WIM releases agenda for 16th annual summit in Las Vegas

The Women in Manufacturing Association has unveiled the agenda for its 16th annual WIM SUMMIT, set for Oct. 7-9 in Las Vegas and online. The program spotlights leadership, AI, workforce development and manufacturing innovation for more than 2,000 expected attendees.

Why it matters: - The WIM SUMMIT is one of the industry’s major networking and professional development events for women and allies in manufacturing. - The agenda points to where manufacturing leadership conversations are headed: AI, workforce development, smart manufacturing, sustainability and operational excellence. - More than 2,000 manufacturing professionals are expected to attend, giving the event a broad reach across the sector.

What happened: - The Women in Manufacturing Association released the agenda for its 16th annual WIM SUMMIT. - The conference takes place Oct. 7-9, 2026, at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas and virtually. - The event theme is ALL IN. - The program includes more than 70 educational sessions, keynote presentations, the WIM EXPO, networking events and interactive experiences.

The details: - Featured keynote speakers include Kimberly Schneider of Avery Dennison/Vestcom, Ann Fairchild of Siemens USA and Carole A. Murray of Boeing South Carolina. - Schneider will speak on manufacturing agility. - Fairchild will take part in a fireside chat on technology and the future of manufacturing. - Murray will share her career path from the shop floor to the C-suite. - Session topics include leadership, workforce development, workplace culture, artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, sustainability and operational excellence. - Featured sessions include Forging Ahead: Leading Through Uncertainty in Manufacturing and The Vulnerability Advantage: How Human-Centered Leaders Build High-Trust Teams. - Other sessions include Why AI Fails Without Strong Process and Data Foundations, Know Your Enemy: The 3 Types of Conflict & How to Use Them, Workplace 2030: Designing the Future of Work and From Shop Floor to C-Suite: Resilient Leadership in Action Through Crisis and Change. - The agenda also includes networking receptions, mentoring opportunities, a community service project and specialty programs such as Allies in MFG and the Leadership Accelerator. - Early bird registration is available through July 15, with extra savings for groups of six or more. - More information and registration are available through the summit agenda and registration page.

Between the lines: - WIM is leaning into a more practical, future-focused conference model that mixes leadership training with technology and process topics. - The emphasis on AI and data foundations suggests manufacturers are looking for guidance on adoption, not just awareness. - The inclusion of career-path stories and mentoring reflects the association’s focus on retention and advancement, not only recruitment.

What's next: - Registration remains open ahead of the July 15 early bird deadline. - Attendees will gather in Las Vegas and online in October for the three-day program. - WIM members and broader manufacturing audiences can review the full agenda and sign up at the summit website.

The bottom line: - WIM is using its annual summit to frame manufacturing’s next chapter around leadership, technology and workforce resilience.