2025 State of Manufacturing Expo & Conference—Sponsored by PNC

What's more fun than a one-day Manufacturing Expo and Conference? A TWO-DAY Manufacturing Expo & Conference!

Join ARMA on Oct. 1 & 2 for the 2025 State of Manufacturing Expo & Conference at the Kalahari Resorts in Round Rock.  

Join ARMA on Oct. 1 & 2 for the 2025 State of Manufacturing Expo & Conference at the Kalahari Resorts in Round Rock.  The two-day event will feature an expo providing an opportunity for manufacturers and suppliers to network, create connections, showcase and learn about the latest technologies, innovations, products, and services in Central Texas.
 
In addition, the conference will bring together an all-star lineup of panels and presentations of industry thought leaders to explore the pressing issues facing Central Texas manufacturers with a special industry focus on aerospace and space.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Women in Manufacturing networking brunch (included with conference ticket)
• A dedicated workforce development section is designed to spark innovation and collaboration around talent development in Central Texas manufacturing.
• These workforce micro-sessions will bring together industry leaders, educational partners from K–12 through college, and workforce specialists to share best practices, explore emerging solutions, and connect employers with resources to attract, train, and retain top talent.
• Stay overnight at the Kalahari Resort for 60% off using ARMA's discounted room block!
• Happy hour & more opportunities for networking over dinner at one of the many Kalahari restaurants or bars. 
• Drinks, food, and door prizes are included with conference ticket registration. 
• Expo attendance is free!

EVENT DETAILS

DATE & TIME:

Wed., Oct. 1, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 2, 9 a.m. – noon

LOCATION:

Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665

KALAHARI DISCOUNTED ROOM BLOCK

Maximize your time on the floor—book through our exclusive room block to stay close to the action and keep your team focused for both days of the Expo. Bring your families and take advantage of Kalahari's exciting activities! 

Stay overnight with a 60% Discount 

https://book.passkey.com/event/50986753/owner/50022711/home

ATTENDEE REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Conference Ticket (ARMA Member) |  $200 Early Bird

Conference Ticket (Non-Member) |  $300 Early Bird

Expo Attendee (View exhibits) |  FREE (Must Register)

*Please note that the free expo attendee tickets do not grant access to the conference portion of the event.

**Please note, no refunds after September 10th 

EXPO ATTENDEES

Tickets to walk the expo floor and view exhibitor tables are FREE but still requires registration.  Expo attendee tickets include admission to walk the trade show floor and view all exhibitor tables, as well as attend the happy hour at the end of Day 1. Conference attendance and Women in Manufacturing brunch is excluded.

CONFERENCE ATTENDEES
Conference tickets include admission to the conference, buffet lunch, admission to the expo, and to the Women in Manufacturing brunch and the happy hour at the end of Day 1.

CONFERENCE TABLE SPONSORS
Table sponsor tickets include 10 conference tickets, plus logo recognition on reserved table.

2025 State of Manufacturing Expo and Conference Agenda*

(*This schedule may change. Check back here, or the conference app, for final schedule and details closer to the conference date.)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1

8:00 a.m. | Exhibitor Welcome and Breakfast in Expo Hall – Sponsor TBD

8:00 a.m. | Registration Opens for Conference

9:00 a.m. | EXPO OPEN

9:00 a.m. | Women’s Networking Brunch
          (Featuring Lisa Shimkat, U.S.Small Business Administration)

10:00 a.m. | Conference Opening Remarks (ARMA CEO, Kevin Fincher)

10:20 a.m. | Conference Welcome (Round Rock Mayor, Craig Morgan)

10:30 a.m. | Texas Aerospace Update
          (Dave Porter, Central Texas Space Port Development Corporation)

10:40 a.m. | Space, The New Texas Frontier: Texas Space Panel
          Moderator: Norman Garza Jr., Executive Director,Texas Space Commission
          Panelists: Shey Sabripour, Founder, CEO, CesiumAstro;
           Brad Morrison, U.S. AirForce and Texas Space Commission Board Member
          Others TBD

11:30 a.m. | Buffet Lunch

12:15 p.m. | TBD Keynote Speaker

1:30 p.m. | Blue Forge Alliance

2:30 p.m. | Deepesh Chouhan, North American Segment Leader, Nvidia

3:30 p.m. | Lisa Shimkat, U.S. Small Business Administration

4:00 p.m. | USTR/Trade Policy Discussion

5:00 p.m. | Happy Hour / Networking / Raffle Prizes

Join us for drinks, appetizers, and prizes!

5:00 p.m. | EXPO CLOSES

7:00 p.m. | ARMA After Hours   
Grab dinner at one of the many Kalahari restaurants and bars and continue your conversations!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2

9:00 a.m. | EXPO OPEN

9:00 a.m. | Welcome to Day 2!

10:00 a.m. | Dave Capkovitz, Founder, EBITDA Growth Systems

11:00 a.m. | Carrie Hines, President & CEO, American Small Manufacturers Coalition

11:30 a.m. | Closing Remarks / Raffle Prizes

12:00 p.m. | EXPO CLOSES / CONFERENCE ENDS

12:00 p.m. | Exhibitor move out

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT MICRO-SESSIONS

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1

10:00 a.m. | Blue Forge

10:30 a.m. | Skillbridge

10:30 a.m. | Marion Wells, Founder, Human Asset Management 

11:30 a.m. | Lunch Break

1:30 p.m. | Panel Discussion with TSTC, ACC, Temple College

2:00 p.m. | Afternoon TBD