2026 Event Recap

Two Days.
Real Progress.

Manufacturing, technology, and workforce leaders across the state of Wisconsin came together to solve real problems—not just talk about them. Here’s what we built, learned, and started.

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WISCONSIN DRIVES MANUFACTURING RETURNS IN 2028. DETAILS COMING SOON.

Day 1 Recap

Innovation Showcase

Emerging technologies, bold ideas, and new approaches took center stage.

Day 1 brought together innovators, startups, and industry leaders to share what’s next — and how it’s already being applied. From product demonstrations to pitch-style sessions, attendees saw firsthand how innovation is translating into real-world impact. Watch the recap for a look inside the showcase.

Day 2 Recap

The
Summit

Peers across companies of all sizes came together to pressure-test strategies and leave with actionable next steps.

Day 2 delivered structured, story-driven tracks built around the challenges manufacturers face today. Industry voices led keynotes, panels, and case-based discussions that reflected the realities of the floor and the boardroom alike. Catch the highlights in the recap video.

The Impact
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Opportunities
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Impact STories

WDM's Early Impact

What happens after the connections are made at WDM? For the HEART Initiative at UW-Madison, it meant turning summit conversations into a statewide roadshow, new industry partnerships, and a playbook to help manufacturers integrate emerging tech with their workforce.

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Upcoming
Events

WDMXMADISON

October 6, 2026 | Madison, WI
Hosted in partnership with UWEBC WDMA~Madison

WDM×Madison is the first independently organized, regional Wisconsin Drives Manufacturing event — the WDM stage brought to a single day inside the UWEBC Annual Conference, and built for the people who run Wisconsin’s factories and engineering organizations.

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Wisconsin Biohealth Summit

October 21-22, 2026 | Milwaukee, WI

Join scientists, clinicians, innovators, investors, and industry leaders for a 1.5-day working summit built to move breakthroughs out of the lab and into real patient impact. Built by the biohealth ecosystem, for the biohealth ecosystem, this is where discovery meets commercialization and ideas become outcomes.

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Manufacturing First Expo & Conference

October 28, 2026 | Green Bay, WI

One day. Thousands of connections. Real takeaways for Wisconsin manufacturers. Manufacturing First brings the manufacturing community together—executives and engineers, operations, safety, HR, and emerging talent—for a full day built around practical, actionable insight.

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Women in Manufacturing - WIM North

November 2, 2026 | Milwaukee, WI

WIM North is a regional conference for manufacturing professionals navigating their careers—whether in production, the C-suite, or anywhere in between. Produced by the Women in Manufacturing Association, this event brings together attendees across the northern U.S. region for unique, interactive access to industry content from regional thought leaders.

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Food and Beverage Wisconsin Member Conference (FaB)

2027 Details to Come

The FaB Wisconsin Annual Conference brings together professionals from across Wisconsin’s food and beverage industry to connect, learn, and strengthen the relationships that help the industry thrive. Built for manufacturers, suppliers, service providers, educators, and industry partners, this is where you engage with peers, hear from industry leaders, explore emerging trends, and build the connections that move your business forward.

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