The AMBayArea Fall Forum 2025 was held on Thursday, September 4 from 3 to 6 p.m. at TRUMPF in Santa Clara. 

The event featured the panel discussion Powering Growth: Overcoming Infrastructure Challenges for Bay Area Manufacturers. Panelists included Toni Gomez, Business Development Specialist for California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz); Stephen Baiter, Executive Director of East Bay Economic Development Alliance; and Madeline Silva, Senior Director for Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The panel was moderated by Christine Holly Ngo, who is the host of the Making Things Fun, Cool & Sexy Podcast, as well as an AMBayArea Board Member and the Vice President of Operations & Business Development for Silicon Valley Elite Manufacturing, Inc. 

The discussion and audience Q & A tackled some of the key infrastructure challenges facing Bay Area manufacturers and highlighted innovative solutions already making an impact, including:

✅ Lessons from successful upzoning efforts in other communities
✅ Shifting from reactive fixes to proactive long-term planning
✅ Leveraging government programs designed to support manufacturers
✅ Creative strategies to sustain the loyalty of both businesses and employees committed to remaining in the Bay Area, despite rising costs

It was an insightful conversation that underscored both the challenges and the opportunities ahead for our region’s manufacturing community, and is only the beginning of an ongoing conversation that AMBayArea plans to continue with partner organizations like East Bay Economic Development Alliance and EASTBAYWorks.

Following the session, attendees enjoyed tours of the TRUMPF Technology Center and networked with fellow manufacturing executives during happy hour.

The event was made possible by sponsor Avidbank and host TRUMPF.

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