EAST Session: Wednesday, May 14 from 5-7PM Sponsored by the Eastern States Exposition and West Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau. This event, featuring appetizers and beer, will take place outside between buildings 3 & 5.
EAST Session: Abstract : Manufacturers have more customer data than ever before, yet many still struggle to turn that data into real insights. Too often, sales teams rely on gut instinct, outdated reports, or incomplete CRM entries, leading to missed opportunities and inefficient processes. AI changes the game by analyzing patterns humans can’t see, uncovering hidden sales opportunities, and predicting customer needs before they arise. In this session, we’ll explore how AI can transform the way manufacturers understand and engage with customers—without requiring a complete digital overhaul. We’ll discuss real-world applications of AI in sales and customer relationships, including proactive recommendations, automated data capture, and predictive insights. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how AI can help you move beyond guesswork, make data-driven decisions, and build stronger, more profitable customer relationships. Significance/Importance : Manufacturers have long relied on relationships and gut instinct to drive sales, but today’s competitive landscape demands more. Traditional CRMs were meant to help but became data-entry burdens, leading to poor adoption and missed opportunities. AI is changing the game by turning raw data into actionable insights—automating manual processes, predicting customer needs, and uncovering hidden sales opportunities. Companies that embrace AI gain a competitive edge, while those that don’t risk falling behind. This session will show how AI helps manufacturers move beyond guesswork, make smarter decisions, and build stronger customer relationships with less effort.
EAST Session: Moderated by Colin Gilchrist For many small and medium-sized manufacturers, the overwhelming volume of information on security best practices can make organizational adoption seem daunting. From establishing basic network hygiene to tackling complex frameworks like CMMC and NIST 800-82, the journey requires careful navigation through a maze of advice, regulations, and consulting services. This panel discussion will demystify the process of implementing security at various scales, exploring practical approaches, key technologies, and industry best practices. Executives from machine monitoring, advanced security, digital numeric control (DNC) solutions and regulatory compliance, resilience and data protection — moderated by a strategic integrator serving both additive and subtractive manufacturing for the federal government—will share their insights. Designed for decision-makers, this interactive conversation will provide a clear roadmap to help organizations begin or advance their security journey. Attendees will gain a conversational understanding of the critical choices, trade-offs, and strategies needed to safeguard their operations in today’s evolving threat landscape.
Speaker at EAST: Nat Frampton, CEO, LECS Energy
Speaker at EAST: John Carpenter, Founder, Owner, President, Excellerant
Speaker at EAST: Rob Sims, V.P., Corporate & Business Development, Alchemi Data Management, Inc.
EAST Session: Manufacturing sales have hit a wall. Deals are taking longer to close and costing more to win. Since 2022, sales cycles have increased by 22%, while win rates have slipped by 17%. In this engaging fireside chat, industry experts will discuss why investing in ecommerce is essential—but notoriously difficult—for manufacturing companies with complex sales environments. From managing global sales teams and navigating intricate buyer journeys to configuring millions of product options, the challenges are vast. Join us to learn: - How to create product discovery experiences that reduce complexity for buyers. - Best practices for optimizing product data to ensure your entire catalog is discoverable and configurable online. - How to leverage insights from digital interactions to drive better business decisions. Don’t miss this candid conversation on how manufacturers are transforming their digital sales approach to boost efficiency, drive revenue, and enhance the buying experience. Significance/Importance: This topic is critical because manufacturing sales are increasingly complex, with deals taking longer to close and win rates declining—sales cycles have increased by 22% and win rates have dropped by 17% since 2022. As manufacturers face mounting pressure to streamline operations and drive revenue, adopting ecommerce solutions is essential. However, the complexity of managing global sales teams, serving thousands of buyers, and configuring millions of product options poses significant challenges. Understanding how to reduce this complexity through effective product discovery, optimized data, and actionable insights is vital for manufacturers striving to remain competitive and enhance their digital transformation journey.
EAST Session: Industrial AI is more accessible than ever. This technology, long viewed as “too complex” to implement, is now a practical productivity accelerator for manufacturers. The complexity misconception stems, in part, from the thinking that integration requires tearing out current systems. However, the reality is that it’s easily compatible with most legacy systems. By layering Industrial AI, ML, and other complementary tools on top of this existing data infrastructure, manufacturers reveal new improvement areas and free key resources to focus on the work that dictates long-term success. In this session, you’ll see how Industrial AI turns today’s operational challenges into an opportunity, a springboard for growth, and a means to provide your people with essential solutions. With capabilities like real‑time data contextualization and prescriptive recommendations, Industrial AI helps: - Make smarter decisions faster - Deliver continuous, measurable value - Scale subject matter expertise enterprise-wide Join us to learn how Industrial AI amplifies your workforce, maximizes the potential of your operations, and moves it forward faster than ever.
Speaker at EAST: John Biagioni, President, Lampin Corporation
Speaker at EAST: Tom Sieger, Partner, NETFORMIC USA