Deadline nears for Manufacturing Mavens nominations

The nomination deadline for the second-annual Manufacturing Mavens is fast approaching.

Nominations are open and can be found by clicking here. The nomination deadline is Aug. 31.

Building on last year’s success, 30 female leaders in The Palmetto State’s manufacturing sector will be recognized during a luncheon Nov. 8 at the South Carolina Manufacturing Conference and Expo, which will be held Nov. 7-8 at the Greenville Convention Center.

Lou Kennedy, owner of Nephron Pharmaceuticals, will deliver the keynote address at the event.

The 2023 inaugural Manufacturing Mavens class honored 10 women who are making an impact on South Carolina’s manufacturing industry, and this year’s event has grown three-fold to celebrate the success of female leaders in manufacturing.

Manufacturing Mavens is part of a robust lineup of content sessions and recognition events at this year’s conference and expo, including the inaugural Palmetto Proud initiative, which will celebrate unique South Carolina products and the companies that make them.

This year’s conference and expo promises informative sessions on the latest manufacturing industry trends, including artificial intelligence, autonomous technology, virtual reality and sustainable packaging.

Click here to register for the event and to view the agenda.

New this year is a celebration of South Carolina-made products. Palmetto Proud will recognize 30 unique products from The Palmetto State, and the companies behind them. In addition, due to the popularity of last year’s inaugural event, Manufacturing Mavens, which recognizes female leaders in the manufacturing industry, will be expanded to celebrate even more female innovators.

Related: Annual manufacturing conference unveils new made-in-South Carolina recognition program

“These content sessions will provide valuable insight into the latest technological advancements to help South Carolina manufacturers grow their businesses,” said Jason Thomas, executive editor of SC Biz News, which hosts the annual expo. “From cutting-edge researchers to industry leaders on the front lines of production, our panelists will shed light on new ideas and processes to help your company thrive in an ever-evolving industry.”

Below is a lineup of content sessions. Click here to view the panelists.

THURSDAY, NOV. 7

COFFEE KICKOFF/ Ribbon cutting with Greenville Chamber of Commerce/Greenville mayor
When: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
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.

HANDS OFF: How autonomous technology is driving the future of the manufacturing industry
What: Tech talk
When: 10-11 a.m.
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.

PALMETTO PROUD unveiling
What: Luncheon/recognition event
When: 12-1:30 p.m.
This luncheon will serve as the recognition event for our inaugural Palmetto Proud program. We will recognize 30 of the most interesting products being manufactured right here in South Carolina, preceded by a keynote address.

• Keynote speaker: Cody Thacker, vice president of growth, Scout Motors

ALL ABOUT AI: How your company can leverage artificial intelligence to enhance production and increase success
What: Tech talk
When: 2-3 p.m.
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.

GOING GREEN: How a circular economy can drive sustainable packaging in South Carolina
What: Tech talk
When: 4-5 p.m.
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.

FRIDAY, NOV. 8

KEEPING IT REAL: How virtual reality is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry — and what it means for your company
What: Tech talk
When: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
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.

MANUFACTURING MAVENS: Celebrating women leaders elevating South Carolina’s manufacturing industry
What: Recognition event/keynote address
When: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
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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