This event was previously known as the Strategic Resources Network (SRN) Meeting. Following a strategic review in 2021, the name of the event has been changed to coincide with its restructuring. Click here to read more about it.
The AGMA SNL Forum is a group that brings together AGMA members from across the gear industry. The goal of the SNL Forum is to provide a dynamic, educational, and collaborative event to help participants grow, both within the industry and the association. The SNL Forum offers robust, peer-focused networking opportunities to mid-level managers and next-generation executives in the gear industry, giving attendees new tools to utilize in a rapidly changing industry and economy. The event features educational opportunities in business training, thorough exposure to both leadership and emerging technology resources, and hands-on learning with a tour of a future-focused industry facility.
The keynote speaker for this event, Andrew Crowe, was generously funded by the AGMA Foundation.
Hotel Information
Milwaukee Marriott Downtown
625 N Milwaukee St
Milwaukee, WI 53202, US
Registration Rates
Member Registrant
$765
Nonmember Registrant
$965
Discounted room rates for this event are available for $209 per night.
The hotel cutoff date for this discount has been extended to April 12, 2024.
Event Schedule
- Wednesday, May 1
- Thursday, May 2
- Friday, May 3
9:00am-12:00pm
Pre-Event Tour of Scot Forge – RSVP Required
Take a mesmerizing journey behind the fiery scenes. You will witness the ancient artistry of metalworking come to life in modern form, immersing yourself in the exciting heart of craftsmanship and innovation, including new technologies such as additive manufacturing.
Transportation will be provided from the Milwaukee Marriott Downtown to Scot Forge’s Spring Grove facility at 8am. The tour will take place from 10am-12pm with return transportation to the hotel by 1pm.
Lunch and transportation will be provided courtesy of Scot Forge.
2:00pm – 5:00pm
Registration Open
2:30pm – 3:00pm
Welcome Remarks, Introductions, and Icebreaker
Each attendees get a few minutes to introduce themselves, their company, and what services they provide.
3:00pm – 5:15pm
What is Keeping You Up at Night?
A roundtable discussion for attendees to talk about the issues they are facing.
4:15pm – 4:45pm
Networking Break
5:30pm – 6:30pm
Welcome Happy Hour
7:00pm
Dinner on your own.
9:00am – 4:30pm
Registration Open
9:00am – 9:30am
Breakfast
9:30am – 10:00am
AGMA Update
10:00am – 11:00am
GEAR UP OR GET LEFT BEHIND: A Wake-Up Call for the American Gear Industry
Andrew Crowe
The American gear manufacturing industry is facing a seismic skills and demographic crisis that threatens its very survival. With 70% of the workforce over 45 and retirements accelerating, a projected shortage of 50,000 machinists looms in the next decade.
At the same time, the rapid pace of technological innovations demands fresh thinking and new skills to remain competitive. Gear companies that fail to take bold action to attract young, diverse talent and integrate advances like 3D printing and robotics will inevitably decline.
Andrew Crowe presents a powerful wake-up call in this keynote. Drawing on the latest data and examples, he makes an urgent call to action for gear industry leaders. Specific strategies are outlined to modernize recruiting, leverage technology to reshape perceptions, invest in retraining, and revitalize the talent pipeline.
The future remains unwritten. Companies failing to act risk irrelevance. But with vision and leadership, a bright future awaits. The time to gear up is now. This keynote provides an indispensable roadmap for building the skilled workforce needed to equip the industry to thrive in the 21st century.
Don’t hit snooze on this urgent wake-up call. Learn how to attract and retain the best talent and lead the future of the gear industry.
11:00am – 11:45am
Networking Break
11:45am – 12:45pm
Gear Industry Market Intelligence Update
Blake Griffin
Back by popular demand, Blake Griffin will bring us the latest from Interact Analysis. Be prepared for their cutting-edge industry-driven intelligence reporting on market-moving technologies. His talk will bring you information on the gear drive markets they are watching, and he will also touch on emerging markets like technology used to automate factory production and more.
12:45pm – 1:45pm
Lunch and Networking
1:45pm – 2:00pm
Meet the Sponsors
2:00pm – 3:00pm
CASE STUDY: Automation Readiness Assessment
David Regan & Ryan Roberson
Automation is one of the top-of-mind subject matters for gear industry executives. How do you automate both traditional and high-mix operations once thought unfeasible?
READY Robotics has developed a process they call, Automation Readiness Assessment. A team of experts is brought into a facility to evaluate automation readiness on several levels. The assessment helps a company in seeing where automation is most feasible, provides a standardized methodology for prioritizing opportunities, and includes a roadmap for deploying automation across one’s business.
In coordination with the AGMA Robotics Committee, READY Robotics conducted an assessment for Master Power Transmission (MPT) in 2023. Representatives from both companies will discuss the process and provide information to help you de-risk your automation decisions.
3:30pm
Depart for Brelie Gear Tour
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Brelie Gear Tour
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Networking Reception and Dinner – Brew City Bash
Get ready for a networking reception like no other at the iconic Sprecher Brewing Co. in the heart of Milwaukee, also known as Brew City. Join us for an evening of professional connections and unforgettable experiences. Sprecher Brewing Co is opening its doors for an exclusive brewery tour. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process and learn about the art of crafting delicious beverages, followed by some time to enjoy one or two with dinner. This will be the perfect opportunity to connect and build relationships while enjoying craft beers and sodas in a city known for quality brewing.
9:00am – 9:45am
Breakfast on your own.
10:00am – 12:00pm
Komatsu Tour – Please review their visitor’s guide.
12:00pm
Event concludes, return transportation to hotel or airport.
Speakers
- Andrew Crowe
- Blake Griffin
- David Regan
- Ryan Roberson
Andrew Crowe
Founder, The New American Manufacturing Renaissance
From teenage father and two-time felon to college graduate, Drew realized the potential of a career path in the manufacturing industry. To support this vital work has taken a multi-faceted approach. In 2022, he embarked on the American Manufacturing Renaissance Tour across the US. He is the former lead professor at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, MO, where he taught Advanced Manufacturing Technology, and is now developing a digital curriculum to spread these skills to a global audience.
He is also the co-host of TV’s “Project MFG,” an exciting program for students and schools across the US to advance skilled trades through world-class competitions.
Drew’s impressive resume includes addressing the White House and Pentagon on industrial policy, a feature in Forbes Magazine in April 2022, and being voted Aerospace & Aviation Man of the Year twice. Above all, he is well-positioned to lead minds and movers on the front lines in the critical battle to close the workforce and skills gap in manufacturing, making him a highly sought-after speaker and consultant in the field by teaching industry leaders how to reach, hire, and retain the next generation of manufacturing!
David A. Regan
Global Director of Enterprise Sales, READY Robotics
David Regan is currently Global Director of Enterprise Sales for READY Robotics. READY Robotics developed ForgeOS 5 as the first universal operating system for physical automation that enables the control of any robot or any device through a standardized set of APIs. It provides the toolkit for building software and products for the Robot Age. The company has raised $41.5M in funding and recently partnered with NVIDIA and Rockwell Automation.
Prior to joining the READY Robotics team, Mr. Regan managed strategic global accounts at FORT Robotics in the role of Global Strategic Accounts Executive. FORT Robotics, Inc. provides solutions for machines in a variety of industries, including warehousing, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, turf care and last mile delivery, and is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His accounts at FORT Robotics included multiple Fortune 100 companies and the top players in the robotics and automation space. Mr. Regan was named FORT’s Top Revenue Producer Worldwide for 2021.
Prior to joining FORT Robotics, Mr. Regan held the title of U.S. Regional Sales Manager at Mobileye – An Intel Company (09/2017-03/2021). Mobileye is the global leader in the development of computer vision and machine learning, data analysis, localization and mapping for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving technologies. Mr. Regan was named Intel’s Intelligent Mobility Solutions Division Mobileye Employee of the Year for North America in 2020.
Previous to Mobileye. Mr. Regan served as Regional Sales Director at Routeware, Inc. Routeware, Inc. provides SmartTruck technology for private and public waste haulers, and is based in Portland, Oregon.
Prior to his return to Corporate America in 2014, Mr. Regan was deeply involved in the music industry where he managed international touring bands like Perpetual Groove, Crowfield, Fox Street All-Stars, Whitewater Ramble, Atlas Road Crew The Daly Planet, The Lowcountry Boil Bluegrass Band and many others. Mr. Regan also served in the role of co-manager for Tim Reynolds & TR3 (Tim Reynolds of the Dave Matthews Band).
He currently resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife Katherine, daughter Emmerson, his mischievous Catahoula/Shepherd mix Murphy Dog and the latest addition to the family – their cat Jude Paw.
Ryan Roberson
President & COO, Master Power Transmission, Inc.
Ryan Roberson has extensive work experience in the manufacturing industry. Ryan started their career at Rockwell Automation in 2001 as a Plant Manager, where they were responsible for the manufacturing of gearing, bearing, and PT drives products. During their time at Rockwell Automation, Ryan successfully consolidated two manufacturing facilities and modernized the new facility. In 2007, they joined Baldor Electric as a Plant Manager and held this position until 2010. Since 2010, Ryan has been with Master Power Transmission, Inc., first serving as the VP of Manufacturing before being promoted to President and COO in August 2020.
Ryan Roberson earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University between 1987 and 1992. Ryan then pursued further education and obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Finance/Operations from Indiana University – Kelley School of Business between 1996 and 1999.
Blake Griffin
Research Manager, Interact Analysis
Blake Griffin is a Research Manager with Interact Analysis where he has worked since its founding. During this time, he has produced numerous market reports on industrial automation markets. Blake’s current areas of focus include Motor & Drive related markets. Blake is constantly hosting conversations with manufacturing stakeholders to keep an up-to-date view on how the sector is behaving. He has presented and keynoted at numerous conferences to help the industry prepare for what is coming.
SPONSORS
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Become an SNL Forum Sponsor!
Sponsorship opportunities have been split into four packages:
- Platinum
- Gold
- Silver
- Bronze
Sponsorship opportunities are available here. If you have any questions regarding sponsoring the SNL Forum, email lewis@agma.org.
AGMA & ABMA’s On-Site Safety Protocols for COVID-19
COVID-19 On-Site Safety
- Wearing masks indoors when not eating or drinking is recommended, but not required.
- Vaccination or negative COVID test within 72 hours is recommended, but not required.
- Every effort is being made to allow for social distancing during the conference. Please follow the guidance on-site.
- Hand sanitizer and masks will be provided on-site. Frequent hand washing on site is recommended.
- Frequent cleaning and food safety measures are in place at the venue.
- If you experience any COVID-19 symptoms or had recent exposure to COVID-19 prior to the start of the event, please do not attend.
- AGMA will make COVID-19 Rapid Tests available on-site should you experience symptoms while the event is taking place.
If you have any questions regarding these protocols, please email lewis@agma.org.
Policies
Please view our cancellation policy.
Please view our code of conduct.