Women in Manufacturing Summit Moved Online Due to Coronavirus Concerns
“The health and safety of our member community is our top priority,” says WiM President Allison Grealis.
The Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM) will hold its 10th annual summit September 28 through October 1, 2020, in a new virtual format. The virtual conference replaces the in-person event initially scheduled for the same dates in Cleveland, Ohio, home to WiM and the site of the organization’s first annual conference. Registration is available here.
“Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to transition our 2020 SUMMIT to an entirely virtual conference,” says WiM President Allison Grealis. “The health and safety of our member community is our top priority and we look forward to delivering a successful and engaging experience in this new format that encourages networking and education.”
Summit organizers are currently working to transition the agenda, which includes more than 35 hours of content delivered live and on demand. The program includes professional development sessions, roundtable discussions, keynotes, virtual manufacturing facility tours, and social and networking events.
“The response from planned summit speakers and sponsors to the virtual conference has been very positive,” Ms. Grealis continues. “We are all confident that we can provide the same great content, the same valuable connections and the same opportunities to learn from incredible industry leaders in a setting that ensures safety and accessibility for everyone.”
The 2020 Women in Manufacturing Summit also will launch the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame, designed to celebrate leading women in the manufacturing industry and benefit the association’s education foundation. During the event, WiM will induct its inaugural class during a virtual awards ceremony October 1.
“These trailblazing women have paved the way for a diverse manufacturing sector that offers rewarding careers for everyone,” says WiM 2020 Board Chair Lynn Kier, who is also vice president of corporate communications for Diebold Nixdorf. “As the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, manufacturing in this country has never been more important. These women leaders helped to build the strength of our industry, and we continue to build on their work today.”
