MEDA Fall Conference & Showcase to Highlight Advancement of Maryland’s Manufacturing Industry
The Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) announces its 2014 Fall Conference and Showcase taking place Sunday, October 26, and Monday, October 27, at Rocky Gap in Cumberland, Maryland. The theme of the conference is “Advancing Manufacturing in Maryland.”
Kicking off MEDA’s fourth annual Economic Development Week, the Fall Conference and Showcase will highlight Maryland’s momentum as a manufacturing powerhouse and the role that economic development plays in advancing manufacturing in the state.
The two-day event begins with the Showcase from 1 to 5 p.m. October 26, when economic development professionals from across the state will gather to enjoy local food samples, see displays of products made in Maryland and network with peers.
The following day, the Fall Conference from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. will deepen the dialogue among industry professionals as experts and pacesetters in the manufacturing industry explore Maryland’s manufacturing sectors on the move and share game-changing opportunities within the global economy.
“The conference will begin with a global message about manufacturing—what it is, how it’s growing, and where it’s heading,” said Pam Ruff, executive director of MEDA. “Experts who are serving Maryland’s thousands of manufacturing companies every day will share their experiences as well as how economic development professionals can help those companies continue to grow.”
Keynote speakers at the conference will include Sree Ramaswamy, senior fellow at the McKinsey Global Institute, who leads the company’s work on the future of global manufacturing and the impact of changes in demand, costs, technologies and policies on various industries, and Sandy Montalbano D’Amico, a public relations and media consultant who, aside from working on behalf of the Reshoring Initiative since 2012, has worked in the manufacturing industry for more than 25 years.
Carl Livesay, manufacturing director for the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), will discuss the ways that the DBED’s manufacturing unit nurtures the growth and relocation of new firms to Maryland and set the stage for three panels, which will include “Highlighting Innovation,” moderated by Jan Baum, director of 3D Maryland; “Lean Business,” moderated by Jeff Fuchs, director of the Maryland World Class Consortia; and “Resources for Economic Development,” moderated by Brian Sweeney, executive director of the Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
MEDA’s Fall Conference and Showcase is sponsored by the Allegany County Department of Economic and Community Development; the City of Cumberland Economic Development office; Comcast; the Garrett County Office of Economic Development; the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development; the Maryland Economic Development Corporation; the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development; the Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership; Rocky Gap (in-kind); and the Washington County Department of Business Development.
To learn more about the MEDA Fall Conference and Showcase and to register, please visit www.medamd.com.
About Economic Development Week:
Economic development transforms lives by creating opportunities, inspiring innovation and enriching communities. MEDA’s annual Economic Development Week emphasizes the importance of economic development for the state of Maryland to the general public with initiatives and events held throughout the state. Taking place Sunday, October 26, through Friday, October 31, this year, MEDA’s fourth annual Economic Development Week will spotlight the initiatives improving business retention, job growth and the overall quality of life for Maryland’s citizens.
About MEDA:
MEDA enhances the knowledge and skills of its members and encourages partnerships and networking among those committed to bringing jobs and investment to Maryland. In addition to quarterly conferences, members have access to opportunities, discounts and scholarships for professional development. They may also participate in awards programs that highlight innovative economic development, redevelopment and marketing projects and programs in the state of Maryland.
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Contact:
Pam Ruff, Executive Director
Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA)
pamr@medamd.com
410-347-1246
