A Message from the President of MassMEP.
Each year, Manufacturing Your Future brings together manufacturers from across Massachusetts to step away from the day-to-day and focus on what’s ahead. As we prepare for our 5th annual event, this year’s program reflects exactly where our industry is today: evolving, adapting, and preparing for what’s next.
Manufacturing is not standing still. Technology is advancing. Workforce expectations are shifting. Supply chains continue to evolve. And across the Commonwealth, manufacturers are responding with resilience, innovation, and determination. Manufacturing Your Future was built to support that journey and this year’s event is designed to do just that.
A Keynote Focused on Possibility and Leadership
We’re proud to welcome Mitchell Weiss, Richard L. Menschel Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School, as this year’s keynote speaker.
Mitch is widely recognized for his work on Public Entrepreneurship; the idea that leaders, whether in the public or private sector, have the ability to create meaningful change. As the author of We the Possibility and a faculty leader at Harvard, his work has been featured in outlets like The Wall Street Journal and CNBC, and he has been named one of the 100 most influential academics in government.
His perspective is especially relevant for manufacturers today. In a time of constant change, leadership is not just about reacting; it’s about seeing opportunity, making decisions with confidence, and building organizations that can adapt and grow.
Breakout Sessions Built for Real-World Impact
This year’s breakout sessions are designed to meet manufacturers where they are, addressing real challenges with practical, actionable insight.
Still on the (De)fense
For manufacturers looking to enter or expand within the defense supply chain, this session takes an honest look at where companies get stuck and how to move forward. With demand from primes like General Dynamics and Electric Boat continuing to grow, attendees will gain clarity on positioning, cybersecurity requirements, and how to access resources like APEX and grant support to stay competitive.
Invest “Smart”, Grow Strong
With so many emerging technologies, AI, automation, additive, digital systems, the challenge isn’t awareness, it’s knowing where to invest. This session walks through a structured approach to technology decision-making, paired with real-world examples and financial insights from Kopan CPA to ensure your strategy is both practical and sustainable.
Harvesting Your AI Advantage
For manufacturers ready to move beyond experimentation, this session focuses on scaling AI into real operations. From defect detection to predictive maintenance, attendees will learn how to integrate AI into existing workflows, gain buy-in from teams, and measure impact in a meaningful way.
Generations To Strength
With multiple generations on the shop floor, this session explores how to turn that diversity into an advantage. Through real-world insights from manufacturing leaders, participants will learn how to transfer knowledge, strengthen team culture, and build a workforce that supports long-term success.
Access to Capital
As investment becomes increasingly important to growth and innovation, this session will provide insight into funding opportunities and financial pathways available to manufacturers. (More details coming soon.)
More Than an Event
What makes Manufacturing Your Future truly impactful is the community it brings together. This is a space for manufacturers to connect, share ideas, and learn from one another; not just during sessions, but in the conversations that happen throughout the day.
This year, we’re excited to host the event at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA, allowing us to bring together an even larger group of manufacturers and industry leaders.
Join Us
If you’ve attended before, you know the value of taking time to focus on your business and your future. If this will be your first time, I encourage you to join us and experience it firsthand.
June 2, 2026
DCU Center | Worcester, MA
Register here: https://massmep.org/event/manufacturing-your-future-power-of-change/
As a thank you to our readers, use code NEWSLINE to receive 50% off registration.
We look forward to seeing you there and continuing to build the future of manufacturing together.