and interactive experience personalized to the individual’s training requirements. Join this panel to discuss: 


● Reimagining how you train and onboard employees so you can train people faster, cheaper, and safer 

● Training your employees with a more immersive and engaging experience

● Creating realistic, context-based training scenarios that mimic real-word situations 

● Developing a modern learning experience that responds to expectations from your new digital native workforce

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Marla Fons

Program Manager – Training & Organizational Development
KUKA U.S. Holdings Company LLC

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Amanda Clarida

Senior Manager Learning Design
Volvo Trucks

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Lisa Masciantonio

Chief Workforce Officer
ARM - Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing

Track B – Digital Transformation

11:25 am - 11:55 am Capturing and Scaling Excellence using AR
Mike Lawoo - Manager Supply Chain, AR/VR, EY

● Capture and share expert knowledge as experienced resources leave your workforce.

● Empower your next generation workforce with a modern, in-context way of learning.

● Validate quality of work process compliance.

● Capture and consolidate process execution data to drive continuous improvement.

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Mike Lawoo

Manager Supply Chain, AR/VR
EY

Track B – Digital Transformation

11:55 am - 12:25 pm Case Study: Kraft Heinz Presents its Strategy to Achieve a Leap in Manufacturing Performance and Productivity through a Data-Driven Culture
Gabriel Rodrigues - Partner/Director Operations Practices, Falconi
Tiago Machado - Co-Founder, ST-One
Oliver Ganschar - Head of Digital Manufacturing Transformation North America, The Kraft Heinz Company
  • A case study on the implementation of management practices that incorporate data into the decision-making process
  • How ST-One technology is helping to enrich the performance visibility of the assets through data collection, exploration and analysis
  • The adoption of digital technologies in manufacturing in a world of multi-tiered operations
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Gabriel Rodrigues

Partner/Director Operations Practices
Falconi

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Tiago Machado

Co-Founder
ST-One

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Oliver Ganschar

Head of Digital Manufacturing Transformation North America
The Kraft Heinz Company

Track B – Digital Transformation

12:25 pm - 12:55 pm How to Achieve REAL Results with AI in Enterprise Asset Management
Jeff Kinard - EVP Corporate Development, Prometheus Group

● How asset-intensive businesses can tap into the power of AI

● Challenges of not embracing digital transformation

● How AI can be used in master data and asset performance management

● The key benefits of utilizing AI to enhance asset management processes

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Jeff Kinard

EVP Corporate Development
Prometheus Group

Track B – Digital Transformation

12:55 pm - 1:25 pm Panel: Upskilling and Reskilling in the Age of AI to Create an Agile Workforce with a Diversified Skill Set
Amy Ashley - Director of Learning & Development, Caterpillar
Jungwoo Ryoo - Chancellor & Chief Academic Officer, Penn State Dubois
Conrad Leiva - VP Ecosystem & Workforce Education, CESMII

● Building workforce capability in response to AI-driven transformation efforts

● Upskilling existing talent to improve workforce retention and employee engagement

● Benchmarking the current skills of your workforce to understand learning requirements and ensure skill transformation is measurable

● Developing AI skills augmented with creativity, communication, and critical thinking to ensure operational agility

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Amy Ashley

Director of Learning & Development
Caterpillar

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Jungwoo Ryoo

Chancellor & Chief Academic Officer
Penn State Dubois

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Conrad Leiva

VP Ecosystem & Workforce Education
CESMII

1:25 pm - 2:25 pm Networking Luncheon

Recent research has shown that 76% of manufacturers either have a smart factory initiative that is ongoing or are working on formulating it. However, only 14% of companies are satisfied with their level of success. Join this keynote panel to explore the essential considerations you need to make to realize the potential of your smart factory development plans: 

  • Building a framework that is easily adopted by a multigenerational workforce with varying levels of expertize 
  • Prioritizing areas that offer the greatest return on investment and developing KPI’s to measure their impact 
  • Overcoming technology paralysis in a crowded solution provider market 
  • Solutions for breaking down data siloes for improved efficiency, data accuracy and better decision making 
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Michael Muilenburg

Former Director - Operational Technology & Connected Manufacturing at 3M, and Se
Manufacturers Alliance – Minnesota

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Kartik Iyer

Director Smart Factory
TRUMPF

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Anthony Huffman

Enterprise Architect Strategist, Industry 4.0
Koch

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Oliver Ganschar

Head of Digital Manufacturing Transformation North America
The Kraft Heinz Company

If you are looking to implement connected worker technologies across your plants, the first thing you need to consider at the start of your project plan is developing an effective change management strategy. Resistance to new technology initiatives can severely impact project success, so it is imperative that you create a viable change management strategy that integrates into every stage of your digital transformation project. Join this session to discuss: 

  • Defining your purpose and create a change team 
  • Determining which people within your business are best positioned to use their influence to drive change 
  • How to partner with change management for long term success 
  • Developing impact assessments and ensuring you fully understand your key stakeholders to ensure change readiness 
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Brian Perlstein

Digital Manufacturing Innovation Leader
Owens Corning

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Romina Guevara

Chief Digital Officer
Michelin

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Mark A. Prosser

Digital Manufacturing Mobility Advisor
ExxonMobil

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Michael Rosplock

Senior Operations Manager
Fathom Digital Manufacturing

3:30 pm - 4:10 pm Solution Insight Session and Afternoon Networking Break

Are you looking for a specific connected worker solution, or want to explore the new innovative technology in this space? We’ve got you covered. 


If you want to maximize your time at the event with a targeted networking session with leading technology providers, the Solution Insight Session is the ideal opportunity to learn about the solutions available to address your specific learning requirements. How does it work? It’s easy. You spend seven minutes at a table of your choice, collect your prize draw stamp, and when the bell rings you’ll be directed to the next one to start another 

round of networking. At the end of the session, you’ll have met most of the technology providers that have the answers to the challenges you face, and if you haven’t, you can continue into the networking cocktail reception at the end of the day. 

Interactive Discussion Groups

4:10 pm - 4:50 pm IDG A: Driving User Adoption in Field Applications
Justin Lake - CEO, Skyllful
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Justin Lake

CEO
Skyllful

4:10 pm - 4:50 pm IDG D: Learning & Development/Rapid On-Boarding
Kanwar Arora - Director of Product Marketing, Webalo

Hiring, training, engaging, and retaining the workforce is a critical business challenge for the majority of industrial companies today, many of whom will lose up to 50% of their workforce to retirement over the next decade. A company standard for the adoption, deployment and operation of a successful enterprise-wide connected worker strategy will help attract the workforce, accelerate their on-boarding and provide an engaging and productive work environment. This session offers the opportunity to share experiences related to these workforce challenges. It also provides insights into how an AI-enabled Connected Worker strategy, framework, and process model can standardize operations, empower the workforce, and promote collaboration for optimized decision-making across the enterprise

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Kanwar Arora

Director of Product Marketing
Webalo

4:10 pm - 4:40 pm IDG J: Generative AI & ML
Dave Landreth - Head of Revenue and Global Alliances, Augmentir
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Dave Landreth

Head of Revenue and Global Alliances
Augmentir

4:10 pm - 4:50 pm IDG E: Predictive Analytics for Strategic Decision Making on the Plant Floor
Grant Ecker - Founder & Chairman, Chief Architect Network
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Grant Ecker

Founder & Chairman
Chief Architect Network

4:10 pm - 4:50 pm IDG H: When Operational Excellence Meets Digital
Jason Stokes - COO, solvace
Todd Shingler - Partner, Efeso

The impact of Digital OpEx beyond Connecting the Frontline Workers


In manufacturing, top-tier performance is often attributed to Operational Excellence* (OpEx) programs. OpEx programs establish a standardized language for work processes and drive continuous improvement. Companies such as Toyota (TPS), P&G (IWS), and DuPont (DPS) are good examples of best in class OpEx programs delivering superior results in all PQCDSM dimensions.


A critical aspect of OpEx is integrating the various organizational stakeholders - Quality, HSE, HR, E&T - under a unified umbrella, breaking down the functional silos not just at a site level, but also regionally and globally - connecting people of different levels and sites from different locations.


And these aspects should not be different when digitizing OpEx. Rather than relying on fragmented and localised software applications, functions and personnel at different levels and sites should be working and collaborating across a shared digital platform leveraging the essence of OpEx.


During this session we will explore how a integrated OpEx digital platform can drive world class manufacturing in your company by connecting digitally the whole organizations and operations.

* Operational Excellence = Lean, WCM, TPM, Continuous Improvement, Production System,... 

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Jason Stokes

COO
solvace

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Todd Shingler

Partner
Efeso

4:10 pm - 4:50 pm IDG K: Predictive Maintenance & Asset Management
James Small - Controls Engineer, C&D Technologies
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James Small

Controls Engineer
C&D Technologies

4:10 pm - 4:50 pm IDG C: Private Wireless for Enhanced Network Reliability and Connectivity
Andrew Crowl - Regional Sales Director, Celona
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Andrew Crowl

Regional Sales Director
Celona

4:10 pm - 4:50 pm IDG F: No Code/Low Code Apps
Tony Papke - Director of Business Development, MxD
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Tony Papke

Director of Business Development
MxD

4:10 pm - 4:50 pm IDG I: Digital Work Instructions
Asif Rana - President of Nexus Connected Worker, Hexagon

Asif Rana

President of Nexus Connected Worker
Hexagon

4:50 pm - 5:20 pm Case Study: How to Create an Accessible Working Environment in Manufacturing

Angela Accurso - Director of Workforce Progams, MxD

It is clear that there are barriers to adopting strategies to increase accessibility in manufacturing, and that a holistic approach is needed to support employment opportunities for people with disabilities, while also supporting employers as they create accessible workplaces. The panel will discuss MxD Learn’s Manufacturing Accessibility and Job Training program, funded by the Department of Defense, which supports manufacturing job opportunities for people with disabilities while simultaneously increasing workplace accessibility. The panel will also give an overview of disability and accessibility and how technology can mitigate employment barriers for people with disabilities.

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Angela Accurso

Director of Workforce Progams
MxD

5:20 pm - 5:40 pm Case Study: How AI can Solve a Global Skills Crisis

Richard Milnes - CEO, Zaptic

In an age of automation and skills shortages how will the role of industrial workers change? Richard will share a vision of how AI and automation is augmenting the role of industrial workers and what changes organizations need to make to adapt.

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Richard Milnes

CEO
Zaptic

5:40 pm - 6:10 pm Closing International Keynote Presentation: Factory of the Future: Building a Sustainable, Resilient and Human-Centered Approach to Manufacturing

Hugo David Herrmann - Automotive Advanced Manufacturing Strategy, Industry 4.0 & Operational Excellenc, IAC Group
  • Optimizing resource use and increasing efficiency to reduce costs and drive sustainable business strategies 
  • Bringing together the greater speed and accuracy of digital technologies and the potential of workers 
  • How AI and Generative AI will revolutionize manufacturing and drive unparalleled levels of innovation  
  • Shifting employees to higher-value tasks where machines and humans accomplish tasks via synchronized interactive joint activities
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Hugo David Herrmann

Automotive Advanced Manufacturing Strategy, Industry 4.0 & Operational Excellenc
IAC Group

6:10 pm - 6:15 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks, Day One Concludes

6:15 pm - 7:15 pm Networking Drinks Reception in the Connected Worker Casino - Hosted by Otterbox

All attendees, speakers and sponsors are invited to join us for drinks, canapes and top casino table games roulette and black jack! Whether you’re a casino pro, or a total novice, our croupiers will gladly show you the ropes and have you counting your winnings in no time at all! *Casino is cash free, tokens will be provided by event organizers*