Event Agenda

Navigating Sustainability Challenges in Electronics

Join us for an insightful workshop where we delve into the critical sustainability topics impacting electronics manufacturers, including wire and cable manufacturing companies. From reporting and disclosure to managing natural resources and waste, this session will provide a comprehensive overview of the key challenges and "pain points" manufacturers face today. Discover how workforce dynamics, value chain resiliency, and other sustainability factors shape the industry, and learn practical strategies to address these issues effectively. This workshop is ideal for professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of sustainability in manufacturing and develop solutions for a more resilient and sustainable future.

Dr. Kelly Scanlon leads the sustainability program for IPC International, Inc. She coordinates with IPC’s standards development activities, education and workforce training, and advocacy efforts to ensure the industry has solutions that address its sustainability challenges. Kelly has more than 25 years of experience as a public health scientist, supporting industry, academic and government institutions. Prior to IPC, she served as a senior research scientist in the Environmental and Energy Management Institute with the School of Engineering and Applied Science at The George Washington University. During her time at GW, Dr. Scanlon used a mobility assignment to work in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment in the Department of Defense. Kelly has a Doctor of Public Health degree from GW and a Master of Public Health from Emory University. She is an expert in environmental and occupational health, and she is certified in industrial hygiene.

China and Transnational Supply Chains in an Era of War and Deglobalization

China continues to play a pivotal role in global supply chains amidst rising geopolitical tensions and deglobalization. As ongoing conflicts reshape international trade policies, discover the challenges and opportunities for businesses relying on Chinese manufacturing. Learn about the latest shifts in global trade policies and innovative strategies to build resilient, diversified supply networks. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

Gordon G. Chang is the author of China Is Going to War, The Great U.S.-China Tech War, and Losing South Korea, booklets released by Encounter Books. His previous books are Nuclear Showdown: North Korea Takes on the World and The Coming Collapse of China, both from Random House.

Chang lived and worked in China and Hong Kong for almost two decades, most recently in Shanghai, as Counsel to the American law firm Paul Weiss and earlier in Hong Kong as Partner in the international law firm Baker & McKenzie. His writings on China and North Korea have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The National Interest, The American Conservative, Commentary, National Review, Barron's, and The Daily Beast. He is a columnist at Newsweek and writes regularly for The Hill.

He has spoken at Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, Yale, and other universities and at The Brookings Institution, The Heritage Foundation, the Cato Institute, RAND, the American Enterprise Institute, the Council on Foreign Relations, and other institutions. He has given briefings at the National Intelligence Council, the Central Intelligence Agency, the State Department, and the Pentagon. He has also spoken before industry and investor groups including Bloomberg, Sanford Bernstein, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Credit Lyonnais Securities Asia. Chang has appeared before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

Chang has appeared on Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, Newsmax, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, PBS, the BBC, and Bloomberg Television. He is a regular co-host on CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor.

Outside the United States he has spoken in Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, The Hague, London, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver. He served two terms as a trustee of Cornell University.
 

Beating Inflation

Businesses are being confronted with soaring inflation, the likes of which have not been seen since the 1970s. For many decision makers and managers, this presents an entirely new and challenging landscape - how you respond to this inflation will determine the sustainability and growth of your business as the world adapts to the new normal.

Beating Inflation, examines inflation from multiple perspectives and offers real-life solutions and concrete strategies for businesses. For businesses and consumers, it’s not about eliminating inflation but rather learning how to cope with it. Learn insights for pricing management teams as well as for teams in sales, finance and purchasing. 

Adam Echter is a Partner with Simon-Kucher and leads the Global Industrials Sector.

Adam’s career is marked by a deep commitment to enhancing sales excellence, business model innovation, and strategic pricing across various industries. With a rich background in sales development—from grassroots outside sales to the comprehensive restructuring and empowerment of sales teams—his expertise has impacted industrial companies with revenues ranging from $100 million to several billion dollars.

Such experience and success have led to recognition as one of “The Top 25 Strategy Consultants and Leaders of 2023” by the Consulting Report.

An author of note, Adam co-authored “Beating Inflation” alongside Dr. Hermann Simon, a best-selling author and co-founder of Simon-Kucher. This work underscores his thought leadership in the field of pricing during economically volatile times. Moreover, his contribution to the speaker circuit has delivered valuable insights through the Professional Pricing Society, Chief Executive Group, Private Equity International and various industry/academic forums.

Adam holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University at Buffalo and an MBA in finance from the University of Rochester’s Simon School of Business. Notably, his commitment to education and mentorship led him back to the Simon School of Business to help develop the first comprehensive pricing degree formally recognized by any MBA program.

Maximizing Profitability 

Discover how to leverage your existing resources using the Theory of Constraints (TOC) to maximize profitability. During this three hour 2-part workshop you'll learn:  

• How to leverage your constraint and existing resources to drive profitability 

• Understand how to make product flash service mix and investment decisions to maximize profitability 

• Practice applying the four TOC profitability metrics and three decision rules to your business to make decisions aligned with your profitability goals 

• Understand how operations sales/marketing and financials are interconnected and how you can use this to create a competitive advantage

“Dr. Lisa” Lang is a renowned Theory of Constraints expert and the foremost authority on applying Theory of Constraints to maximize profitability in custom manufacturing. Recognized as a “Trendsetter” by USA Today and a “Manufacturing Champion” by Newsweek, Dr. Lisa has helped over 500 manufacturers become more productive, create
compelling “mafia offers,” and increase profits through her Velocity Manufacturing approach.

Dr. Lisa is a recipient of the Theory of Constraints International Certification Organization Lifetime Achievement Award. She has served as the Global Marketing Director for Dr. Eli Goldratt, the father of Theory of Constraints and author of The Goal. She has served on
numerous boards and is currently the President of Science of Business, a consulting firm specializing in delivering tangible bottom-line results for manufacturers.

Holding a Ph.D. in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri – Rolla, Dr. Lisa has extensive experience in operations, strategic planning, purchasing, and R&D from her tenure with Clorox, Anheuser-Busch, and Coors Brewing.

Dr. Lisa's hands-on, practical approach to Theory of Constraints translates complex theories into actionable strategies that yield significant bottom-line improvements. Her ability to tailor solutions to the specific needs ensures that her clients achieve measurable and sustainable results.
 

Topics:
• A Conversation with Dr. Lisa Lang

Emerging Trends Reshaping the Electronics Industry

Delve into the latest advancements and innovations driving the electronics industry. Explore how cutting-edge technologies, evolving consumer demands, and shifting market dynamics are transforming the industry. Gain insights into new opportunities for growth, the impact of global supply chain disruptions, and strategies to stay competitive in an ever-changing landscape. 

As IPC’s chief economist, internationally recognized thought leader, global futurist and trendcaster, Shawn DuBravac works to expand IPC’s research program and provide insights on the biggest issues facing the $2 trillion global electronics industry, including supply chain resiliency/uncertainty, trade wars, skilled workforce shortage, and the expanding role of electronics in the global economy.

For more than a dozen years, DuBravac served as chief economist for the Consumer Technology Association, a U.S. trade association representing more than 2,000 consumer tech companies. More recently, he has provided consulting, research, and advisory services to clients on topics including digital transformation, business model disruptions, and global supply chains. He is also the author of the New York Times best seller, “Digital Destiny: How the New Age of Data Will Transform the Way We Work, Live, and Communicate,” and has appeared in Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Financial Times, Washington Post and more. DuBravac is a member of the National Association of Business Economists and currently serves as the president of the Conference of Business Economists.

DuBravac has taught at the George Washington University School of Business, American University’s Kogod School of Business, the George Mason University School of Business, Marymount University School of Business, and the University of Mary Washington. He holds economic degrees from Brigham Young University and George Mason University.

Creativity Unleashed: Generative AI and Your Future

Generative AI is transforming our world at a speed never before seen in history. With the introduction of programs like ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, and other large language models, for the first time, everyone has equal access to discover and manipulate data in ways that will transform business, communications, jobs, and everyday lives, forever. In this dynamic presentation, you will discover…

• The difference between AI and Generative AI, how they work, and how embracing them can give you a competitive edge

• What are the tactical applications to improve operations, marketing, and sales to create massive efficiency, allowing you to spend more time executing strategy and providing value

• ​A demonstration of AI-powered tools and the current best resources that you can immediately implement to improve performance. Whatever you dream can now become a reality

• A look into our Generative AI future, the ethical considerations, personal moral challenges, and decisions business leaders will face in this rapidly changing world

Internationally Recognized Expert on AI-Powered Digital Information
Meet Sam Richter, a distinguished hall of fame speaker renowned for his expertise in digital information. Sam is the only professional speaker who not only helps you discover the power of online intelligence, but he also builds the AI and ChatGPT intel resources to ensure you experience immediate success. Throughout his career, he has crafted innovative programs and technology for both start-up companies and some of the world's most recognized brands.

Sam is the founder and CEO of SBR Worldwide/Know More. Through his in-person keynote presentations and online programs, Sam trains leading organizations and entertains tens of thousands of people around the world. Sam’s programs promise to be the highest content, most take-home-value presentations attendees have ever experienced.
 

The National Speakers Association inducted Sam into the Professional Speaker Hall of Fame, where fewer than 300 professional speakers worldwide have been honored. Sam also received the Association's CSP Designation, reserved for the top ten percent of the world's professional speakers.

Sam RichterHe was named one of the Top 15 Highest Rated Speakers for Virtual Events, one of the Top 50 Sales Keynote Speakers in the world, one of the world's Top 100 Motivational Speakers, a Top Sales Coach by the Coach Foundation, and he is also a member of the Minnesota Speaker Hall of Fame.

Sam is the author of the bestselling book, Take the Cold Out of Cold Calling, considered the preeminent publication on finding information online and using it for sales success. Take the Cold Out of Cold Calling was named "Sales Book of the Year" by the American Association of Inside Sales Professionals and it was also named a "USA Book News Winner" and a “Sales Book Awards Silver Medalist."

In addition to speaking and writing, Sam created numerous AI-powered technologies, including a family of custom enterprise business, sales and competitive intelligence search applications, the Business/Sales Intel Engines, a library of online intel tools at YouGotIntel, the financial advisor Find5500.ai program, the AI-powered marketing and sales platform, Relevate.ai. and the Diamond Speaker program for higher-end professional speakers. Sam also creates custom AI and Generative-AI powered resources used by top companies worldwide.
 

Multiple times Sam was named by InsideView as one of the Top 25 Most Influential People in Sales, and he was also named as one of the Top Chief Marketing Officers on Twitter and has been recognized by LinkedIn as having one of the world's most viewed profiles. Sam has been featured in thousands of television and radio programs and national and online publications.

For more than six years, Sam was president of the James J. Hill Center, a not-for-profit business library, where he led the transformation of an eighty-five-year-old private, nonprofit business research organization into a nationally renowned institution serving entrepreneurs and small businesses via cutting-edge online resources. Sam also spent more than eighteen years in the advertising, public relations and e-commerce/e-marketing industry owning his own firm and working for internationally recognized organizations as a creative director, group director and marketing director. Sam has led product launches and strategic marketing programs for companies including Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Major League Baseball, Polaris Industries and National Geographic.

He has won regional, national and international awards, including Best of Show and Gold Awards at numerous sales and marketing competitions, Webby Awards and a Gold Award at the International Film Festival. He's also won a Retail Vision Award and a Codie Award—considered the "Oscars" of the software industry—for Best E-commerce Software. He is a member of Business Journal's Forty Under 40 and a past finalist for Inc. Magazine's Entrepreneur of the Year.

Sam serves on the Boards of Directors for Brandpoint, one of the world's leading content management platforms, and Argos Risk, a business financial health and credit monitoring software platform. He is also an advisor and partner at numerous technology, big data and sales organizations.

Sam received his B.A. from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communication and was twice named Scholastic All-American while also a four-year player and a letter winner on the University of Minnesota varsity football team. His postgraduate education includes certificate degrees in Executive Leadership from the University of St. Thomas and in Corporate Boards of Director Ethical Leadership from Saint Mary's University.
Sam lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota, with his wife and two children. He enjoys mentoring individuals in his community and volunteering his time working with nonprofit organizations, including Mental Health Navigators, a national nonprofit online community support and resource group helping parents of children experiencing mental health issues, where Sam built the nationally renowned Mental Health Resource Search Engine.

Topics:
•Get the Meeting No One Else Can
•Creativity Unleashed: Generative AI and Your Future
•Don’t Steal the Cheesecake