Keynote Presentation
Staying Ahead of the Curve: Top 5 Tech Trends—Click here to view the presentation

The world around us is evolving at a staggering pace—new technology, changing communication channels and preferences, and shifting workflow processes have all seen innovation like never before. During this session, Matrix Group CEO Joanna Pineda will cover the top 5 tech trends that you need to pay attention to and plan for, including:

• Online security best practices to keep you, your family, and your organization safe.
• Augmented reality/virtual reality and its impact on construction.
• Nano learning and how it can empower your workforce.
• Artificial intelligence and how cognification will make everything better.
• The war on talent, which today is largely being waged online.

Speaker:
Joanna Pineda, CEO, Matrix Group International

Merit Contractors Session
Overview and Discussion with SkillsUSA—Click here to view the presentation

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industries working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. During this session, Amy Serafino, Corporate Development Officer at SkillsUSA, will provide an overview of the organization, how working with SkillsUSA will help solve their skills gap, and discuss how industry is setting the standard for the future workforce.

Speaker:
Amy Serafino, Corporate Development Officer, Business Partnerships and Development, SkillsUSA

Distributor/Fabricator Session
The Economic Impact of U.S. Tariffs and Retaliatory Actions—Click here to view the presentation

What effects will the new tariffs have on the manufacturing industry as well as U.S. GDP, wages, and jobs? Nicole Kaeding will provide a brief overview of the economics of trade and tariffs, review the recent actions taken by the United States and trading partners to impose new tariffs, and discuss estimates of the new tariffs effects on the economy.

Speaker:
Nicole Kaeding, Director of Federal Projects, Tax Foundation

Associate (Manufacturers) Session
The Trucking Industry’s Top Challenges and Solutions—Click here to view the presentation

The trucking industry plays a key role in the U.S. economy, moving 70% of the nation’s freight. However, from the driver shortage, to congestion, to a lack of truck parking, the trucking industry faces several challenges.  Alan Hooper, a Research Associate with the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), will discuss the top challenges facing the trucking industry and how new research is leading to solutions for the industry.

Speaker:
Alan Hooper, Research Associate, American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI)

Young Professional Advisory Committee
Managing Your Most Important Business Relationship—Click here to view the presentation

Your most important professional relationship is with your boss. How do you manage that relationship, as well as other employees who may or may not be younger than you, to ensure that you have what you need to do your job well, get the most important work done, and make everyone’s life easier? Jenny Rae Le Roux, CEO of Management Consulted, will share the power of Managing Up,  4 practical keys to ensure you place your boss—and in extension, yourself—in the best possible position to succeed.

Speaker:
Jenny Rae Le Roux, CEO, Management Consulted