It takes more than a dedicated group of individuals to reshore advanced manufacturing. It takes a whole network of networks. On May 12–13, 2026, nearly 90 people representing Manufacturing USA’s innovation institutes and partnering federal agencies convened for the 2026 Manufacturing USA Network Meeting. Over the course of 1.5 days of connection, collaboration, and inspiration, attendees focused on a central theme that defines the program’s ultimate goal: “Invented Here. Made Here.”
Hosted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office, the annual event gathers key stakeholders to explore the network’s critical role in securing domestic supply chains, scaling up breakthrough technologies, and cultivating a world-class manufacturing workforce.
Supporting Innovation Ecosystems
After a Tuesday morning keynote from Lisa Friedersdorf, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President, on Administrative Priorities, a panel moderated by Kate Peretti of the Department of Energy (DOE) shifted the focus to practical, real-world success. Speakers Nick Morris (NextFlex), Ed McCormick (CyManII), and John Balchunas (NIIMBL) shared institute initiatives that have delivered high-impact results for their ecosystems. The discussion emphasized how the unique, collaborative structure of the Manufacturing USA institutes acts as a force multiplier.
The theme of supporting innovation ecosystems continued into the second day with a keynote by Ben Solomon, CEO of FedTech. Solomon addressed the persistent challenges of technology adoption, explaining how institutes can help their members better navigate and overcome the "valleys of death" that often stall deep-tech commercialization.
Building the Future Workforce
Addressing the manufacturing talent pipeline was central to the meeting’s sessions. Leaders from across the network, including Brad Conrad (NIST), Angela Accurso (MxD), John Zappa (ARM Institute), Conrad Leiva (CESMII), John Balchunas (NIIMBL), and Andrew Pokelwaldt (IACMI), highlighted updates from the 2026 Manufacturing USA Occupation and Competency Framework and recent milestones achieved by institute workforce programs.
The meeting also featured a special half-day of workshops for Education and Workforce Development leads, allowing institute and agency representatives to discuss the implementation of the framework and their own goals.
Embracing a Bold Vision for 2030-2035
One of the most anticipated segments of the event was an embargoed briefing on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) study, “A Vision for the Manufacturing USA Program in 2030 and 2035,” released on May 14. Theresa Kotanchek, Committee Chair, presented the report's key findings, offering a strategic roadmap for the network over the next decade.
The next day, attendees unpacked these insights during a dedicated session led by NIST’s Leah Kaufman. The group discussed the study’s key recommendations and strategized about next steps to ensure the network remains a powerful driver of innovation for years to come.
Each year, the Network Meeting both underscores and invigorates the dedication of institute and agency staff to the program’s mission. The addition of NASEM’s independent study, which calls on the nation to “Go Bigger,” brought even more energy to the network’s efforts to ensure that game-changing technologies are not only invented here but also proudly made here.