The Most Significant
Manufacturing Event of the Year
The manufacturing industry is evolving. This must-attend event will give you game-changing tactics to thrive.
November 5-6,2025
Hosted by SC BIZ News: We know business, economic trends, the latest on manufacturing. We help companies operate today and stay competitive tomorrow.
Business leaders trust us to guide their today and help them plan for tomorrow. Unlike manufacturing organizations, we are an objective but authoritative voice for business leaders in manufacturing.
We connect leaders across events, online, print, email, social and more throughout the year…beyond the event.
Join 150+ companies and 1400+ decision-making attendees, all looking to make connections and ignite business growth.
Our Advisory Board is driving the industry forward. Learn from experts and grab game-changing tactics at one of our content sessions.
The Most Significant
Manufacturing Event of the Year
November 5-6,2025
Hosted by SC BIZ News: We know business, economic trends, the latest on manufacturing. We help companies operate today and stay competitive tomorrow.
Business leaders trust us to guide their today and help them plan for tomorrow. Unlike manufacturing organizations, we are an objective but authoritative voice for business leaders in manufacturing.
We connect leaders across events, online, print, email, social and more throughout the year…beyond the event.
Join 150+ companies and 1400+ decision-making attendees, all looking to make connections and ignite business growth.
Our Advisory Board is driving the industry forward. Learn from experts and grab game-changing tactics at one of our content sessions.
Attendee & Exhibitor Experiences
We’re still reflecting on last week’s incredible experience at the SC Manufacturing Conference and Expo! From meaningful industry discussions to networking with peers, we left inspired and grateful. Read more.
KION North AmericaWe’re thrilled to have been part of the largest manufacturing event in South Carolina, learning from industry leaders, sharing our vision for predictive maintenance, and showcasing how our solutions can help drive operational efficiency and innovation. Read more.
Volta InsiteThis year’s expo features a show floor spanning the size of three football fields, strategically designed for all attendees to walk through on their way to various events and training sessions—ensuring exceptional visibility and engagement throughout the day. Read more.
Servcom USA WiM- SC is ecstatic that one of our Chapter Leaders, Michele Thompson, MBA, CPCM, is being recognized as a Manufacturing Maven at the SC Manufacturing Conference & Expo this year! She’s a true champion of our mission at Women in Manufacturing and deserves to be celebrated for her contributions to manufacturing! Read more.
Women in Manufacturing South CarolinaThankful to have been part of the SC Manufacturing Conference and Expo Advisory Board! Read more.
Trent McJunkinLots of companies we partner with are here and it’s been fantastic to see them and see them excel in their area and their space. If you’re in manufacturing, give this expo a shot!
Ellison Murray, Nephron Pharmaceuticals The information is valuable. The exposure is valuable. We’re thoroughly satisfied and happy with the experience overall.
Bruce Alexander, OpSource Staffing This is a celebration for us. To come together with a whole bunch of people that we know, manufacturers themselves, people in the ecosystem, and the chance to connect with new manufacturers. We just love it!
Andy Carr, SCMEP We found more success in this event alone than any other event we do throughout the year!
Great conversations, great connections.
We love this conference. We’ve been a proud partner and sponsor since its inception. It brings together a lot of credible manufacturers.
Attendee & Exhibitor Experiences
WiM- SC is ecstatic that one of our Chapter Leaders, Michele Thompson, MBA, CPCM, is being recognized as a Manufacturing Maven at the SC Manufacturing Conference & Expo this year! She’s a true champion of our mission at Women in Manufacturing and deserves to be celebrated for her contributions to manufacturing! Read more.
Women in Manufacturing South CarolinaWe’re still reflecting on last week’s incredible experience at the SC Manufacturing Conference and Expo! From meaningful industry discussions to networking with peers, we left inspired and grateful. Read more.
KION North AmericaWe’re thrilled to have been part of the largest manufacturing event in South Carolina, learning from industry leaders, sharing our vision for predictive maintenance, and showcasing how our solutions can help drive operational efficiency and innovation. Read more.
Volta InsiteThis year’s expo features a show floor spanning the size of three football fields, strategically designed for all attendees to walk through on their way to various events and training sessions—ensuring exceptional visibility and engagement throughout the day. Read more.
Servcom USA Thankful to have been part of the SC Manufacturing Conference and Expo Advisory Board! Read more.
Trent McJunkinLots of companies we partner with are here and it’s been fantastic to see them and see them excel in their area and their space. If you’re in manufacturing, give this expo a shot!
Ellison Murray, Nephron Pharmaceuticals The information is valuable. The exposure is valuable. We’re thoroughly satisfied and happy with the experience overall.
Bruce Alexander, OpSource Staffing This is a celebration for us. To come together with a whole bunch of people that we know, manufacturers themselves, people in the ecosystem, and the chance to connect with new manufacturers. We just love it!
Andy Carr, SCMEP We found more success in this event alone than any other event we do throughout the year!
Great conversations, great connections.
We love this conference. We’ve been a proud partner and sponsor since its inception. It brings together a lot of credible manufacturers.
More than just a conference.
Whether you’re looking for informative sessions from experts on how to overcome the industry’s toughest challenges, or to connect with manufacturing support companies, you can’t miss the SC Manufacturing Conference & Expo. With 2x the opportunity to learn & connect, this will be one for the books!
An exposition runs concurrently with the conference.
More than 150 companies from across the Southeast exhibited at our most recent live conference in Greenville with 1,400+ registered attendees!
The show floor is the equivalent size of three football fields and all attendees must walk through the show floor to attend all events and training courses, ensuring a high level of traffic throughout the day.
Join manufacturing professionals from across the Southeast to discuss the latest manufacturing trends and topics, share their vision, become inspired and immerse yourself in manufacturing culture.
Check back often for updated information regarding our agenda and attendee registration.
Agenda
THE 2025 AGENDA IS COMING SOON
Thursday, November 7
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST)
Visit the Manufacturing Expo to have access to our Exhibitors. The Expo Floor spans approximately three football fields in size and attendees are encouraged to explore the entire space.
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. (EST)
COFFEE KICKOFF/ Ribbon cutting with Greenville Chamber of Commerce/Greenville mayor
This coffee mixer will serve as the official welcome to the 2024 South Carolina Manufacturing Conference and Expo with our host city and chamber of commerce welcoming guests and exhibitors.
Special Guests:
Samuel Kondurous, president/CEO, Greenville Economic Development Corp
Knox White, mayor, city of Greenville
9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m. (EST)
*Content Session to start at 9:30 a.m.
HANDS OFF: How autonomous technology is driving the future of the manufacturing industry
What: Breakfast
Semi-autonomous and even fully autonomous vehicles within manufacturing operations are gaining independence, according to a report from PricewaterhouseCoopers. These can include an ever-growing list: free-range automated guided vehicles (AVGs), mobile robots, autonomous forklifts and cranes — and even low-payload drones. South Carolina is on the cutting edge of developing autonomous technology through research. Learn from innovative thinkers developing this new technology and how it represents the future of manufacturing efficiency and cost savings for your company.
Panelists:
Jonathan Dawley, president and CEO, KION North America
Venkat Krovi, Michelin Endowed Chair Professor of Vehicle Automation, Clemson University
Wout de Backer, assistant professor, McNair Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research, University of South Carolina
Trent McJunkin, Facilities manager, Oshkosh Defense
William Fugate, Director of U.S. Business Development, SkyDrive
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (EST)
PALMETTO PROUD unveiling/Inaugural BEST PLACES TO WORK IN MANUFACTURING AWARDS
What: Luncheon/recognition event
This luncheon will serve as the recognition event for our inaugural Palmetto Proud program and the first Best Places to Work in Manufacturing Awards. We will recognize 30 of the most interesting products being manufactured right here in South Carolina, preceded by a keynote address, highlighting the Palmetto Proud program. This will be followed by recognition of our inaugural group of Best Places to Work in Manufacturing awards, which is a partnership with Best Companies Group.
Keynote speaker: Cody Thacker, vice president of growth, Scout Motors
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (EST)
ALL ABOUT AI: How your company can leverage artificial intelligence to enhance production and increase success
What: Tech talk
Artificial intelligence is changing the face of the manufacturing industry, creating a new era of optimization. The technology addresses challenges on multiple fronts, including summarization, contextual data understanding, coding assistance and asset management. Our panelists address opportunities created by this emerging technology and reveal how you can leverage neural networks to improve production and take your company to new heights.
Panelists:
Ramy Harik, Professor of Automotive Engineering, Clemson University
Rahul Rai, associate director, The Artificial Intelligence Research Institute for Science and Engineering (AIRISE), Clemson University
Navid Hashemi, assistant professor of computer science, director of Data Science Graduate Program, College of Charleston
Joe Delpercio, head of AI and data analytics, Zeus Industrial Products
Thorsten Wuest, professor of mechanical engineering, University of South Carolina
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST)
GOING GREEN: How a circular economy can drive sustainable packaging in South Carolina
What: Tech talk
Sustainability and the demand for more circular materials — packaging that can be reused, recycled or composted — is driving innovation like never before in the manufacturing industry. Our panelists offer advice and best practices to implement a circular materials program at your company while adopting the
latest technology, and highlight the latest in sustainable packaging research, development and implementation that can improve efficiencies and increase cost savings while helping save the environment.
Panelists:
Lauren Trapp, Global Environmental Sustainability Specialist, AFL
James Sternberg, assistant professor, sustainable packaging, Clemson University
Michael Pratt, Manager of Sustainability for North America, Sonoco
Leslie Skardon, CEO, Sustain SC
Friday, November 8
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (EST)
Visit the Manufacturing Expo to have access to our Exhibitors. The Expo Floor spans approximately three football fields in size and attendees are encouraged to explore the entire space.
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (EST)
*Content Session to start at 9:30 a.m.
KEEPING IT REAL: How virtual reality is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry — and what it means for your company
What: Breakfast
Virtual reality is revolutionizing processes for the manufacturing industry, to everything from improving worker safety, designing and building, speeding new products to market, reducing training costs, managing inventory, to increasing productivity. Our panelists will offer insight on best practices with capturing virtual reality technology to streamline and improve processes at your company.
Panelists:
Michael Ross, program director, advanced manufacturing and skilled trades, Midlands Technical College
SuzAnne Driscoll, project manager, Be Pro Be Proud SC
Kelvin Byrd, dean of advanced manufacturing and transportation technologies, Greenville Technical College
Laura Cox, regional workforce advisory director, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. (EST)
MANUFACTURING MAVENS: Celebrating women leaders elevating South Carolina’s manufacturing industry
What: Recognition luncheon event/keynote address
Join us for the second-annual Manufacturing Mavens awards where we recognize women trailblazers in the South Carolina manufacturing industry, followed by a keynote address.
Keynote speaker:
Lou Kennedy, owner, Nephron Pharmaceuticals
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