Governor keynoting annual manufacturing summit
With Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant offering the keynote address, manufacturing, logistics and transportation leaders will "Focus on the Future" at the fifth annual Manufacturing Summit.
The Wednesday [March 18] program, held by Mississippi State University and American Home Furnishings Alliance, will be held on campus at the Franklin Center, 8 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Morning sessions will focus on the future of manufacturing on global, national and regional scales, with afternoon presentations on the future of intermodal transportation and manufacturing logistics.
For the first time, participants will engage in an interactive logistics optimization problem, said Bill Martin, director of MSU's Franklin Furniture Institute.
Registration is $99 and may be completed at www.ffi.msstate.edu/summit.asp.
Featured speaker Hal Sirkin, senior partner and managing director at Boston Consulting Group in Chicago, will discuss CEO research-based predictions for the future of manufacturing, Martin said.
Also, former MSU President Malcolm A. Portera will talk about regional manufacturing opportunities and what he sees as important issues for manufacturers in the Magnolia State.
"Portera has supported companies interested in locating operations in Mississippi and Alabama," Martin said. "He knows what kinds of resources companies are looking for in order to help the state create more industry and locate more jobs statewide."
Other speakers include:
-- Chad Miller, director of the Center for Logistics, Trade and Transportation at University of Southern Mississippi, to moderate a panel discussion on new logistics strategies and intermodal transportation. Panelists will include Bryan Hunt, Seacor AMH (America's Marine Highway), LLC; Steve Puryear, MSU Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems Extension; and Dan Pallme, Intermodal Freight Transportation Institute at the University of Memphis.
-- Bill Perdue, vice president of regulatory affairs at American Home Furnishings Alliance, to present the latest information on regulatory restrictions.
-- Steve Puryear, MSU Center for Advance Vehicular Systems Extension, to speak on highway transportation logistics facing the furniture and home furnishings value chains.
-- David Shaw, MSU vice president for research and economic development, to discuss how the university develops and supports job growth in the manufacturing industry.
"These experts will offer new knowledge at a good educational and informational summit," Martin said. "The whole summit is about gaining knowledge and planning for the future."
For more information, contact Martin at w.martin@msstate.edu.
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Leah Barbour | Public Affairs
