Georgia Manufacturing Summit returns Sept. 15 after six-year pause

The Georgia Manufacturing Summit is coming back Sept. 15 at Cobb Galleria Centre, aiming to bring 500 industry professionals together to tackle workforce shortages, automation and other pressures facing Georgia manufacturers. Georgia Manufacturing Alliance says the event is designed to put leaders in the same room to solve practical problems and rebuild connections after the pandemic-era break.

Why it matters: - Georgia manufacturers are facing overlapping pressure from workforce shortages, automation, cybersecurity, legal risk, margin pressure and leadership gaps. - The Summit is designed to connect manufacturers who are dealing with similar problems so they can share solutions face-to-face. - GMA is limiting attendance to preserve a balance between manufacturers and industry partners, not to maximize crowd size.

What happened: - The Georgia Manufacturing Summit returns Sept. 15 at Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta after a six-year hiatus. - Georgia Manufacturing Alliance expects about 500 industry professionals, including 300 manufacturing leaders and 200 industry partners. - The Summit is the first since the pandemic interrupted the event. - The event launched in 2015, grew to more than 850 attendees by 2019 and is coming back with a smaller, more targeted format.

The details: - Brandon Seadorf, director of manufacturing at PAI Manufacturing, will give the morning keynote, “Automation in Manufacturing: From Cages to Collaboration.” - Seadorf will focus on robotics and automation, with an emphasis on efficiency, process consistency, quality and ergonomics. - The afternoon general session will become the Georgia Manufacturing Workforce Forum — Building the Workforce We Need. - Travis Almy of TRC Talent Solutions will moderate the forum and present current workforce data. - Confirmed forum participants include Tyson Baker of Infinity Building Solutions and Mark Peevy, chief of staff for the Technical College System of Georgia. - The forum will examine workforce pipelines, where gaps remain and how industry, education and workforce groups can work together more effectively. - Other Summit sessions will cover financial performance and business value, operational technology and cybersecurity, legal risks, leadership development, operational excellence, Lean and continuous improvement, and sales and marketing. - A session called “Legal Landmines in Manufacturing: What Georgia Leaders Need to Know Now” will cover patents, intellectual property strategy, workplace safety and litigation. - Russ Dunlap will facilitate that session, with Micah Dickie of Fisher Phillips addressing workplace safety and litigation. - Registration includes breakfast, lunch, keynote and general sessions, educational sessions, exhibits and networking. - The event runs from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, at 2 Galleria Parkway SE, Atlanta. - Registration and information are available at Georgia Manufacturing Alliance.

Between the lines: - Jason Moss, founder and CEO of Georgia Manufacturing Alliance, said the Summit is about putting the right people in the same room so manufacturers can learn from each other and build relationships. - Moss said information is easy to find online, but finding someone who has already solved the same problem is harder. - The event reflects how manufacturing has shifted since 2019, with more focus on connected production systems, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. - GMA, founded in 2008 as NetworkingMFG and renamed in 2011, has built its audience through plant tours, educational programs, networking events and Women of GMA.

What's next: - Manufacturing leaders are being encouraged to register in advance because attendance is capped. - GMA expects the Summit to help attendees leave with practical contacts that can solve problems, open doors or strengthen operations. - High-resolution photos, logos, speaker headshots, event graphics and interview opportunities are available from Georgia Manufacturing Alliance.

The bottom line: - The Summit is back as a smaller, more curated gathering aimed at solving real manufacturing problems rather than drawing the biggest possible crowd.