2026 Manufacturing Summit

About this event

Get Ready for the 2026 South Dakota Manufacturing Summit!

Join us in person for an exciting day packed with insights, networking, and all things manufacturing right here in South Dakota. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just curious about the industry, this summit is the perfect spot to connect, learn, and grow your skills. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of the conversation and see what the future of manufacturing holds!

Summit Agenda

*Revised Thursday, October 29*

7:30 – 8:30 Registration and Networking Breakfast

8:30 – 8:45 Opening Remarks

8:45 – 9:30 Morning Keynote: Building America’s Defense Industrial Base: SBA’s Role in Manufacturing Growth – Lisa Shimkat, Associate Administrator of Field Operations for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

https://www.sba.gov/person/lisa-shimkat/

9:30 – 9:45 Transition/Vendors/Networking Break

9:45 – 10:30 Panel, Breakout Session, Tour

Panel Discussion – Marketing for Manufacturing

• Moderator: Christy Hunter, Fishnet Marketing

• Panelists:

• Melissa Vande Kieft, MV Consulting

• Kyle Jameson, Fresh Produce

• Megan Batteen, Midwest Marketing

Breakout Session – Lead People. Improve Processes. Execute Strategy .

• Scott Post, S Post Consulting + Siouxland Lean Consortium

STC Dept. Tour(s): Hosted by Aaron Lalley, STC and Travis Thiex, SDMTS

• Automation Engineering: Technology Center

• CNC Manufacturing: Mickelson Center

10:30 – 10:45 Transition/Vendors/Networking Break

10:45 – 11:30 Panel, Breakout Session, Tour

Panel Discussion – Financing Options for Manufacturing Expansions

• Moderator: Tyler Hinrichs, SBA

• Panelists:

• Amy Waite, Ally Dakota

• Damon Sehr, Sunrise Bank

• Lecia Kruse, US Bank

Breakout Session – Increasing SD Manufacturers’ Participation in the Defense Industrial Base (working title)

• Kim Olson, GOED

• Marcella Hurley, SD APEX Accelerator

STC Dept. Tour(s): Hosted by Aaron Lalley, STC and Travis Thiex, SDMTS

• Automation Engineering: Technology Center

• CNC Manufacturing: Mickelson Center

11:30 – 12:30 Lunch/Networking

12:30 – 1:15 General Session: Fireside Chat

• Spotlight: Chris Swier, FlexIT USA

• Interviewer: Eric Erickson, Prairie Family Business Association

1:15 – 1:30 Transition/Vendors/Networking Break

1:30 – 2:15 Breakout Sessions, Tour

Breakout Session – Homemade to Last: Preparing Your Business for Ownership Transition

• Eric Erickson, Prairie Family Business Association

Breakout Session – Demystifying Automation: A Practical Blueprint for South Dakota Manufacturers

• Jake Velde, Dakota Automation

STC Dept. Tour(s): Hosted by Aaron Lalley, STC and Travis Thiex, SDMTS

• Automation Engineering: Technology Center

• CNC Manufacturing: Mickelson Center

2:15 – 2:30 Transition

2:30 – 3:00 Acknowledgements and Final Remarks

3:00 Close

Thank You to Our Sponsors

From South Dakota Manufacturing & Technology Solutions