On May 10th, DVIRC and its sponsors held another successful Manufacturing Executives Conference at the beautiful Downingtown Country Club. The event drew in more than 170 manufacturing leaders who were eager to learn from expert speakers, share best practices, and engage in an optional round of golf.
The conference kicked off with a warm welcome and opening remarks from Rob Crossett and Barry Miller, both representing DVIRC. They set the tone for the day, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing within the manufacturing industry.
One of the highlights of the event was a presentation by Chris Scafario, President of DVIRC, who spoke about Manufacturing’s Moonshot and DVIRC’s vision for 2030. Scafario shared some of the emerging opportunities for regional suppliers with the U.S. Navy and provided valuable insights into rapidly changing technology advancements as well as the challenges and opportunities in the manufacturing sector. Scafario emphasized the important role manufacturers will play in both the region and the country as a whole, and he shed light on how they can navigate the evolving landscape successfully.
Brian Clapp from CCI Consulting took the stage next, delivering a thought-provoking presentation on the top 2023 workforce trends. He emphasized the need for effective workforce strategy and management to mitigate risks associated with these trends. Clapp’s expertise in this area resonated with the audience, as they gained valuable insights into staying ahead in terms of workforce development.
Bob Cohen, Owner of Acme Corrugated Box, and Rip Collins, CEO of TEC Services shared an inspiring story of student success and opportunities for student engagement with “The Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School Story.” Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School is a unique model of high school that opened in 2012 with a unique partnership of local educators, businesses, and universities. The school boasts a 100% college acceptance rate and has set up many students for prosperous careers in a variety of industries, including manufacturing.
Tony Girifalco, EVP of DVIRC, and Hannah McGarry, Director of Workforce Engagement at DVIRC shared some of the great work DVIRC is doing with its Workforce Initiative to grow the talent pipeline of skilled workers for Southeastern Pennsylvania’s manufacturers by spreading awareness of the exciting and rewarding careers available in the industry. So far DVIRC has raised $764,000 of its $1 million fundraising goal to support this effort.
Interested in supporting the Workforce Initiative? Click here to make a donation.
