Start the day by connecting with peers and industry professionals while enjoying a light breakfast. A great opportunity to foster relationships before the event kicks off.

The EMS Steering Committee Chair will share key objectives of the summit and what participants can expect throughout the day, setting the stage for insightful discussions. Get to know who is in the room.

Speaker: Allison Budvarson, Out of the Box Manufacturing  

In EMS, everyone can buy the same machines and parts—your differentiator is your people. Connecting leaders and discussing practical application, this conversation will be grounded in real EMS realities—margin pressure, supply chain variability, regulatory/environmental demands, demand volatility—and AI’s accelerating impact on work. Key takeaways will be an understanding of what AI can and can’t do for EMS and its implication for operators vs. technicians/engineers and how to reset “human leadership” for technical teams. 

Speaker: Audrey McGuckin, McGuckin Group

Hear real-world use cases and scenarios for AI and automation to optimize operations, improve quality, and drive innovation across the manufacturing lifecycle.

Panelists:

• Cristobal Zatarain, Director of Industry Strategy, Arch Systems
• Feng Xue, Chief Architect for Supply Chain Quality System & i4.0 Solutions, IBM

Moderator: Raj Vora, Manufacturing Engineer, VAS Engineering Inc.

In the current electronics manufacturing landscape, trust is a deliverable. This session explores how manufacturers can earn and sustain customer confidence through proactive communication, clear data, and intentional relationship management. From supply chain delays to process breakdowns, customer experience expert Monica Michalski of The Petrova Experience unpacks how transparency and empathy turn friction into loyalty. And why trust is the most valuable component you will ever ship. 

Speaker: Liliana Petrova, CCXP, The Petrova Experience

A peer-led discussion on how EMS providers can attract and win new customers by aligning capabilities, data, and communication with what OEMs actually value when selecting manufacturing partners.

This session brings together a panel of EMS leaders from across the globe to discuss how targeted government engagement can catalyze electronics industry growth. Topics include industrial policy best practices (incentives, grants, tax, and procurement), trade and tariff alignment, talent and workforce pipelines, standards and certification harmonization, and resilient supply chain strategies across regions. 

Panelist TBD

Learn findings from the most recent research and hear about current opportunities for the EMS sector. 

Speaker: Thiago Guimares, Global Electronics Association

Joining in on-the-spot EMS research, providing real-time data on key industry trends and their implications for business strategy.

This talk explores the most common data-exchange friction points between EMS providers and their customers, what EMS teams should realistically expect, and practical ways to improve data quality, alignment, and flow across the entire manufacturing relationship.

Speaker: Tim Burke, CTO, Arch Systems

Hear from a peer firsthand about building apprenticeship and internal education programs—what works, what doesn’t, and how these efforts are strengthening their teams from the inside out.

Speaker: Stephanie Austin, Director of Marketing, Zentech

A collaborative, idea-sharing session where participants exchange innovative solutions and practical strategies to address current challenges in the EMS sector. Choose a specific topic like quoting processes or change management or keep the discussion open and share from all areas of the business. You drive the discussion.  

EMS Steering Committee Chair will provide some parting thoughts. Take a minute to process new ideas or takeaways before heading to dinner.

Speaker: Allison Budvarson, Out of the Box Manufacturing

Unwind and continue building relationships in a relaxed, informal setting over a delicious dinner. This is an excellent opportunity to network in a more personal environment.