In October 2025, as the manufacturing sector began preparing for a new fiscal year, Manufacturers Connect hosted a landmark networking and learning session focused on the road ahead. We were thrilled to see such a strong turnout of innovators and leaders dedicated to navigating the complexities of our ever-changing industry.

Strategic Economic Analysis

Our featured speaker, Dr. King Banaian (Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for Policy Research and Community Engagement at the Herberger Business School), provided a masterclass in economic forecasting.

With 2026 then on the horizon, Dr. Banaian’s expert analysis centered on the critical levers affecting the manufacturing floor:

• Monetary Policy & The Fed: A deep dive into Federal Reserve rates and how their fluctuations directly influence capital equipment financing and manufacturing expansion.

• Supply Chain Resilience: An honest look at the effect of tariffs on global trade, helping our members understand how to better insulate their supply chains from geopolitical volatility.

• The 2026 Professional Outlook: Dr. Banaian shared his specific projections for the coming year, providing our attendees with a “competitive playbook” to use for their Q4 planning and beyond.

Connecting the Industry

Beyond the economic data, the evening was a testament to the strength of our local manufacturing community. The networking portion of the event allowed for candid conversations between peers—sharing successes, discussing shared challenges, and building the partnerships that keep our industry robust.

As we move through 2026, the insights shared during this October session continue to serve as a valuable benchmark for our members.