The Association of Manufacturers Bay Area (AMBayArea) hosted the AMBayArea Summit 2024 at Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland on Tuesday, April 23, from 1 to 7 p.m.

The 5th annual event brought together manufacturing executives, supply chain members, and subject matter experts, as well as valued partners from education and government. Attendees learned from industry experts and networked with fellow industry leaders at the premier event for Bay Area manufacturers.

“AMBayArea is dedicated to supporting Bay Area manufacturers,” said Krishna Rajagopal, Chair for the AMBayArea Board of Directors. “We are committed to providing events and thought leadership to ensure local manufacturing continues to thrive.”

The Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence (Manex) returned as the Presenting Sponsor of the event.

“We are proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of the AMBayArea Summit 2024,” said Gene Russell, President and CEO of Manex. “As the local Manufacturing Resource Center (MEP), we work with manufacturers on the daily basis and know the challenges they face. We will continue to support Bay Area manufacturers by working alongside them in our practice, and by partnering with valuable organizations like AMBayArea.”

The event opened with the keynote Demystifying AI for SMB Manufacturers: A Roadmap for Tactical and Strategic Transformation presented by Ryan Kelly of The Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT).

Attendees then chose from 10 engaging breakout sessions including Productivity and Performance Through Improved People Practices, Reduce Waste and Increase Profits With Lean Manufacturing, From Hollywood To Manufacturing: How to Inspire the Next Generation, Why Employing High School Students Can Change Your Workforce and Culture for the Better, How Bay Area Manufacturers Can Leverage a National Laboratory to Scale Up, Establishing a Framework for Cybersecurity Collaboration Among Bay Area Manufacturers, Practical Strategies for Carbon Reduction Within Manufacturing, Logistics Efficiency: How to Keep Shipping Costs Down to Maximize Profit, FDA 101: An Overview & Update on FDA Practices, and FDA Presents: Food Safety for Manufacturers.

The event also featured the inaugural AMBayArea MFG Awards, which recognized local manufacturers for their accomplishments, hard work, ingenuity, and passion for manufacturing. AMBayArea presented awards for Manufacturer of the Year to DOER Marine in the category of small manufacturer, Emerald Packaging in the category of medium manufacturer, and Penumbra, Inc. in the category of large manufacturer. Casa Sanchez Foods was recognized as AMBayArea Member of the Year. The one-of-a-kind awards, which were designed and manufactured by AMBayArea Board Member Mark Martin with the suppport of Laney College, were presented by Award Sponsors Bank of America, Sensiba, and the Workforce Development Boards of Alameda, Contra Costa, Oakland, and Richmond.

The awards ceremony and event were emceed by Christine Holly Ngo, AMBayArea Board Member and VP of Operations and Business Development for Silicon Valley Elite Manufacturing. Ngo is also the host of the podcast Making Things Fun, Cool & Sexy which promotes American manufacturers.

The Summit concluded with a happy hour hosted by Platinum Sponsor Fremont Bank from 5:30 to 7 p.m. allowing attendees the chance to re-connect with peers and make new connections, as well as visit exhibitor booths.

In addition to Presenting Sponsor Manex, Platinum Sponsor Fremont Bank, and Award Sponsors Bank of America, Sensiba, and the Workforce Development Boards, the AMBayArea Summit 2024 was made possible by Exhibit Sponsors Shiproad SFO, JP Morgan Chase, and ZAG Technical Services, Inc.; Non-Profit Sponsors Bay Area Community Colleges, Bay Area LEEDS, California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA), Diablo Valley College,  Employment Training Panel (ETP), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and TMC Financing; and Partner Sponsors ALOM, Beneficial State Bank, California Bank of Commerce, East Bay EDA, Narish International, RACO, Silicon Valley Elite Manufacturing, and The Association for Manufacturing Technology.