Economy Diversity, Innovation, and Workforce Quality: Critical Building Blocks of a Globally Competitive Region

IEDC Spring Conference

Register today

Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN

June 1-3

Cluster Spotlight:  Manufacturing the Future

The manufacturing world is changing, with significant implications for the ways in which communities recruit and develop new activity in a sector showing renewed strength. 3D printing - also known as 'additive manufacturing' - is here, and responsible already for 'printing' everything from a hearing aid to an automobile. Future disruptive implications for this technology will continue to take shape as consumer costs come down, but more relevant for now is the way it has already reshaped the industrial sector. From changing demands for talent and space to changing end products and specializations, we’ll explore it all – join IEDC in the Twin Cities this June for our yearly event on industry trends and what they mean for your community.

Our Expert Speakers Include:

Jim Allen
Economic Development and 3D Printing Industry Consultant
New York, NY 

Jim Allen is consultant to a number of 3D printing companies and the former Director of Economic Programs at Shapeways, Inc., the world's leading 3D printing marketplace and community platform. He worked closely with the company's founders, government agencies and the economic development community to manage the company's portfolio of economic development incentives. Jim was also involved in creating the Shapeways “Factory of the Future” in New York City; leveraging his expertise in manufacturing, site selection and product development. Jim is also a 3D printing and additive manufacturing industry expert at Ridgetop Research, a leading research platform for institutional investment firms.

Bob Kill
President & CEO
Enterprise Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN 

As President & CEO of Enterprise Minnesota, Bob Kill leads the organization's efforts to achieve its strategic, growth, and operational goals. A long-time manufacturing executive, Bob is passionate about helping manufacturers grow and bringing attention to manufacturing as a driver of Minnesota's economy. Bob is committed to connecting public and private stakeholders of manufacturers together in order to foster the collaboration needed to produce a thriving manufacturing industry. Bob is recognized as a spokesperson for Minnesota's manufacturing industry and is regularly quoted in national and regional media on manufacturing trends and industry outlook. 

David Owen
Chief Executive
GFirst Ltd.
Dursley, Gloucestershire, UK

David Owen is Chief Executive of GFirst UK, the local enterprise partnership for Gloucestershire. GFirst leads on economic development through investment, skills, connectivity, and promotion in a county that boasts the Cotswolds tourism destination alongside world class brands as diverse as Messier-Bugatti-Dowty landing gear and Superdry clothes. David became Chief Executive of GFirst in 2009 and is also currently a non-executive director of the equity fund South West Investment Group and growing training company GEL. David's career at senior management level stretches back over fifteen years and prior to joining GFirst, he had been Director of Enterprise and Innovation at the University of Gloucestershire, Enterprise Network Manager at the University of Bristol, and Managing Director of a high-growth start-up training company - Liverpool Business Services Ltd. 

Sree Ramaswarmy
Senior Fellow
McKinsey Global Institute
Washington, D.C. 

Sree Ramaswamy is a Senior Fellow at the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), McKinsey’s business and economics research arm. He leads research on the activities of corporations and their contribution to productivity, growth and competitiveness. He also leads MGI’s work on the future of global manufacturing and the impact of changes in demand, costs, technologies, and policies on various industries. In this capacity he has worked on issues related to advanced industries, investment and trade, and the trend of next-shoring in manufacturing. Other recent work includes an in-depth look at game-changing opportunities for the US economy—in energy, advanced industries, and infrastructure—and studies on labor and talent challenges in the US and other advanced economies.