Manufacturing Leadership Award Finalists FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who submitted nominations for the Manufacturing Leadership Awards?
Nominations for this year’s awards came from companies of many different sizes, in many different industries, with locations around the world.
What can I do to promote my accomplishment?
You are welcome to share the news about your achievement in any of your marketing communications or other companywide announcements, including press releases, social media posts, email newsletters, or other outlets. Most importantly, be sure to share it with your customers, partners, colleagues and teams! Please see the main Award Finalists page for a press release template and social media graphics that you can download and use for any of your own promotional efforts, as well as dates when announcements will come from the Manufacturing Leadership Council and National Association of Manufacturers. Please note that any public announcements must not take place before April 10, 2026.
How can I register for the Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala and Rethink?
For step-by-step instructions on registering for Rethink and the Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala, please click here.
What happens at the Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala?
This black-tie event is a fun and festive evening that includes a cocktail reception, sit-down dinner, and recognition of all 2026 award finalists. A representative from each finalist company and all individual finalists are invited to walk on stage to accept their award. Category winners (highest scoring project or individual) will be announced during that time.
Please note that finalist trophies will be shipped directly to finalists after the gala – they will not be distributed on site. Finalists will be contacted to confirm their shipping information. Category winners will receive their trophies at the gala.
A professional photographer will be on hand to take photos of each team after they accept their award and other photos throughout the event; a link to download photos will be sent to all gala attendees after the event. Also to be announced at the gala are the Future of Manufacturing Award winners, 2026 Large Enterprise and Small/Medium Enterprise Manufacturers of the Year, and Manufacturing Leader of the Year.
What are my options for attending the Gala and/or Rethink: Accelerating Digital Transformation in Manufacturing?
As an award finalist, you are invited to join other manufacturing leaders for Rethink: Accelerating Digital Transformation in Manufacturing, June 21-24 in Scottsdale, Arizona. These are your registration options:
- Award Finalist Rethink Pass ($2,595): Includes a VIP Guided Technology Tour, Rethink welcome networking reception, access to all Rethink sessions and functions, and the Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala and Dinner.
- Award Finalist Rethink Pass with 1-to-1 Meetings Option (lowest price $1,095, conditional on number of meetings reserved): Participate in the 1-to-1 Meetings with technology/consulting partners of your choosing who can provide tailored consultation and insights to address your business challenges.
- Gala-Only Pass (Complimentary): You and a colleague can attend the Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala and Dinner at no cost. Additional colleagues can attend for $595. Personal guests can attend for $195 (limited to non-business colleagues).
Click here for step-by-step registration instructions.
If I choose to attend 1-to-1 Meetings, what are my obligations?
By registering with the 1-to-1 Meetings Package, you are registering for participation in up to six (6) 15-minute 1-to-1 meetings with leading and emerging sponsors of your choice. These meetings are tailored to address your business challenges, gain valuable insights, and potentially find solutions. They take place during designated time periods in the agenda on Tuesday, June 17, and Wednesday, June 18, with no other sessions running concurrently, so you won’t miss out on any content.
When should I arrive and depart?
To determine your travel plans, it is advised that you review the Rethink agenda. Registration will open at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 15, and is accompanied by a Early Registration Happy Hour. General programming for Rethink starts Monday, June 16, at 9 a.m. If you are attending the Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala and Dinner, please plan to depart on Thursday, June 19.
What is the best airport for getting to the event?
There are two options for getting to Scottsdale:
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) (23 miles)
3400 E Sky Harbor Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
https://www.skyharbor.com/ - Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) (39 miles)
6033 S Sossaman Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85212
https://www.gatewayairport.com/
What is the hotel room rate for this event?
Nightly room rate at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is $289 before taxes and feeds. Reservations must be made by Thursday, May 28, 2026, to be eligible for this discounted rate. To book online, click here. To book by phone, call 1 (480) 585-4848 and reference the National Association of Manufacturers or Rethink and Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala. We highly suggest making your reservations early to guarantee availability and the discounted rate.
What if I only want to attend the Gala?
Attendance at the Gala is complimentary for you and an executive peer. Additional colleagues and personal guests must purchase a ticket. Click here for detailed registration instructions.
What is the dress code?
The Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala and Dinner is a black-tie event. The dress code at Rethink is business casual. It is suggested that attendees dress in layers to remain comfortable in varying room temperatures.
Where can I rent formalwear for the Gala?
We have partnered with Men’s Wearhouse to offer a group discount for formalwear rentals. Visit your local Men’s Wearhouse location for an up-to-date fitting and reference Group #13017823 when placing your order.
Important: Please note that for 2025, we will not host any on-site tuxedo pickups, alterations, swaps, returns, or any other handling at the hotel. Guests will be responsible for arranging pickup either at their local Men’s Wearhouse store or at the Naples, FL, location (the store closest to Marco Island) – your choice at the time of rental. Guests will also be responsible for returning tuxedos to a Men’s Wearhouse location on their own – there will be no pickups at the hotel.
For formal gown rentals, one recommended option is Rent the Runway.
Can I bring a guest to the gala? If so, what is the cost?
These are the pass options for guests:
- Additional Business Colleague Gala Pass: $595
- Personal Guest Gala Pass (family/spouse/partner etc.): $195
Who else from my organization can attend the Gala and/or the Rethink Summit?
The Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala is open for all to attend in honor of our 2026 finalists and winners. Each award finalist receives two (2) complimentary passes to attend the gala.
Additional Rethink and awards gala passes can be purchased for $2,595 (a $500 discount from the full registration price) or as low as $895 with registration for the 1-to-1 Meetings package.
Registration to attend Rethink is permitted to those in leadership positions in manufacturing companies and other peripheral organizations such as associations, academia and affiliated groups. For reference, specific positions such as team leader, supervisor, manager, director, VP, SVP, EVP, and C-level management in operations, manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, IT, HR, and other digital related roles are welcome to attend. Sales and marketing executives from manufacturing companies are prohibited. If you have any questions about attend, please contact [email protected].
Additionally, registration is limited to end-user manufacturing organizations and approved academia. Solution providers: Organizations that provide any form of technology and/or consulting products and services to manufacturing organizations, and do not manufacture any products, are not permitted to attend outside of sponsorship. If an individual from an organization that qualifies as a solution provider registers, a Manufacturing Leadership Council team member will contact you about your registration.
