Kickoff!

We recently invited our Platinum sponsors to help us launch this year’s State of Manufacturing® (SOM) season. Their financial backing, market acumen, and business networks help make the survey—and the events built around it—the success it has become. Their support is essential to our broader purpose of using the SOM to cultivate and deepen connections across the manufacturing community and help companies thrive.

Conducting the survey and sharing its results across Minnesota connects the manufacturing community from the ground up. Manufacturers and their supporters providing input on the survey themes, fielding calls from our pollster, joining regional focus groups, and attending the statewide and regional events where results are unveiled. Each year, that process deepens the bonds within Minnesota’s manufacturing ecosystem.

Mark O’Leary, our president and CEO, says that “our strong partnerships enable us to bring in one of the country’s top pollsters every year. They are also market leaders who understand the top concerns facing manufacturers, adding valuable insight as we shape the survey questions.”

Eighteen years into the SOM survey, support from our partners has never been stronger. Over time, we’ve learned how to lean on each other’s strengths to serve manufacturers across the state. We’re excited for another season together.

There are several ways for manufacturers and supporters to get involved in the 18th annual State of Manufacturing®.

• The Survey — If you’re a manufacturer, we’d love for you to take our pollster’s call or respond by email. Your voice shapes the data.
• Focus Groups — We’re holding eight of these events across the state, giving manufacturers an opportunity to dive deeply into the issues that matter most.
• Events — This is the big one: eight events in November and December, and we’d encourage anyone connected to manufacturing to attend.

Our flagship event is November 11 in Minneapolis, where about 600 people will gather to hear Rob Autry—our pollster for all 18 surveys—present this year’s findings. We’ll also hold regional events in Duluth, East Grand Forks, Glenwood, Grand Rapids, Marshall, Owatonna, and Sauk Centre.

These events are genuinely great opportunities to meet customers, suppliers, and people who can make a real difference in your work. Mark your calendars!

Visit our website to learn more and register for an event near you.

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