The State of Manufacturing® – One Week Away

With Election Day behind us, Minnesota’s attention turns to what comes next, and for our state’s manufacturers that conversation starts one week from today. The 2026 State of Manufacturing® Survey results will be released next Wednesday, November 11, at Enterprise Minnesota’s annual statewide release event in Minneapolis.

This year we’re pleased to share that we have invited Minnesota’s Governor-elect Amy Klobuchar to address the group. The event offers attendees one of the first opportunities to hear from the state’s incoming leadership as a new administration prepares to take office.

Be among the first to hear data-driven insights on the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping Minnesota’s manufacturing industry, presented by Rob Autry, founder of Meeting Street Insights and the official pollster of the State of Manufacturing®. Find out how manufacturers are responding to challenges ranging from inflation and supply chain disruptions to workforce shortages and productivity, and how they view the road ahead.

You’ll also hear from leaders in manufacturing, finance, and higher education during a panel discussion moderated by Dee DePass, business reporter with the Minnesota Star Tribune.

We look forward to this event every year because it offers so much more than the survey results. It’s one of the premier networking opportunities of the year, bringing together manufacturing executives, industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the state. Whether you want to meet a potential new customer, or a new vendor, or simply connect with Minnesota’s manufacturing community, this is the event to attend.

Wednesday, November 11, 2026 | 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Minneapolis Marriott Northwest

There is no cost to attend the event, which is open to all manufacturers and supporters of manufacturing. Please use this link to register.

Agenda:

• 3:00–4:00 p.m. – Registration and networking with complimentary beverages
• 4:00 – Welcome with Mark O’Leary, President & CEO, Enterprise Minnesota
• 2026 State of Manufacturing® survey results with Rob Autry, Founder, Meeting Street Insights
  State of Manufacturing Panel Discussion moderated by Dee DePass, Business Reporter, Minnesota Star Tribune, featuring:
  • Matt Hanson, President, Hanson Companies
  • Tate Johnson, President & CEO, Straub Design Company
  • Joe Mulford, President, Pine Technical & Community College
  • Tom Weizenegger, Chief Investment Officer, 1834 Wealth Management, a division of Old National Bank
• 6:00 – Networking Reception

If you can’t join us next Wednesday, I encourage you to mark your calendar for one of our regional events, which will take place over the following several weeks. At each regional event, our president and CEO Mark O’Leary will present the survey findings and moderate panels of local manufacturing executives who will share their perspectives on regional trends and business conditions. Find the schedule of those events here.

Bringing the manufacturing community together at these events is a highlight of the year for us, and with a new administration preparing to take office, this year’s conversation feels especially timely. We hope you can join us

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