The San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance (SJVMA) and the Fresno Business Council (FBC) are proud to announce the Sixth Annual “Valley Made” Manufacturing Summit featuring keynote speaker Fresno-based John Shegerian, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of ERI. More than 1,000 manufacturing industry attendees are expected to participate in the event to be held on Tuesday, April 21 from7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fresno Convention Center Exhibit Hall. Registration is open by visiting www.sjvma.org. Also sponsorships and exhibit space are available by contacting Genelle Taylor Kumpe via email (genelle@sjvma.org) or calling 559-214-0140.
The Sixth Annual “Valley Made” Manufacturing Summit is designed as a workshop and resource expo that celebrates the Valley’s history of innovation in manufacturing while providing resources and networking opportunities that continue to build a well-trained, outstanding workforce. At its core, the Summit promotes cross-sector collaboration aimed at creating a globally-competitive environment for the Valley’s manufacturing industry. After five years, the Summit has maintained continual growth yet the focus remains the same – building a future where Valley manufacturing thrives through innovative collaboration, engagement, and creating a culture that cultivates workers that are higher skilled and better educated.
“The goal of the SJVMA is to provide manufacturers with the needed resources and workforce connections to upscale and train existing employees for today’s automated technologies, and to attract the next generation workforce to grow the industry and region for a brighter future,” said Troy Brandt, Chairman of the Board for the San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance and General Manager at Hydratech. “We are proud to announce our keynote speaker, John Shegerian, whose address will complement the Summit’s goals by providing attendees invaluable takeaways on how to attract and retain effective employees and clients through good times and bad.”
Shegerian, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of ERI, and the 2020 “Valley Made” Summit keynote speaker is a well-known entrepreneur in the manufacturing industry. He is a highly popular speaker both nationally and internationally, providing his expertise in the field to various media outlets, including TIME, The Wall Street Journal and many others. As an entrepreneur, Shegerian co-founded several organizations built on his philosophies of making the world a better place one business at a time, and of providing a second chance to those who are most in need. His philosophies have led him to run the largest electronic recycling company in the U.S. and one of the most successful student loan companies, among other ventures.
Shegerian’s keynote address titled “C.A.R.E.: Culture Affects Retention & Earnings,” along with his expertise and infinite knowledge of topics including electronic recycling and cybersecurity will pave the way for the rest of the Summit’s breakout sessions that will be announced in 2020.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to have been invited to address the attendees of the forthcoming ‘Valley Made’ Manufacturing Summit,” said Shegerian. “The Convention Center will be filled with the leading lights of the Central Valley’s manufacturing industry and many of my fellow local business leaders, so I’m excited to have the opportunity to share useful takeaways regarding positive culture team building and how to balance best employee retention practices and effective operations with growing a profitable enterprise.”
The SJVMA’s membership is made up of nearly 1,000 business leaders, partner groups and manufacturers from all sectors throughout the Valley. The San Joaquin Valley’s manufacturing industry is responsible for nearly $15 billion of the Valley’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs more than 105,000 people. Nationally, the manufacturing industry is responsible for $2.38 trillion in GDP. It is estimated that over the next decade, almost 3.5 million U.S. manufacturing jobs will need to be filled due to baby-boomer retirements.
The San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance provides support for local manufacturers through elevating the workforce pipeline, educating the public on the industry, building constructive relationships and hosting the “Valley Made” Summit.
Attendees from across the Valley come to the Summit to get to know regional companies, learn from major industry innovators, and make valuable and lasting connections. To learn more about this year’s event, visit sjvma.org.
