MI2 Is Piloting Something New: The Innovation Campaign

Kentucky's metals manufacturers are running complex operations. The challenges are real. From workforce, energy costs and logistics, to technology adoption, sustainability and funding. Finding the right partners to address those challenges takes time that most operations leaders simply don't have.

MI2 is designed to close exactly that kind of gap. And this spring, we're piloting a new format to do it.

Introducing the MI2 Innovation Campaign

The MI2 Innovation Campaign is a focused, three-day event connecting Kentucky metals manufacturers with curated value providers — organizations and companies offering solutions directly relevant to how metals operations run, grow, and compete.

MI2 will coordinate logistics and manage the structure to ensure a professional, time-efficient experience for manufacturers and providers alike. The format is built around early exposure. This event is to provide an opportunity to see what's possible, ask questions, and identify potential fit through collaboration.

The goal is simply informed connection: putting the right solutions in front of the right people, in a format that respects everyone's time.

What Manufacturers Can Expect to Explore

The Innovation Campaign offers early exposure to solution providers across a range of areas that matter to metals manufacturers right now. The solutions confirmed for the tour are as follows:

• UnDesked: AI Powered Translation - Built for the Factory Floor
• Visia: Physical Intelligence for Industrial Operations
• Mural Industrial: Hands-on, Tech Enabled Scalable Workforce Development
• Critical Environmental Solutions: Clean Technology Efficiency and Sustainability
• U of L Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center: Confidential, Non-Regulatory Energy and Sustainability Support
• Keller Schroeder: Alleviate challenges, achieve goals, and increase productivity
• Vid Monster:  Elevated Branding for the KY Metals Ecosystem
• Agile Consulting: Innovative, personalized and comprehensive sales and use tax solutions
• Harnage IR:  NFPA 70B-aligned support and specialized infrared services
• Essential Innovations: Technology to help employers unlock tax and training credits for workforce development.
• Consolidated Electrical Distributors: Infrastructure, Technology, Energy, and Workforce solutions.

With more solutions set to confirm, the breadth of topics is intentional. MI2's role in the Kentucky metals ecosystem spans workforce, energy, recycling, grants, and industry branding, and this event reflects that scope. Whether you are a plant manager looking at technology upgrades, an HR leader working on development programs, or an executive evaluating funding options for a capital project, there will be relevant conversations available to you.

Why MI2 Is Piloting This Program

MI2 exists to close the gaps that no single company, agency, or association can close alone. One of the most persistent gaps in the metals ecosystem is simply awareness. Manufacturers don't always know what solutions exist, and solution providers don't always know how to reach the right operations with the right message.

The Innovation Campaign is designed to solve both problems at once: giving manufacturers curated, curated access to a range of solutions, and giving providers meaningful, structured exposure to the Kentucky metals community they want to serve.

This is a pilot program, which means we are building it carefully, learning from the experience, and shaping it based on what works. Getting the right participants in the room from the start matters.

Interested? Here's What to Do Next

If you are a metals manufacturer interested in participating — or simply want to learn more before deciding — we invite you to submit an interest form. Completing the form requires no commitment. It simply signals your interest and helps MI2 plan the program structure.

The deadline to submit the interest form is April 10th, 2026.

Submit your interest form:

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