Tags: Press release, Manufacturing Summit, Workforce
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Stacey Kollmeyer Johnson
Executive Director
Manufacturers Council of the Central Valley
(209) 523-0886
stacey@mccv.org
Regional event on September 29 will connect 350+ students, educators, and industry leaders to build the North Valley's next-generation manufacturing workforce
MODESTO, CA. — The Manufacturers Council of the Central Valley (MCCV), in partnership with Stanislaus Partners in Education (SPIE), will host the inaugural North Valley Manufacturing Summit on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Stanislaus State in Turlock. The event, a direct outcome of the Stanislaus 2030 Manufacturing Workforce initiative, is expected to draw between 350 and 500 participants from across the region's manufacturing, education, and workforce development sectors.
The Summit is designed to reshape how students, educators, and the broader community understand modern manufacturing careers. Programming will include 150 area high school students competing in a hands-on supply chain simulation, 50 cross-disciplinary educators participating in student resume labs, and talent-pipeline networking tracks for the region's top manufacturing executives.
“This Summit is about creating meaningful, direct connections between one of our region’s leading employment sectors and the educational professionals and students in our region,” said Stacey Kollmeyer Johnson, Executive Director of MCCV. “Manufacturing careers span the gamut from skilled technical roles to science-oriented Environmental Health and Safety roles to logistics, finance, marketing and more. Our goal is to raise awareness of the wide variety and quality of manufacturing careers locally.”
The Summit will open with an invite-only welcome reception on Monday, September 28, hosted by Stanislaus State President Dr. Britt Rios-Ellis, to introduce keynote speaker Dr. Kevin Fleming. Dr. Fleming, a nationally recognized author and speaker, is known for his research-backed “1:2:7” framework — for every job requiring an advanced degree, two require a bachelor's degree and seven require a targeted technical skill or credential — and his call to shift from a “university for all” mindset to a “post-high-school credential for all” model. He is the author of (Re)Defining the Goal and creator of the viral video Success in the New Economy.
“To build a strong future workforce, we have to tackle the outdated perceptions around manufacturing and expose students early to the viable, cutting-edge opportunities available right here at home,” said Jess Godden of Stanislaus Partners in Education. “Because educators hold a true multiplier effect in the classroom, equipping them with direct industry knowledge exponentially expands what’s possible for their students. This Summit brings all the pieces together to showcase just how dynamic and highly transformed modern manufacturing really is.”
Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities remain open, with discounted rates available to MCCV members. Organizations interested in supporting the event can find sponsorship details and register at mccv.org/Manufacturing-Summit.
Event Details
What: North Valley Manufacturing Summit
When: Tuesday, September 29, 2026- 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Where: Stanislaus State Event Center
Who: 150 high school students, 50 educators, and regional manufacturing executives and stakeholders
Registration: mccv.org/Manufacturing-Summit
About Manufacturers Council of the Central Valley (MCCV)
The Manufacturers Council of the Central Valley (MCCV) is a members-only organization representing manufacturers across Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Merced counties, focused on workforce development, environmental and regulatory issues, and advocacy for the region's advanced manufacturing sector.
About Stanislaus Partners in Education (SPIE)
Stanislaus Partners in Education (SPIE) is a non-profit organization that serves as a neutral intermediary between K-12 school districts and the business community across Stanislaus County. By building and establishing the strategic partnerships that drive work-based learning, SPIE connects classroom learning with real-world industry needs to prepare local students for viable, high-quality careers right here in our community.
This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP2096 awarded to County of Stanislaus by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
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