2026 MPMA Annual Meeting Schedule

2:00pm – 2:45pm
Refreshment Break

2:45pm – 3:00pm
Welcome Remarks

3:00pm – 4:15pm
Recruiting, Retention, and Simple Sales Strategies in Multi-Generational Marketplace
Cam Marston – This presentation reveals what today’s employees actually need to stay engaged—and shows leaders how to turn those insights into everyday actions that strengthen teams and sharpen their competitive edge. Participants learn practical techniques they can take home immediately: designing workplace culture experiences that stick, motivating across generations, and showcasing a workplace that attracts both talent and customers. Along the way, they’ll pick up simple sales tips rooted in generational insight—how to read what each age group cares about, how to tailor messages that land, and how to avoid the turn-offs that quietly kill the sale. Everyone will leave with clear, repeatable steps they can use tomorrow morning to build a workplace people want to join, stay in, and buy from.

4:15pm – 4:45pm
Break

4:45pm – 5:45pm
Future in Motion: Foresight as a Strategy Driver
Kristine Metter – As global markets shift and technology accelerates, leaders in the power transmission industry need to use the best available intelligence. This session introduces the practice of strategic foresight, which can help you identify drivers of change, explore multiple possible future scenarios, and make decisions that position your company ahead of disruption. You will then participate in facilitated roundtable discussions to examine one high-impact emerging issue shaping your industry. You will leave with an understanding of how foresight supports organizational strategy and gain insight from your peers as you look into the future.

5:45pm – 6:00pm
Wrap up and closing remarks

9:00am – 9:15am
Welcome Remarks

9:15am – 10:15pm
Forging Ahead: Adapting to a Shifting Manufacturing Landscape
Laurie Harbour – The North American manufacturing sector has faced significant uncertainty in the last few years, with continued economic, supply chain, and workforce challenges testing even the most established companies. Manufacturers — along with the broader industrial community — have been pushed to adapt rapidly, finding new ways to stay competitive, improve efficiency, and protect margins.

In this session, Laurie will share insights on the U.S. economic, tariff and manufacturing landscape, the manufacturing forecast, industry updates and a call to action for improving your business. She will challenge industry leaders to shift from passive to proactive by focusing on what can be controlled—improving operations, modernizing sales processes, strengthening data collection, and leveraging analytics for smarter, faster decisions. Attendees will walk away with a fresh understanding of where the industry stands and actionable steps to rise above the uncertainty with agility and confidence.

10:15am – 10:45pm
Refreshment Break

10:45pm – 12:00pm
Trade and Tariffs Overview
Nate Bolin – Over its first 16 months, the Trump administration has issued and changed dozens of new tariffs, including fentanyl-related tariffs, reciprocal tariffs of up to 50%, special China tariffs, and sectoral tariffs on autos, auto parts, steel, aluminum, copper, lumber products, furniture, and medium and heavy-duty trucks—with more sectoral tariffs on deck.  

11:45am – 12:00pm
Wrap up and closing remarks