Online Event Schedule

DAY 1 – Future: Envision Greater Success

Wednesday May 12, 2021, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST

Master your destiny with empowering MBE champions in manufacturing through vision, innovation, and connections.

*All times are Eastern Standard Time

Time	Item	Notes
11:00-11:10am	Summit Kickoff and Presentation of 2021 Breaking the Mold Award	Donna M. Ennis, C.P.F., Director of Diversity Engagement and Program Development, Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute.
	Welcome to the 5th Annual National MBE Manufacturers Summit	Dr. Ángel Cabrera, President, Georgia Institute of Technology.
11:10-11:50am	Opening Keynote - The Transformation of the Global Supply Chain in a Post Pandemic World	Ray Pittard, Chief Transformation Officer, Trane Technologies. Learn from one of the world’s leading manufacturers how the “new normal” of a post-pandemic world has affected global innovation, business operations, and supply chains, and the trends we should be aware of.
12:00-2:00pm	Poster Walk	Place your company in front of a national audience by participating in our annual Poster Walk competition. Winners will be recognized in our Poster Walk Awards ceremony at the conclusion of the Summit.
12:00-1:15pm	Fast Pitch Round 1	The most popular offering of our annual summit, Fast Pitch offers you the opportunity to engage with major corporations, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and suppliers in the Fortune 1000 space and beyond. Participants will have 15 minutes to meet with companies and pitch their products and services. Past participants have included BMW, Coca-Cola Company, Club Car, Defense Logistics Agency, Grady Health System, Siemens, The Home Depot, Trane Technologies and WestRock.
2:00-2:45pm	FUTURE: Industry Breakout Sessions	Supplying Healthcare in a Changing World Powered by Moderator Deborah Williams, MSM, MBA, Senior Director, Program Management Supplier Diversity & Sustainability (EPP) Premier, Inc. Panelists Daniel Delay System Senior Vice President Supply Service and Resource Management CommonSpirit Mark Terranova, MBA, CMRP System Senior Vice President Supply Service & Resource Management Grady Health Systems Rosina Wickart Vice President, Commercial Procurement Supporting Janssen Pharmaceuticals, North America Johnson & Johnson John Connor Vice President of Operations Owens & Minor The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic sent the healthcare industry into warp speed and shone a spotlight on the gaps and challenges in supply chains across the globe. In addition, social unrest, climate change, human migration, new technologies, aging populations, and other global factors, have all merged to provide an unprecedented time in history for the healthcare industry. These times of disruption have provided the industry a unique opportunity to shift its delivery of healthcare throughout the world and revamp its supply chain. From hospital systems, to manufacturing and distribution networks, to the actual delivery of care to the population, healthcare companies and the people who work in them, are all contributing to these disruptive times to ensure that in the end, populations receive quality care in every aspect of the healthcare industry. Powered by the Healthcare Supplier Diversity Alliance (HSDA), this session will offer the perspectives of companies from major aspects of healthcare (group purchasing, healthcare systems, manufacturing, and distribution) as they address the global factors affecting healthcare delivery throughout the world. Learn insights and trends of key components of the healthcare industry. Hear how the healthcare supply chain has changed and what healthcare systems are doing about it. Find out what opportunities exist for manufacturers, distributors, technology companies, and other suppliers of healthcare. Discover how you should prepare your company to meet the needs of this ever-changing industry.
		Looking Ahead… How to Build a Collaborative Retail Partnership Moderator Kelie Charles Senior Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion The Home Depot Panelists Brian Mandigo Vice President – Global Sourcing The Home Depot Steve Wang, Ph.D. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer MAT Holdings, Inc. Suppliers/Manufacturers and Retailers realize their full potential through a trusting, collaborative relationship that results in quality, affordable product delivered to customers when and where they want it. As a supplier, what steps can you take to ensure the relationship with your retail partner is positioned for successful, long-term growth? Do you understand the needs of your retail partner and their customer? We will explore these questions and more during an open discussion with representatives from The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer and one of their successful supplier/manufacturing partners. It is often said that the future is determined by how we plan for it today. The most successful suppliers begin planning ahead with a thoughtful assessment of their current business to identify future growth opportunities and the resources needed to achieve it. This session will provide insight into – How a major retailer identifies, engages and develops its supplier/manufacturing partners Lessons learned from a successful supplier partner Developing trends and opportunities in the Retail Industry
2:50-3:30pm	FUTURE: Industry Breakout Sessions	Let’s Talk Mobility, Transportation and Manufacturing for Smart Cities Moderator Cynthia Curry Director, Smart Cities Ecosystem Expansion Metro Atlanta Chamber Panelists Yagnesh Kikaganeshwala General Manager Siemens Mobility Deron Wardlaw Transportation Buyer BMW By 2050, 89% of the U.S. population and 68% of the global population will live in urban areas. As the world urbanizes, we must create smart cities that do more with less, forming more sustainable, resilient, and connected communities. A smart city leverages technology to increase efficiencies and improve the quality of services and life for its residents. The smart city concept is estimated to potentially boost the economic development of global cities by over 5% and deliver at least $20 trillion in additional economic benefits by 2026. Smart Cities require smart infrastructure, which can unlock equity and prosperity for our cities. They are comprised of emerging technologies and changing industries across the board including smart mobility, smart transportation, and smart manufacturing. Join us for a conversation about smart cities and a discussion on the trends driving innovation in smart mobility, smart transportation, and smart manufacturing. This session will provide insight into the future of these industries and how we can leverage technology to solve our most pressing issues. Smart cities are created leveraging technology trends in smart mobility/transportation and smart manufacturing. Trends in Smart Mobility/Transportation As the population shifts, citizens are adopting a more digitized way of life, and with that, a reinvention of vehicle usage. Smart cities will transform our world as the information superhighway meets the transportation highway. Automobiles are becoming more connected and acting as rolling data and entertainment centers. Shared Mobility is on the rise and Electrification is shaping our future. The rise of Autonomous Vehicles is opening new worlds for consumers, citizens, and companies. Smart Roads are empowered with intelligence and sensing capability. Trends in Smart Manufacturing With increased e-Mobility (electric cars, buses etc.), quick charging infrastructure would be required for easy access to charging (akin to gas stations availability) Smart Street technology (traffic monitors, pollution sensors, noise monitoring etc.) installations at major intersections in the city are on the rise. Buildings will become more independent and resilient requiring micro-grid solutions and integration with the main grid. Cities will require holistic consulting services around system integration and management of siloed IoT data. Industry 4.0 leverages groundbreaking technologies like AI/Machine Learning , automation, advanced robotics, edge technology, digital twins, 3D printing, and many more. AI, Machine Learning, and Big Data are enabling more efficient, transparent, connected, and flexible environments.
		A Glimpse into the Future of the Food & Beverage Industry! Wendy White Industry Manager for Food and Beverage Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership/Georgia Tech The last year brought unprecedented disruptions to supply chain management, workforce capabilities, and new regulatory pressures for almost all manufacturing sectors around the world. While the Food and Beverage Industry was no exception, it’s resiliency, adaptiveness, and innovation kept the trucks rolling and our country fed. As we return to normal, the lessons learned will be put to use to strengthen the American food chain and help mitigate future challenges such as: supply chain disruptions, fluctuating markets, trade imbalances, and renewed focus from regulators. You are invited to join us for this look into the future of the Food and Beverage Industry. Understanding emerging issues is the best way to ensure business continuity. This session will provide clear information about anticipated industry trends, food safety regulatory initiatives, and future. We’ll also discuss potential mitigation strategies to prevent interruptions to your business. Supplement your strategic planning, assess strengths and weaknesses, and determine next steps to: Forecast industry trends and understand future initiatives from F&B giants. Lean supply chain management and workforce strategies to promote business continuity. Discuss upcoming governmental regulations and focus-points for food safety agencies, such as the FDA and USDA. Potential strategies that companies are using to prevent further disruptions to their business.
3:30–5:15pm	Poster Walk	Place your company in front of a national audience by participating in our annual Poster Walk competition. Winners will be recognized in our Poster Walk Awards ceremony at the conclusion of the Summit.
3:30–5:15pm	Fast Pitch, Round 2	The most popular offering of our annual summit, Fast Pitch offers you the opportunity to engage with major corporations, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and suppliers in the Fortune 1000 space and beyond. Participants will have 15 minutes to meet with companies and pitch their products and services. Past participants have included BMW, Coca-Cola Company, Club Car, Defense Logistics Agency, Grady Health System, Siemens, The Home Depot, Trane Technologies and WestRock.
5:15-6:30pm	Networking	Join us as we “Wine Down” Day 2 of the Summit with musical entertainment and live networking. Share stories while you recognize and celebrate your peers. Form valuable connections that will last a lifetime. Come prepared to “drop into” breakout rooms and meet Summit attendees.

DAY 2 – Forward: 
Implement Change

Thursday May 13, 2021, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST

Gain access to knowledge, available resources and insight to move your company forward now for tomorrow.

*All times are Eastern Standard Time

Time	Item	Notes
11:00-11:05am	Presentation of Legacy Award	Donna M. Ennis, C.P.F., Director of Diversity Engagement and Program Development, Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute.
11:05-11:40am	Opening Keynote	Billy Vickers, President/CEO, Modular Assembly Innovations. MBE manufacturers have been supplying Fortune 500 companies, OEMs, and government agencies for decades. Many have built multi-million and even billion-dollar enterprises employing thousands of people. Meet Billy Vickers, President/CEO of a billion-dollar manufacturing company and hear how using joint venture strategies and acquisitions can help you grow your business beyond your wildest dreams. Get energized by a strategic innovator who will show you how to move your company forward during these disruptive times.
11:40am-12:25pm	Fireside Chat - MBE-Led Georgia Tech Manufacturing Startups Thrive Through Adversity	Moderator Dr. Billyde Brown, Research Faculty, Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute Panelists Dr. Craig Green, Chief Technology Officer, Carbice Corporation Dr. Raheem Beyah, Dean of the Georgia Tech College of Engineering, co-founder of Fortiphyd Logic, Inc. and Southern Company Chair Hear MBE leadership from two Georgia Tech spinoff companies, Carbice Corporation and Fortiphyd Logic, Inc. discuss their journey to build companies for the future. Carbice is an Atlanta-based manufacturer of Carbice® Carbon, a product that lowers device temperatures and dissipates heat away from packaged electronics in consumer and space applications. Fortiphyd Logic assists manufacturers by using state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms to protect factory information systems and industrial networks from cyberattacks. Join us for this high-tech session to learn more about these emerging companies, and how resources and an affiliation at a university like Georgia Tech has enabled them to thrive in a period of uncertainty and unprecedented challenges.
12:25-12:40pm	Poster Walk	Place your company in front of a national audience by participating in our annual Poster Walk competition. Winners will be recognized in our Poster Walk Awards ceremony at the conclusion of the Summit.
12:40-1:30pm	3rd Annual Advanced Manufacturing Tour	Take this time to enjoy our first ever virtual tour with Starbucks, visit a Starbucks facility and learn how they are preparing for the future. Powered by &
1:30-1:55pm	Poster Walk	Place your company in front of a national audience by participating in our annual Poster Walk competition. Winners will be recognized in our Poster Walk Awards ceremony at the conclusion of the Summit.
2:00-2:45pm repeated 2:50-3:30pm	Plenary sessions: FORWARD	Take this time to roll up your sleeves and learn key implementation strategies about the Internet of Things with a case study from IoTCO and cybersecurity training from Cyntellix, Inc. You Can Achieve Zero-Downtime, Zero-Defect Manufacturing with Industrial IoT and Industry 4.0 Mo Abuali, Managing Partner, IoTCO Keith Hamilton, President, LB Manufacturing Larry Lewis, President, PROJECTXYZ, Inc. A reduction in unplanned downtime or a few percentages of scrap reduction can yield significant dollar savings for manufacturers. This has led manufacturing firms to embrace Digital Transformation and leverage the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and metrics to achieve greater efficiency and productivity on the shop floor. Does your organization have the necessary organizational and technical maturity to begin your Industry 4.0 digital journey? Based on actual projects conducted with two MBE manufacturers and a large OEM, this presentation will educate the attendees on the principles of Digital Transformation, IIOT and Industry 4.0 initiative. We will discuss the “digital tools of the trade” to realize Industry 4.0 in a systematic approach, including the business case ROI, plant floor connectivity, analytics, and technology. Cybersecurity for Manufacturers: How Protected are Your Products and Factory? Brian Berger, President, Cytellix Cybersecurity Cybersecurity attacks can shut down your manufacturing plant, becoming very costly and endangering relationships with your customers. It can also leave your company’s data totally exposed and, in some cases, result in permanent damage to your plant and equipment. As manufacturers continue to digitize their operations, the risk of being attacked increases…unless they are prepared. Join us for this deep dive training on what you need to know to protect your manufacturing operation from cyberattacks and keep your data, equipment, and customer information safe.
3:30-5:00pm	Fast Pitch, Round 3	The most popular offering of our annual summit, Fast Pitch offers you the opportunity to engage with major corporations, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and suppliers in the Fortune 1000 space and beyond. Participants will have 15 minutes to meet with companies and pitch their products and services. Past participants have included BMW, Coca-Cola Company, Club Car, Defense Logistics Agency, Grady Health System, Siemens, The Home Depot, Trane Technologies and WestRock.
5:00-6:00pm	Poster Walk Awards, Closing and Networking	Find out who won the 2021 Poster Walk Competition and join us as we wrap up the 5th National MBE Manufacturer Summit with networking and casual discussion of industry-specific trends.