BGSU Advanced Manufacturing Summit 2026

BGSU Advanced Manufacturing Summit 2026

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Bowen-Thompson Student Union

Summit Overview

The BGSU Advanced Manufacturing Summit brings together manufacturers, students, educators, workforce partners and regional leaders to explore the future of advanced manufacturing and strengthen connections between education and industry.

Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, breakout sessions and networking opportunities, attendees will gain fresh insights into emerging technologies, workforce trends and talent strategies while building relationships that support innovation and economic growth across Northwest Ohio and beyond.

Industry Partners & Employers

  • Connect with industry leaders
  • Discover emerging talent
  • Expand strategic partnerships
  • Share workforce insights
  • Strengthen your talent pipeline

Students

  • Explore career pathways
  • Connect with employers
  • Learn from industry leaders
  • Discover industry trends
  • Build your professional network

Summit Agenda

TimeSession
9:00–9:30 a.m.Student Preconference Session
9:30–10:00 a.m.Doors Open
Registration, coffee and networking
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Robotic demos, featuring Bowling Green State University’s College of Engineering and Innovation faculty and students
10:00–10:20 a.m.University Welcome
10:20–11:00 a.m.Panel Discussion
Leadership in Manufacturing

Featured panelists:
Matt Myrand | Automation CoE Director, Whirlpool
Annette Heslep | Chief Financial Officer, GROB Systems
11:00–11:15 a.m.Networking Break
11:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m.Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Explore: The Future of Work in Advanced Manufacturing
Connect: What Makes Students Say Yes to Manufacturing?
12:00–1:00 p.m.Networking Lunch
1:00–1:45 p.m.Keynote Address: Andrew Stocking
President and CEO, Principle Business Enterprises (PBE)
Bowling Green, Ohio
1:45–2:00 p.m.Networking Break
2:00–2:45 p.m.

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Explore: The Manufacturing Ecosystem: Supply Chain, Logistics and Regional Competitiveness

Featured speakers:
John Kerr | Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Management, BGSU Schmidthorst College of Business
Dave Uncapher | Director of Transportation, Ohio Logistics

Connect: Making Manufacturing Visible: How Employers Can Show Up for Students

Featured panelists:
Meredith Reffey | Department Lead, Workforce Pipeline, Honda 
Chris Blessing | Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Wurtec
Erin Schwiebert | HR & Communications Leader, O-I Glass

2:45–3:00 p.m.Closing
3:00–5:00 p.m.Industry Networking Happy Hour
Industry professionals, faculty and invited guests.
(Student programming concludes at 3 p.m.)

Featured Keynote Speaker

andystocking-bio-headshot

Andrew Stocking

President and CEO

Principle Business Enterprises, Inc.

Andrew Stocking, Ph.D., is CEO and President of Principle Business Enterprises, Inc. (PBE), a manufacturing firm based outside of Bowling Green, Ohio that manufactures and markets a variety of innovative, high-performance absorbent products, with the largest application being incontinence products for those with heavy to severe incontinence. The company is fueled by its mission to uplift the lives of both its customers and employees.

PBE was founded in 1961 by Andrew’s grandmother, and he is the third generation to lead the company. Over the past decade, he has continued to elevate the mission while also bringing a focus on operational and financial efficiency and enriching the lives of its people. Prior to joining PBE, Andrew held a succession of roles within the federal government, first at the Congressional Budget Office and then with the Department of Energy. In those roles, he conducted work in energy security, clean transportation, renewable energy, electricity markets, and cap and trade programs. He has also written and published on a variety of topics in environmental and healthcare economics, including auction design, oil and gas development, the strategic petroleum reserve, Chinese trade policy, electricity markets, prescription drug benefits, Medicare, and competition in healthcare.

Andrew taught economics as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland and at Bowling Green State University. Andrew has a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, master's degree in civil engineering, both from Stanford University and a master's degree and PhD in Resource Economics from the University of Maryland.

Who Should Attend?

  • Manufacturing and supply chain organizations
  • Students exploring manufacturing careers
  • Workforce and economic development partners
  • Career technical and higher education institutions
  • Engineering, technology and professional services firms
  • Construction and energy organizations
  • Government and community leaders

Registration

The BGSU Advanced Manufacturing Summit is free to attend thanks to the support of our partners. Advance registration is required, and capacity is limited.

Register Now

Sponsors

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Penta Logo

Support the Summit

  • Partner with BGSU to support the Advanced Manufacturing Summit and connect with students, industry leaders, and regional partners

Explore Sponsorship Opportunities

Hosted by the Advanced Manufacturing Career Accelerator

  • The BGSU Advanced Manufacturing Career Accelerator connects students with industry through career-focused expereinces, real-world learning and employer engagement.

Learn more about the Advanced Manufacturing Career Accelerator

Location & Parking

Lenhart Grand Ballroom
Bowen-Thompson Student Union
1001 E. Wooster Street
Bowling Green, OH 43403.

Parking information and event arrival details will be emailed to registered attendees prior to the summit. A campus map is available to help you plan your visit.

Questions?

Kassie Cooper

Updated: 09/15/2026 05:30PM