Executive Summits · by the Future of Manufacturing Alliance
Quality & Inspection Summit for Manufacturing Plants
Meet the plant leaders who hear about defects from their customers.
New category for 2027. Same plant leaders who came to 35 summits.
Each summit is capped at 20 sponsors. Talk to Joe before it fills.
Who’s coming so far
21 manufacturers have confirmed they will send people. The target is 100+ plant leaders in the room by each summit.
- Honda
- GE Aerospace
- General Motors
- Stellantis / Jeep
- Procter & Gamble
- Cleveland-Cliffs
- Whirlpool
- Goodyear Tire & Rubber
- Parker Hannifin
- Swagelok
- Crown Equipment
- Lincoln Electric
- Sherwin-Williams
- + 8 very large manufacturers, not named at their request
Two days with quality, plant and manufacturing engineering leaders from Midwest manufacturers working to catch defects at the line, not at the customer. Pre-scheduled 1-on-1 meetings. No expo hall.
The people who sign the PO for quality projects.
Invited from plants across Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Every delegate is screened by title and plant.
1,470plant leaders from 495 manufacturers have come to past FMA summits.1,033 of them pick the vendor, own the budget or sign off.
Who decides a plant purchase, and how many came
- Step 1287Find the problem, write the specEnergy Engineer, Facilities Engineer, Environmental Engineer
- Step 2560Pick the vendorFacilities Manager, Environmental Manager, Energy Manager
- Step 3337Own the budgetDirector of Engineering, Director of Operations, Director of Manufacturing
- Step 4136Sign offPlant Manager, General Manager, President
Who we invite to this summit
Each title, and what that person owns.
- Quality DirectorOwns scrap and escapes
- Plant ManagerCustomer complaints land here
- Manufacturing EngineerDesigns the inspection step
- Metrology LeadGauges, CMMs, scanners
- Supplier Quality EngineerIncoming parts
Where past delegates worked
Plant leaders at past FMA summits, by industry.
Industries we are inviting to this summit: Automotive and parts (PPAP, IATF 16949) · Aerospace and defense (first-article, AS9100) · Medical devices (FDA, traceability) · Food and beverage (foreign material, labels) · Plastics and metal parts (dimensions, surface defects).
Counts are past FMA delegates, each counted once. They show who this audience is; they are not 2027 attendees.
Past speakers and delegates, by industry
Food and beverage
12 speakers · 161 delegates
Automotive
10 speakers · 192 delegates
Machinery, equipment and electronics
7 speakers · 209 delegates
Chemicals, plastics and rubber
6 speakers · 120 delegates
Steel and metals
2 speakers · 82 delegates
Aerospace, pharma, building and consumer products
29 speakers · 667 delegates
They came back.
Past FMA sponsors, and how many summits each one sponsored, from the printed programs.
- 18US LED18 summits
- 17Kaeser Compressors17 summits
- 14Covanta14 summits
- 14Solution Dynamics14 summits
- 10Advanced Power Technologies10 summits
- 8Smardt Chiller Group8 summits
- 7BASF7 summits
- 7EQUIDEX Energy7 summits
- 7LG Electronics7 summits
- 6AgriPower6 summits
- 6Greenstar Recycling6 summits
- 6Schneider Electric6 summits
See the other 102 companies that sponsored two or more FMA summits
3M 2 · Acuity Brands 4 · Advanced Green Technologies 3 · Advantix Systems 8 · AERCO International 5 · Air Balance 2 · AmbiRad 3 · Ameresco 2 · Armstrong Fluid Technology 5 · Badger Meter 2 · Be Power Tech 2 · Bio-Reaction Industries 2 · BLUEFIN 4 · Bosch Thermotechnology 2 · Burns & McDonnell Engineering 3 · Camfil 2 · Capstone Turbine 2 · Chelsea Group 2 · Cleaver-Brooks 4 · ConDex Energy 2 · Constellation Energy 5 · Control Instruments 2 · CopperTree Analytics 3 · Cushman & Wakefield 2 · Cypress Envirosystems 5 · Doosan Fuel Cell America 3 · DTE Energy Services 2 · Dyson 4 · Eaton 3 · EcoSafe Zero Waste 2 · EDF Renewable Energy 2 · Edison Energy 2 · Emerson Climate Technologies 2 · Energy Management Systems 4 · Energy Source 2 · EnerNOC 2 · Enertech Global 2 · EnterSolar 2 · Environmental Resources Management 2 · ERS International 3 · ETwater Systems 2 · Every Watt Matters 2 · Eye Lighting International 3 · Facility Solutions Group 2 · FacilityConneX 2 · Fellon-McCord & Associates 3 · GDF SUEZ Energy NA 2 · GE Distributed Power 2 · GE Solar 2 · Gexpro 3 · GI Energy 2 · Green Ballast 2 · Greenworks Energy Solutions 3 · Harris Lighting 2 · Heritage Interactive Services 2 · Hurst Boiler & Welding Co. 2 · IBM 4 · ICETEC Energy Services 2 · ICONICS 3 · Invensys Operations Management 2 · JLL 4 · Jorgensen Facilities Services 5 · K+S Services 2 · KDC Solar 2 · KERAMIDA 2 · Knauf Insulation 2 · KVAR Energy Savings 3 · LEDtronics 2 · Lutron Electronics Co. 3 · MaxLite 2 · MCEnergy 2 · MEP Associates 2 · MPC Energy 5 · Munters 2 · Newton Distributing Company 2 · Nortec 3 · North America Power Partners 2 · North American Roofing 2 · OAKLEAF 4 · Optimum Energy 2 · Orion Energy Systems 2 · OSRAM SYLVANIA 5 · Pfister Energy 2 · PowerSecure 5 · Rinnai America 2 · Rockwell Automation 2 · ROXUL 2 · Rubicon Global 2 · SAP America 2 · Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure 5 · Sloan 2 · Solar UV Solutions 3 · Solatube International 3 · Steril-Aire 2 · Synergy Investment 6 · The Dow Chemical Company 2 · Thermal Energy International 3 · Trane 2 · Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance 2 · Viridity Energy 2 · Wahaso - Water Harvesting Solutions 2 · Zurn Industries 2
In writing, from past delegates.
Their words, not ours.
“Every year we are able to find new partners to develop breakthrough projects”
Breitner MarczewskiDirector of Energy Engineering, General MotorsRead the whole quote
“FMA Summit has been a very friendly business event for General Motors. Every year we are able to find new partners to develop breakthrough projects”
“We will be partnering with a couple of the presenters at the Summit”
Read the whole quote
“…The expertise represented at this Summit (solar, lighting, etc.) was impressive and very informative. We will be partnering with a couple of the presenters at the Summit…”
Scott CullenAmericas Environmental Compliance Manager, Bostik“…full of opportunities to network with vendors I was interested in”
Read the whole quote
“I found the experience well organized and full of opportunities to network with vendors I was interested in.”
Warren VoughtCorporate Facilities Manager, Archer Daniels Midland“Excellent set of presenters on a wide range of subjects, lots of new and forward thinking. Great networking with small groups- startup dinners and circulation times.”
John DeVinneySenior Project Manager, Perdue FarmsSee 8 moreShow fewer
“I’ve been to a lot of conferences and I found the FMA sessions to be excellent, engaging and interesting. I think it had some of the best speakers I’ve ever seen in a conference I’ve been to. I certainly liked the format, the 20 minutes sessions, so you can get the top level ideas or thoughts without having to hear in infinite detail. The format is well structured, the speakers were really, really good and I would highly recommend this conference to anybody in this field.”
Brendan SullivanExecutive Director, Facilities, Estée Lauder“The Summit was truly ‘eye-opening’. I got an excellent sense of momentum building for companies and institutions making significant changes for the future. Woe betide those organizations who turn a blind eye to the need and benefits of changing how they manage and operate their facilities.”
Chris WendtFacilities Manager, Standard Motor Products, Inc.“As a global leader, it’s extremely important for me to stay current on technological advances. The FMA Summit brought current advances and best practices to me in an efficient 1.5 day event”
Maria WatsonSr. Manager Global Energy, Pall Corporation“The FMA Energy and Sustainability Summit provides valuable insight into where leaders in various industries are finding success in systems and processes that drive overall efficiencies and organizational sustainment.”
Brian SkrobarcekCorporate Director of Environmental Affairs, StandardAero“First time here, was impressed by many of the presenters and the issues they brought up and their solutions.”
Steven JonesElectrical Engineer, ITW Hi-Cone“First time Summit attendee. Great introduction to a number of topics important to Facility Managers of the Future.”
Alec BartolaiSustainability Program Manager, Sargento Foods, Inc.“I feel that a Summit like this adds to the tools needed to elevate my abilities and my company, to enable a better building/company.”
Reed GibsonFacilities Manager, Pall Corporation“I very much enjoyed participating in the summit…”
Kurtis JetselDirector - Facilities/ESH, Lockheed MartinWhat sponsors closed, and what buyers said.
Past sponsors on the business that came from an FMA introduction, and past buyers on the vendors they met there.
Set up Wednesday. Two full days of meetings. Home Friday afternoon.
Same schedule in Columbus and Detroit.
- Wednesday afternoonSponsors set up their exhibits. Everyone checks in.
- ThursdayThe full day: plant case studies, booked 1-on-1s, the reception and dinner.
- FridayMorning case studies, more 1-on-1s, closing lunch. On the road by mid-afternoon.
The hour-by-hour plan and the venues
| Time | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast at your company table | Breakfast at your company table | |
| 8:00–10:00 AM | Plant case studies | Plant case studies | |
| 10:00 AM | Coffee and shop talk in the exhibit room | Pre-booked 20-minute 1-on-1s at your table | |
| 11:00 AM | Plant case studies | Plant case studies | |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch with your booked 1-on-1 meetings | Closing lunch with your booked 1-on-1 meetings | |
| 1:00 PM | Plant case studies | Plant case studies, then head home | |
| 2:00 PM | Sponsor setup and check-in | Pre-booked 20-minute 1-on-1s at your table | |
| 3:00 PM | Sponsor setup and check-in | Coffee and shop talk in the exhibit room | |
| 3:30 PM | Sponsor setup and check-in | Plant case studies | |
| 5:00–7:00 PM | Sponsor setup and check-in | Reception and dinner, with more 1-on-1s |
The full package's 15 pre-booked 20-minute 1-on-1s run Thursday and Friday: in the meeting blocks above, at lunch, and at the reception. Each is with a plant leader who asked to meet you, at your company table. You get your meeting schedule before you arrive, and the delegate list, with names, titles and companies, 30 days before the summit.
Venue photos via Wikimedia Commons: Hilton Columbus Downtown by Ɱ (CC BY-SA 4.0); Renaissance Center by Crisco 1492 (public domain).
The program: plant leaders come to hear how other plants fixed it.
The program is built from projects plants actually finished, presented by the plant and the company that did the work. Every quality and inspection category has room for more. If you've solved a problem like these, your story belongs on this program.
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Metrology & 3D scanningInvited
How Acutec Precision Aerospace in Meadville, Pennsylvania cut inspection lead time by roughly 80%
A Mitutoyo MiSTAR 555 shop-floor CMM loaded by a FANUC robot, with MCOSMOS and MeasurLink SPC, next to the mill-turn machines: inspection lead time cut by roughly 80%, in-process checks down to roughly 20% of the original duration, about $40,000 a year of inspection headcount redeployed, and tool-wear drift caught within three consecutive parts (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Mitutoyo in Modern Machine Shop).
The problem: Operators carried samples to a temperature-controlled lab, so feedback was slow, tool wear and thermal growth went unnoticed, and scrap and rework followed.
Published result: A Mitutoyo MiSTAR 555 shop-floor CMM loaded by a FANUC robot, with MCOSMOS and MeasurLink SPC, next to the mill-turn machines: inspection lead time cut by roughly 80%, in-process checks down to roughly 20% of the original duration, about $40,000 a year of inspection headcount redeployed, and tool-wear drift caught within three consecutive parts (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Mitutoyo in Modern Machine Shop).
Invited: Mitutoyo America, with Acutec Precision Aerospace · Read the published case
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Machine visionInvited
How Federal Package in Chanhassen, Minnesota inspects every deodorant on high-speed lines
Cognex In-Sight vision systems with edge learning: greater than 99% defect detection accuracy while inspecting 100% of products (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Cognex).
The problem: Labor shortages and strict customer quality standards meant the contract manufacturer needed automatic checks for overfills, cosmetic defects and label errors.
Published result: Cognex In-Sight vision systems with edge learning: greater than 99% defect detection accuracy while inspecting 100% of products (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Cognex).
Invited: Cognex, with Federal Package · Read the published case
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Quality management softwareInvited
How rubber molder Moldtech cut scrap costs by nearly 50%
The Plex platform (ERP, MES and quality management system), live in about six months: scrap costs down nearly 50%, efficiency up 10–20%, and about $25,000 saved in Q1 2025 against budget (measured; the QMS is one of four modules) (as reported by Rockwell Automation).
The problem: A mix of legacy systems, spreadsheets and standalone tools meant late, inaccurate reports, little view of the plant floor and near-zero inventory accuracy.
Published result: The Plex platform (ERP, MES and quality management system), live in about six months: scrap costs down nearly 50%, efficiency up 10–20%, and about $25,000 saved in Q1 2025 against budget (measured; the QMS is one of four modules) (as reported by Rockwell Automation).
Invited: Rockwell Automation (Plex), with Moldtech · Read the published case
See all 10 stories, in 4 categories, and how a session runs
- 1The problemWhat was happening at the plant.
- 2The costEnergy, maintenance, downtime or lost output.
- 3The decisionThe options they weighed, and why this one.
- 4The workWhat changed, how long it took, what went wrong.
- 5The resultsMeasured before and after. Achieved, estimated or identified, said plainly.
- 6The lessonsWhat another plant should check first.
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Machine vision
2 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How Federal Package in Chanhassen, Minnesota inspects every deodorant on high-speed lines
Cognex In-Sight vision systems with edge learning: greater than 99% defect detection accuracy while inspecting 100% of products (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Cognex).
The problem: Labor shortages and strict customer quality standards meant the contract manufacturer needed automatic checks for overfills, cosmetic defects and label errors.
Published result: Cognex In-Sight vision systems with edge learning: greater than 99% defect detection accuracy while inspecting 100% of products (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Cognex).
Invited: Cognex, with Federal Package · Read the published case
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Invited
How ORAFOL Fresnel Optics in Apolda, Germany cut lens inspection time in half
Zebra Aurora AI machine vision: inspection time cut in half, more than 1.5 million parts processed, two operators' time freed, and 24/7 inspection with full traceability per component (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Zebra Technologies).
The problem: Defects in microstructured lenses were masked by the fine surface structure, and final inspection needed up to 15 operators.
Published result: Zebra Aurora AI machine vision: inspection time cut in half, more than 1.5 million parts processed, two operators' time freed, and 24/7 inspection with full traceability per component (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Zebra Technologies).
Invited: Zebra Technologies, with ORAFOL Fresnel Optics · Read the published case
- Open slot
Your customer's story goes here.
Solved a plant problem in this category? Propose it for the program.
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Metrology & 3D scanning
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How Acutec Precision Aerospace in Meadville, Pennsylvania cut inspection lead time by roughly 80%
A Mitutoyo MiSTAR 555 shop-floor CMM loaded by a FANUC robot, with MCOSMOS and MeasurLink SPC, next to the mill-turn machines: inspection lead time cut by roughly 80%, in-process checks down to roughly 20% of the original duration, about $40,000 a year of inspection headcount redeployed, and tool-wear drift caught within three consecutive parts (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Mitutoyo in Modern Machine Shop).
The problem: Operators carried samples to a temperature-controlled lab, so feedback was slow, tool wear and thermal growth went unnoticed, and scrap and rework followed.
Published result: A Mitutoyo MiSTAR 555 shop-floor CMM loaded by a FANUC robot, with MCOSMOS and MeasurLink SPC, next to the mill-turn machines: inspection lead time cut by roughly 80%, in-process checks down to roughly 20% of the original duration, about $40,000 a year of inspection headcount redeployed, and tool-wear drift caught within three consecutive parts (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Mitutoyo in Modern Machine Shop).
Invited: Mitutoyo America, with Acutec Precision Aerospace · Read the published case
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Invited
How DURA Automotive in Muscle Shoals, Alabama took EV battery enclosure inspection out of the lab
Creaform MetraSCAN 3D BLACK Elite optical CMM and HandyPROBE with PolyWorks on the shop floor, measuring to 0.025 mm: 'we have increased our capacity by 75%' (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Creaform).
The problem: One stationary CMM was often overloaded, and enclosures had to be moved to the metrology lab to be measured, which limited capacity.
Published result: Creaform MetraSCAN 3D BLACK Elite optical CMM and HandyPROBE with PolyWorks on the shop floor, measuring to 0.025 mm: 'we have increased our capacity by 75%' (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Creaform).
Invited: FARO CREAFORM, with DURA Automotive Systems · Read the published case
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Invited
How BG Automation cut large-plate inspection from up to 3 hours to under 15 minutes
A Keyence XM handheld CMM that any trained inspector can use: plate inspection from up to 3 hours to under 15 minutes, and first-article and production buyoff inspections cut in half (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Keyence).
The problem: Large machined plates were checked with calipers, height gauges and a portable arm CMM that needed skilled operators and took 2.5 to 3 hours per part.
Published result: A Keyence XM handheld CMM that any trained inspector can use: plate inspection from up to 3 hours to under 15 minutes, and first-article and production buyoff inspections cut in half (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Keyence).
Invited: Keyence, with BG Automation · Read the published case
- Open slot
Your customer's story goes here.
Solved a plant problem in this category? Propose it for the program.
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Quality management software
2 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How rubber molder Moldtech cut scrap costs by nearly 50%
The Plex platform (ERP, MES and quality management system), live in about six months: scrap costs down nearly 50%, efficiency up 10–20%, and about $25,000 saved in Q1 2025 against budget (measured; the QMS is one of four modules) (as reported by Rockwell Automation).
The problem: A mix of legacy systems, spreadsheets and standalone tools meant late, inaccurate reports, little view of the plant floor and near-zero inventory accuracy.
Published result: The Plex platform (ERP, MES and quality management system), live in about six months: scrap costs down nearly 50%, efficiency up 10–20%, and about $25,000 saved in Q1 2025 against budget (measured; the QMS is one of four modules) (as reported by Rockwell Automation).
Invited: Rockwell Automation (Plex), with Moldtech · Read the published case
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Invited
How Trane Technologies cut scrap and rework by 32% across 52 sites
ETQ Reliance (now Octave Reliance), starting with nonconforming material, deviations and corrective-action apps, run by a three-person quality team: scrap and rework down 32%, overall warranty costs down 70%, cycle time down by up to 87% with a 50% reduction on average, 9,000+ users (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Octave).
The problem: Internal and supplier quality workflows were fragmented, slow and costly across the plants.
Published result: ETQ Reliance (now Octave Reliance), starting with nonconforming material, deviations and corrective-action apps, run by a three-person quality team: scrap and rework down 32%, overall warranty costs down 70%, cycle time down by up to 87% with a 50% reduction on average, 9,000+ users (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Octave).
Invited: Octave (formerly ETQ), with Trane Technologies · Read the published case
- Open slot
Your customer's story goes here.
Solved a plant problem in this category? Propose it for the program.
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Inspection AI
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How a global implant maker validated AI defect inspection in 1-2 weeks instead of 3+ months
Landing AI's LandingLens, with validation by Verista: initial deployment validation from 3+ months to 1-2 weeks, at a cost described as 2X less (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Verista).
The problem: Multi-stage manual inspection of implantable devices was inconsistent and costly, and newer inspectors sometimes missed defects; regulatory validation of new software slowed any change.
Published result: Landing AI's LandingLens, with validation by Verista: initial deployment validation from 3+ months to 1-2 weeks, at a cost described as 2X less (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Verista).
Invited: Landing AI, with Verista · Read the published case
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Invited
How Sappi saved more than $1M across three paper sites with thermal AI inspection
Eigen Innovations' inline thermal imaging and AI inspection: more than $1M in savings across three sites (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Advantech, Eigen's hardware partner).
The problem: Coating buildup caused streaks and equipment damage, and the existing optical vision system could not see the moisture changes behind them.
Published result: Eigen Innovations' inline thermal imaging and AI inspection: more than $1M in savings across three sites (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Advantech, Eigen's hardware partner).
Invited: Eigen Innovations, with Sappi · Read the published case
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Invited
How a North American composite decking maker raised yield from 86% to 97%
Elementary AI inspection with four cameras and 360-degree coverage, rejecting through the PLC and stopping the line after 5 consecutive failures: yield from 86% to 97% and 100% traceability (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Elementary).
The problem: Manual inspection of long boards in 24 SKUs on 8 high-volume lines could not keep up or reliably catch bubbles, speckling, missing capstock and vacuum bumps, and yield was stuck at 86%.
Published result: Elementary AI inspection with four cameras and 360-degree coverage, rejecting through the PLC and stopping the line after 5 consecutive failures: yield from 86% to 97% and 100% traceability (measured; period not stated) (as reported by Elementary).
Invited: Elementary · Read the published case
- Open slot
Your customer's story goes here.
Solved a plant problem in this category? Propose it for the program.
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"Invited" means invited: none of these companies has confirmed. Results are as published by the supplier; we ask every presenter for dates, baseline costs and verified results before the program is final.
Real FMA Summit rooms. No stock photography.
Get in front of the decision makers, not the crowd.
Full package
- 15 guaranteed pre-scheduled meetings
- A 20-minute case-study session
- A fully furnished exhibit
- Your corporate dining table
- Three people at full access
Add meetings up to 40 at $1,500 each.
- Any booked meeting that doesn’t happen is added to your next summit, written into your sponsor agreement.
- Each summit is capped at 20 sponsors, each solving a different problem for the people in the room.
Want the category to yourself? Each summit is capped at 20 sponsors. To talk about your category, .
- Plant leaders ask to meet you. We seat the ones who asked at your table.
- Your booked meeting schedule arrives before the summit.
- Any booked meeting that doesn't happen is added to your next summit: miss 3, and you get 15 plus 3. It's written into your sponsor agreement.
- You get the delegate list 30 days before the summit: names, titles and companies.
- Three people are included with full access. Extra passes are $2,900 each.
Or pick only what you wantMeetings from $15,000, talk $15,000, exhibit $15,000, dining table $10,000
One category, one summit. Prices in USD. Whatever you pick includes three people with full access. Meetings are booked on an opt-in basis before the summit; any booked meeting that doesn't happen is added to your next summit.
No vendor walks the show. Solution providers attend only as sponsors. A vendor that has not sponsored cannot register, attend or work the room, so the plant leaders you meet are not being chased by your competitors in the hallway.
The ten questions every sponsor asks.
Past sponsors answer all ten in one 5-minute film. Pick a question and the film jumps to its answer.
Now ask your own questions.
Answered on camera by past FMA sponsors. Recorded at past FMA summits.
Who's behind it.
Started FMA in Montreal in 2007 and has run every summit himself: 35 of them, 17,000+ meetings. Capped at 20 sponsors per summit, meetings booked before anyone arrives, and no vendor walks the show.
Read the full story
30 printed programs, with every sponsor and speaker as printed.
Open any programCapped at 20 sponsors per summit. Small on purpose, so every sponsor gets real meetings.
Twenty minutes with Joe Piazza: who is coming to your summit, where your company fits among its 20 sponsors, and what the agreement says. The sponsor brief has the delegate profile, the full agenda and the itemized pricing.
35 summits since 2007. Joe Piazza, who founded FMA, runs every summit himself. The videos on this page are from past summits.