Thursday, March 5

OneSouth Flex Room

11:30am

Board of Directors Meeting

Cypress Room

4:00pm

Management Update Committee Meeting

Grand Ballroom Foyer

5:30pm

Welcome Reception Presented by

Friday, March 6

Willow Birch Dogwood

8:45am

Ryan Avery 

Stop Being a Leader, Start Being THE Leader

In today’s fast-paced, precision-driven world, leadership isn’t just about being a leader, it’s about being the leader who sets the standard for excellence, innovation, and unity. Ryan Avery will share strategies to move beyond managing people to motivating them, communicating clearly, and inspiring lasting results. Leave with tools to elevate performance, strengthen culture, and lead with purpose and confidence.

Willow Birch Dogwood

10:30am

Garry Kishbaugh 

Communication Insights for Coaching & Culture

Garry Kishbaugh, CEO of Compass Business Coaching, shares how to leverage psychometric insights to sidestep costly pitfalls; from mis-hires to misaligned teams, as well as how to strengthen a performance-driven culture. Expect practical, ready-to-use takeaways for hiring, coaching, and succession planning.

Willow Birch Dogwood

1:15pm

Connor Lokar

Why ITR’s 2026–2027 Forecast Matters

ITR Economics

Gain a decisive edge by hearing ITR Economics’ outlook for 2026 and early 2027. Learn how to adjust your strategy, manage risks, and seize opportunities as industry trends shift. Don’t miss your chance to make informed decisions that keep your organization ahead through changing economic cycles.

Trade Restaurant

1:30pm

Spouse / Guest Session: Birdsong Brewery

This year’s spouse/guest event will be a friendly and relaxed 90 minute guided beer tasting by one the infamous Birdsong Brewing Company, a local Charlotte staple. Discover four handpicked craft beers served in small pours, delicious snacks, perfect for sharing stories and laughter with friends. Each session includes printed tasting sheets and engaging discussions about the unique qualities and backgrounds of each brew, making it an inviting experience for everyone.

Willow Birch Dogwood

3:00pm

Greg Kettner

Work Happy/Mental Health at Work

Learn how to create a workplace where people love what they do and who they work with. Through humor, real-world stories and practical tools, Greg Kettner provides impactful techniques to boost morale, strengthen connection, and build happier, more productive teams.

Grand Ballroom Foyer

4:30pm

Happy Hour Reception Presented by

Saturday, March 7

Willow Birch Dogwood

8:45am

Melanie Webber 

Fisher Phillips, LLP

Hiring Clinic – Best Practices

Melanie Webber, labor attorney for Fisher Phillips, will provide an engaging, practical session on how to attract, hire, and retain top talent in today’s competitive market. Learn proven strategies and legal insights to strengthen your hiring process and build a workforce that drives lasting success.

Poplar Room

Oak Room

Willow Birch Dogwood

Nik Kottha

ISO 9001-2026: Change is Coming 

Nik Kottha, VP of Training and Development, outlines the big changes coming with the 2026 version of the ISO 9001 Standard that has been 10 years in the making. You’ll learn about important deadlines and changes that impact various levels in your business.

PMPA IT Committee

Technology for Workflow Optimization

Explore how technology can simplify processes across the manufacturing floor and office. This session highlights common workflow pain points like communication gaps, manual data entry, user buy-in and disconnected systems, and shows how digital tools and automation can improve accuracy, efficiency, and productivity from order to shipment.

Melanie Webber 

Hiring Best Practices

Take a deeper dive into the strategies of hiring with this interactive breakout session. Bring your questions and experiences as Melanie shares practical tools and approaches to strengthen compliance, streamline recruiting, and build a winning team.

Willow Birch Dogwood

1:30pm

Kendra Ramirez

KR Digital Agency

AI: What’s Changed, What’s Next, and How Manufacturers Can Lead the Future 

Discover the latest advancements in Al for manufacturing with Kendra Ramirez as she returns to PMPA, sharing fresh insights, real-world case studies, and practical strategies to drive innovation. This session will help you identify actionable use cases and the leadership shifts needed to scale Al effectively. Walk away with a clear plan to position your company for success in an Al-driven future.