Monday, June 22
7:45 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Registration Opens
8:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Annual MLC Council Meeting*
*Access is provided to ML Council members only.
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Networking Luncheon
Open to all registered Rethink 2026 attendees. The Networking Luncheon will be followed by an afternoon of strategic industry content that too is open to all registered Rethink 2026 attendees.
12:45 p.m. Welcome and Introductions
- Ron Castro, Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer, IBM; Chair, MLC Board of Governors
- Jay Timmons, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Manufacturers
1:00 p.m. What’s Ahead for the Economy and Manufacturing?
Manufacturers are navigating a complex mix of policy uncertainty, shifting trade dynamics, and uneven growth. This session will offer a clear outlook for the remainder of 2026 and 2027, focusing on tariffs and supply chains, demand and production trends, capex and credit conditions, productivity and technology adoption, and the workforce—translating macro signals into practical implications for operations and investment.
This session will be followed by a panel discussion on economic trends. Manufacturing company executives on the front lines will share their aspirations and concerns about the coming months.
- Gregory Daco, Chief Economist, Strategy and Transactions, EY
Moderator: David R. Brousell, Founder, Vice President and Executive Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
2:30 p.m. Networking Break
2:45 p.m. Energy Infrastructure at a Crossroads: Challenges and Opportunities for Manufacturers
- Don Leavens, Ph.D., Chief Economist and Senior Vice President, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
As U.S. energy demand accelerates—driven by data centers, artificial intelligence, electrification and manufacturing reshoring—our power generation, transmission and distribution system is struggling to keep up. A widening gap between peak power demand and generation capacity, an aging electrical grid and a backlog of critical components cumulatively poses one of the most significant challenges to American economic growth and energy security. For manufacturing leaders driving digital transformation, these energy challenges have direct implications for plant reliability, AI and automation investments, and long-erm competitiveness.
Gain insights into how manufacturers are addressing these issues and hear about the updated findings from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s 2025 study, A Reliable Grid for an Electric Future, outlining how electrical manufacturers are supplying the technology and solutions to help the grid meet rising demand. Attendees will come away with a clearer understanding of how grid constraints may impact manufacturing operations, what leaders can do to mitigate energy-related risks, and how to align digital strategies with the realities of today’s evolving electricity market.
This Session will be followed by a panel discussion examining what these energy dynamics mean for manufacturing leaders.
- Don Leavens, Ph.D., Chief Economist and Senior Vice President, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
- Chris Phalen, Vice President, Domestic Policy, National Association of Manufacturers
Moderator: David R. Brousell, Founder, Vice President and Executive Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
3:30 p.m. DC State of Mind: Manufacturing Policy and the 2026 Elections
- Charles Crain, Managing Vice President, Policy, National Association of Manufacturers
What happens in Washington, DC has a direct impact on manufacturers’ operations across the country. A year and a half into the Trump administration and the 119th Congress, manufacturers have secured historic policy wins—from generational tax reform and regulatory modernization to advances in AI and energy leadership. Yet significant opportunities remain, including permitting reform, infrastructure investment, health care, and trade policy.
Looking ahead to the 2026 midterms, the session will explore the state of play for pro-manufacturing policy and equip manufacturers with the insights needed to navigate uncertainty and position their organizations for what’s next.
4:00 p.m. Panel Discussion: Leadership that Moves the Business—Not Just the Work
As priorities multiply and resources remain constrained, effective leadership requires more than keeping teams busy—it demands clear alignment with what the business truly values. This session explores how manufacturing leaders identify high-impact work, ensure teams choose priorities intentionally, and decline misaligned efforts without creating organizational resistance. Panelists will discuss how to measure and communicate business impact in terms executives care about, support teams when strategic bets fall short, and ensure meaningful contributions are visible and recognized. The focus is on building teams that deliver outcomes, not just activity.
- Enrique Herrera, Manufacturing Industry Principal, Zebra Technologies
- Kim Johnson, Area Vice President, Manufacturing, Oracle
- Carolyn Lee, President and Executive Director, The Manufacturing Institute
- Sachin Lulla, Americas Industrial and Energy Transformation Leader, EY
Moderator: Penelope Brown, Senior Content Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. VIP Exhibit Hall Tour
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Welcome Networking Reception
Need we say more? Spend several days building relationships and connecting with like-minded executives both in and out of the event sessions.
Hear from industry experts with curated content throughout the event, including real-world case studies, panel discussions, research insights, executive interviews and more!
Participate in our personal 1-on-1 meetings to understand how different solutions can help you overcome your current business challenges.
Collaborate, engage, share and learn with your peers in our interactive Think Tank sessions. With a dozen topics to choose from, you are certain to walk away with new insights and ideas.
No matter where you are in your digital transformation journey, Rethink will help you understand how technologies can accelerate your journey, provide real-world insights and access to the manufacturing organizations leading the way.
A Rethink exclusive! Hear the highlights from each of our event partners during the Rethink custom VIP tour. In two minutes or less, you’ll gain quick insights and know where you’d like to take the opportunity to understand more.
Join small group table discussions during lunch to discuss specific industry topics around some of the biggest challenges facing manufacturers today.
Connect with some of the top Manufacturing Leadership Award project finalists and gain firsthand insights into their projects during our lightning round sessions and meet n’ greet tables.
Set against the backdrop of Arizona’s McDowell Mountains, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess offers serene lagoons, unparalleled golf, exceptional dining options and an award-winning spa.
