Inside the 2025 Kentucky Industry Conference Agenda

The 2025 Kentucky Industry Conference (KYIC) is where leaders across metals, manufacturing, energy, innovation, education, and government come together. This year’s agenda is strategically designed to spark collaboration and action across every corner of Kentucky’s industrial ecosystem.

Here’s a spotlight on a few featured sessions a the conference and why they matter.

Talent Pathways Into Manufacturing

Speakers: Jessie Schook, Kenneth Calloway, Debbie West, Lauren Wood

Building a strong manufacturing workforce starts long before the job posting and this breakout digs into how Kentucky can create clear, connected career pathways from classroom to career. With leaders representing education, industry, and workforce development, this conversation will explore what’s working, what’s next, and how communities can better prepare the next generation of makers and innovators.

MI2 Innovation Search: Top Industry Solutions

Featuring: CES, VISIA, VALIS, Kentucky Thermal Institute

Innovation isn’t just about ideas, it’s about solving real-world problems. These top “Solution Track” finalists in the Metals Innovation Initiative’s InnoSearch competition will showcase cutting-edge technologies designed to advance safety, sustainability, and efficiency in manufacturing.

MI2 Innovation Search: Top Industry Problems

Featuring: Logan Aluminum, Nucor, Century Aluminum Company, Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Here’s the other side of innovation: the industry-driven challenges that need fresh thinking. This session gives Kentucky’s biggest manufacturers the mic to share real operational, supply chain, and sustainability problems, opening the door for entrepreneurs, researchers, and startups to step in with new solutions. It’s collaboration in motion, designed to connect industry need with innovation capacity.

Telling the Manufacturing Story

Speakers: Nora Bryant, Kim Bentley, Sam Kirby, Scottie Ellis

Manufacturing doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves and this panel is discussing that. Leaders in communications, storytelling, and media will unpack why how we talk about manufacturing matters just as much as what we make. From digital strategy to community pride, expect a discussion on how authentic storytelling can attract talent, build trust, and strengthen Kentucky’s identity as an innovation state.

The Governor’s Cabinet Secretaries: Public + Private Collaboration for Manufacturing Innovation

Featuring: Sec. Jeff Noel (KY Cabinet for Economic Development), Sec. Jamie Link (KY Education & Labor), Sec. Rebecca Goodman (KY Energy & Environment), and Mike Buckentin (Metals Innovation Initiative)

Three of Kentucky’s state leaders join MI2’s CEO to discuss how public policy, workforce strategy, and environmental innovation align to support manufacturers. This closing general session will spotlight how Kentucky’s “Team Kentucky” approach is driving real momentum, from talent pipelines to clean-energy investment to advanced materials.

K-12 Manufacturing Talent Pathways

Speakers: Aseia Colles, Heather Yocum, Jeremy Langston, Tara Coomes

The future workforce is already sitting in Kentucky classrooms. This session brings together K-12 and technical education experts who are building programs that get students excited about manufacturing careers early, through hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and dual-credit opportunities. It’s a conversation every community needs to hear as we work to close the talent gap.

Addressing Metals Recycling as Industry Feedstock

Speakers: Phil Thompson, Laura Haury, Tom Emmerich, Brian Osterman, Jessica Alexanderson, Subodh Das, Andrew Hyde

Sustainability meets supply chain strategy in this breakout. Kentucky is home to a thriving metals sector, and this session will explore how recycled materials can serve as high-quality feedstock for advanced manufacturing. Expect a candid conversation on circular economy models, global competitiveness, and the business case for smarter resource use.

Fireside Chat - Why We Need to Build a Bigger American Arsenal

Monday night, our board member and CEO of North American Stainless, Clive Grannum, is participating in the KYIC Fireside Chat, Why We Need to Build A Bigger American Arsenal. We can't wait to listen in on this panel and welcome everyone to the unofficial start of our conference this year.

Manufacturing Industry and Energy Generation Collaborative Innovation Models

Check out MI2's member Trace Die Cast on this panel on Tuesday in meeting room two. Trace Die Cast's Kent Guthrie, along with Eric Goff (Goff Policy), Eric DeLodder (Trane) and Paige Van Zandt-Moody (Schneider Electric) will participate in a collaborative panel discussion.

This year’s programming represents what makes Kentucky’s manufacturing community so strong, collaboration, curiosity, and a willingness to tackle hard problems together. Join us October 27–29, 2025 at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky. Register today!

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