About the Event:
Join us for FREE a dynamic day of insight, innovation, and industry connections at the MU Manufacturing Day Symposium. This year’s theme, Chips and Change, explores the evolving landscape of U.S. manufacturing with a special focus on semiconductors, workforce development, and Missouri’s growing role in the global supply chain.
Whether you're an educator, industry professional, or policymaker, this event offers valuable perspectives and hands-on experiences to help shape the future of manufacturing.
Event Schedule
- 8:15 a.m. – Welcome Remarks
Kick off the day with opening remarks and breakfast refreshments. - 8:30 – 9:15 a.m. – State of Manufacturing Industry
Speaker: Nicole Eldred Jaeckel, WIPFLI- Gain insights into the U.S. manufacturing industry through Wipfli’s benchmarking data and recent economic trends, followed by an exploration of tariff impacts and an outlook on the semiconductor sector.
- 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. – Selling Manufacturing to Gen Z and Gen Alpha
Panel: Josh Butler (Aurora Dairy), Katie Clark (Mizzou Career Center), and Shay Jasper (MU College of Engineering Employer Relations)- Discover strategies for recruiting and retaining younger generations in manufacturing careers.
- 10:25 – 11:30 a.m. – Semiconductor Industry – Missouri’s Role and the Road Ahead
- Speaker: Madhavan Esayanur, MEMC LLC (A GlobalWafers Company)
- Presentation: Semiconductors: What are they, how are they made and used, and what role does Missouri play
- Semiconductors are essential to modern life, powering everything from phones to cars. This presentation offers an overview of the semiconductor supply chain, Missouri’s role in it, the opportunities available looking ahead, and the talent and tools needed to stay competitive.
- Speaker: Dr. Haitao Li, University of Missouri- St. Louis
- Presentation: Semiconductor Supply Chain: Challenges and Opportunities
- The global semiconductor supply chain is complex, and reshoring efforts in the U.S. demand both advanced technologies and resilient business operations. This talk explores key challenges and opportunities in supply chain design, highlighting how AI and analytics can drive innovation, with examples from ongoing research projects.
- Speaker: Madhavan Esayanur, MEMC LLC (A GlobalWafers Company)
- 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Built in Boone: A Local Manufacturing Expo (optional to attend)
- Meet local manufacturers and network with industry leaders.
Food & Amenities
Grab-and-go lunches will be available after the final presentation. Coffee and light refreshments will be served throughout the morning.
Who Should Attend?
- Educators
- Industry Professionals
- Economic Development Leaders
- Workforce & Career Development Professionals
- Anyone interested in the future of U.S. manufacturing
Continuing Education
This event may be eligible for 3 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) for licensed engineers. Attendees will be provided with documentation for their PDH records.
Register Now
Space is limited—secure your spot today! There is no cost to attend.
This project is funded by the National Science Foundation under grant number DEG-1946619 - Microelectronics supplement fund to the Mizzou’s CyberCorps project. PI: Dr. Chi-Ren Shyu.
Partners
- MU Extension
- Mizzou College of Engineering
- MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics
- Missouri School of Journalism
- MU School of Information Science and Learning Technologies
