Creating the Leaders of Tomorrow: The FABTECH Emerging Leaders Program 

Daniel Webster, the creator of the original Webster’s Dictionary, once said, “There is always room at the top.” What he meant is that no matter how competitive a field may seem, there are always opportunities for those who wish to rise to a leadership position. This is very much the case in manufacturing and metal fabrication. Almost any company head will tell you how desperate they are for more young people to step up and grab the reins of one department or another.  

But what does it take to be a leader? The new FABTECH Emerging Leaders Program has been designed to equip rising stars with the tools and confidence to shape their future and drive positive change in their organizations and communities. It acts as a launchpad for those ready to elevate their careers to new heights. 

The three-day program will help you:  

Here are just a few previews highlighting what you will learn from the keynote and workshop: 

Lisa Ryan, author of the 11 best-selling books and a Certified Speaking Professional™ with the National Speakers Association, is a top-tier speaker in the manufacturing industry. Lisa kicks the FABTECH Emerging Leaders Program into high gear with a keynote on how to improve your public speaking skills. She believes that one of the most important skills for any professional is the ability to communicate effectively and confidently in front of one person or many. This applies to pitching an idea to management, presenting a report, or delivering a talk to inspire others.  

“Are you terrified of public speaking? asks Lisa. “You’re not alone. The fear of public speaking is common, but it doesn’t have to hold you back.”  

During this welcome luncheon keynote, Lisa explains how to:  

Michele Nichols MBA, owner of Launch Team Inc., helps companies enter new markets, launch new products and integrate new acquisitions. Michele has over 15 years of experience in marketing, organizational development, process improvement, precision manufacturing, and optics. Her presentation will reveal how to correctly position your organization, products, and services to stand out from the crowd, as well as how to overcome modern-day business challenges such as budget constraints and customer disillusionment  

“Customer distrust is at an all-time low across sectors,” said Michele. “This isn’t marketing driven, but it is marketing’s problem – it’s a strategic problem.” 

She offers insight and examples of how marketers can create the right mindset to facilitate growth, adapt to changing marketing conditions rapidly, and foster a holistic approach to problem-solving.  

M.J. Clark, owner of Integrated Leadership Systems, is the author of books such as Shut Up and Lead: A Communicator’s Guide to Quiet Leadership and Shut Up and Manage: A Quiet Leader’s Guide to Engaging Others. She has an M.A. in Organizational Communications from Ohio State University, a B.S.J. in Public Relations from Ohio University’s Scripps School of Journalism, and an Earned Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America. She has addressed hundreds of businesses and organizations throughout the USA.  

The theme of her presentation is thriving under pressure. After all, stress is a fact of life. There is no way to escape it. M.J. will explain how you can learn to use stress to your advantage, how to turn stressful situations into solutions that lower anxiety, and how to develop strategies that zero in on the areas you most need to focus on. More than theory, however, M.J. will ask you to list the three most stressful situations you face. By the end of the session, you will have tailored solutions to those problems that will lower your anxiety and help you become a more effective leader. 

“The goal in leadership is to integrate three things: your thoughts, your behaviors and your emotions,” said M.J. “To do that, you have to face your fears: fear of failure, fear of rejection sometimes we fear just being ourselves in some situations. We all have fears, but we can all get through it.” 

Jim Mayer, Founder of TCO Strategies, lives and breathes organizational culture and employee engagement in the manufacturing sector. He is known to many as the host of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast where he engages with other industry luminaries in educational and insightful conversations about the modern manufacturing industry.  

With a dynamic career spanning two decades, Jim transforms businesses by simplifying complex challenges, implementing straightforward strategies, and cultivating work environments that encourage productivity and employee satisfaction. Through his actions, he delivers measurable results that drive operational efficiency and overall success. Part of his approach is to diagnose cultural issues and create customized strategies based on robust research and data.  

During his presentation, he will teach you foundational concepts and practical strategies to improve your communication skills and emotional intelligence. These, he believes, are the essential tools of effective leadership. He will explore how clear communication and emotional awareness can lead to better team collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making. Through interactive discussions, you will gain greater insight into developing a leadership style and fostering a supportive and productive work environment. You will leave with a clear understanding of how to apply these principles to enhance your leadership potential and contribute to the success of your organization. 

“A big problem in attracting talent is failure to create a great place to work,” said Jim. “In order for people to start with a company and stay on long-term, there must be an alignment of values between the organization and the individual employee. A defined mission, vision, and values form the bedrock of a healthy work culture.” 

Lisa Ryan will lead a fun and engaging session entitled, Gratitude Strategies to Create a Company Culture That Rocks. She coined the term grategy, which means to develop a gratitude strategy for the workplace as an important facet of becoming a great leader. Using research, anecdotes, personal stories, and experiences, Lisa gives you simple tools to create a culture of appreciation in your workplace.  

“20% of employees quit strictly because of a bad work culture that costs a lot of money,” said Lisa. “They can have the best boss in the entire world, but if the culture is toxic, they’re not going to stay. Grategy means you won’t have to be the highest paying company in your industry to attract and retain great people.”  

In the popular TV series—Family Feud—two families compete to predict the most popular answers to survey questions. In this FABTECH version, Kelly Hamilton, Senior Manager of Customer Relations at Rootstock Software, will host captains from two manufacturing companies. These captains will use their industry expertise and experience to predict manufacturer’s answers to important tech trend questions. The answers have already been tallied in the 2024 State of Manufacturing Technology Survey. In addition, attendees will be divided into two sides and invited to participate by shouting out suggestions in support of their respective side’s captain. In this fun and participatory session, captains and attendees alike will learn and engage in the latest tech trends.

FABTECH’s Emerging Leaders Program is tailored specifically for young professionals under the age of 30 who are eager to make their mark on the world. In addition to the keynote and workshop, you can take advantage of guided show floor tours and numerous networking opportunities. 

As a participant of the FABTECH Emerging Leaders Program, you will receive: 

The FABTECH Emerging Leaders Program will also yield significant benefits for companies. By investing in leadership development, CEOs, managers, and business owners can bridge the leadership gap, ensuring a strong pipeline of skilled individuals ready to take on higher-level roles. This proactive approach not only prepares the organization for future challenges but also fosters an environment of continuous learning and adaptability. Consider sending employees to this program to demonstrate your commitment to their professional development. 

The registration fee is only $125. Click here for more information and apply to participate. 

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams