| TRACK Session Descriptions & Presenters |
Important Note: Sessions ending with 1 or 2 are on Day One; Sessions ending with 3 or 4 are on Day Two.
To view presenter photo and brief bio, click on name(s) that appear below each session.
What’s all this talk about the Cloud? A paradigm shift where organizations are moving from traditional On-Premise solutions to Cloud solutions is here. Explore how to power your business productivity in the cloud, using examples from Microsoft Dynamics, examples of ERP, and customer relationship management solutions. Explore total cost of ownership, scalability and security. Assess technology needs and help boost profits and productivity by learning ways to adapt to how your people work in the Cloud.
Learn how I-pads used to enter and track information in real time on the manufacturing floor improves efficiency and enables better decisions. Two of Montana’s leading manufacturers will share how they use today’s technology for inventory control, data entry, work instructions, inspection reports, labor usage and more, creating information available real time and how that’s working at their operations – each using different systems & approaches. Panel of Peers “Sonny” Martin, Blue Marble Bio-Materials, & Chad Oster, West Paw Design
Moderator: Jeremy Wolf, MMEC
It’s cool. It’s exciting. It offers promise in supply chain. And YES, even you can do 3-D printing -- but SHOULD YOU? Explore trends and capabilities in 3-D printing, learn some of the science behind this disruptive technology, and gauge when and how such magical opportunities can work for you.
Check out 3-D printers at work in the Exhibitor Hall and design technology roll-out for 2015 in Session A-4.
Al Deibert, MilTech
A-4: Alakazam: Solidworks Launch 2015
(Session breaks for lunch program; reconvenes from 3-5 p.m.)
Bring your design team to take advantage of the SolidWorks 2015 Launch Event in the empowering conference setting, with multiple tracks to choose from. You and your team will explore new features and customer driven enhancements to SolidWorks 2015. Take home new ideas and perhaps win a cool giveaway!
David Minerath & Quest Integration Team
B-1: Tapping the Magic International Markets -- What Do I Do, What Amount, Who Can Help
Whether looking to make your first export sale or expand to additional international markets, get helpful information to align with your business objectives and help you complete your export transaction. Get planning tips and learn about opportunities to reach potential buyers and partners, plus basic market research. Encounter a resource for trade finance, insurance strategies, and ways to tap new markets and grow your business.
Carey Hester, U.S. Commercial Service, MT Export Assistance Center
& Import Export Bank of the United States (invited)
B2: Break thru the Mystery to Increase Market Share
Knowing how to increase sales seem daunting, unclear, and difficult? Demystify using simple terms & steps to explore how to adjust your marketing focus in ways that could make all the difference. Understand current position, learn who your competition really is, and identify potential untapped opportunities in your market to position your business where you will be the most successful.
Brandon Orr, Small Business Development Center Director, Helena College
B3: It's Not Just an Illusion: Creating B2B Sales Success
Business-to-Business (B2B) transactions are a critical part of any manufacturing firm. Consistent, local supplies for production parts help manufacturers not only produce on time and higher quality product, but support other local businesses that can be very valuable for local economies. In this session you will not only learn the importance of B2B transactions but how to foster strong relationships with other businesses that will help you grow.
Julie Jaksha, Small Business Development Center, Headwaters RC&D
B-4: What is Your Magic?
What thing, concept or essence makes your products/services higher values from your customers’ perspectives? Learn how to define, communicate and demonstrate your magic to customers. WHEN your customers understand the magic and its value to their business processes, you can sell products and services at a higher price. Learn the secret code to thinking like a customer. Without your magic, you are selling easily replaced or substituted commodities. Stop competing on price!
C-1 & 2 The Magic in Proper Planning: Increasing Business Value & Growth Potential (2-part, ends 5:30)
Whether your primary purpose is to take advantage of growth opportunities or build maximum business value, proper planning is essential. Get a step-by-step process in this fast paced and highly interactive workshop. You will learn to more effectively analyze your business and develop appropriate strategies for a systematical, comprehensive growth plan. We will discuss costly and common mistakes, provide techniques to manage and overcome growth pressures, and share a proven framework for design of your
long-term strategy.
Colleen Rudio, Cascadia Business Solutions & Michael Tobiason, AZ
C-3 Never Believe It’s Not So: 1-Hour To Plan
Business planning does not have to be complicated to be effective. Learn to identify and accomplish tasks to move forward quickly. Discover the keys to build your business and clarify your strategy & business direction. Develop an action plan and empower your people to get in the game. Create Your Business Growth Plan on a Single Sheet of Paper and become more productive and less stressed. Receive a free copy of Joe’s book, “The 1-Hour Plan for Growth.”
Joe Calhoon, Priority Advantage
C-4 Bigger, Bolder, BETTER: Your Voice & the MT Mfg Council
The future of the manufacturing industry lies in the vision of those currently engaged… learn more about what Manufacturing Council membership means and get involved! Join us to discuss challenges confronting the industry. Learn how we can take a leading role in promoting industrial skills and manufacturing as an attractive career choice for the next generation. Join us to explore ways the Council can assist and advocate. We all have a stake in building voice for Montana’s key industry.
Tom Spika, Council Chair, with Pete Burwell, Montana Chamber/Council
back to top
D-1 Now You See It - Now You Don't: Get Started with 5S
Open Your Eyes to Workplace Organization tools for more efficiency, safety, and customer responsiveness. In this session, learn some simple techniques that lead to surprising benefits. Jumpstart your Lean Journey with the foundations of 5S!
Dale Detrick, Lean Consultant
D-2 Predict Success with Team Based Problem Solving
This interactive session will focus on the purpose of teams in business and manufacturing; how and when to form teams, and how to motivate them and use tools effectively to solve problems. Involving employees in teamwork and problem-solving efforts improves morale and the bottom line. Seize this opportunity to learn Mr. Langford's team-based problem-solving techniques, how to incorporate stakeholders in teams, and apply them to your organization without leaving Montana!
David P. Langford, Langford International
D-3 Marvels of Lean Product Development /Design for Mfg
Stay ahead of the competition. Learn to reduce the risk. Get to the payoff faster. Explore how Lean Product Development (LPD) can reduce costs, improve resource utilization, and accelerate time-to-market for new products and services. Learn what waste and value look like in the context of new product development and how to apply Lean principles to the development environment. LPD can be used by those new to product development or trying to improve their current product or process development.
D-4 The Secret to Creating Change and Efficiency: Dedicated Leadership
Companies can invest in consultants and process reengineering only to find the results disappointing and short lived. The missing link is often an internal leader who brings the right approach, attitude and mindset to live the new process day in and day out. To be effective long term this role must come from within the organization. Explore what the your team is looking for, the direction a process requires to be long lasting and most importantly, how both start and end with the internal leader on the team.
E-1 Cut through the Mystery of Angel Investing
Moderator, Liz Marchi, founder Frontier Investor II, with guests John Lindstrom & Leon Liebman
Launching new products or financing growth can take more capital than available. Explore this investment mechanism to fund your rapid growth and innovative technologies & products. Hear from experienced ANGEL INVESTORS committed to Montana business success to learn what companies they invest in, when, and why.
Liz Marchi, Founder, Frontier Angle Fund II
with guests John Lindstrom & Leon Liebman
E-2 Find the Magic in Strategic Partnering
Strategic partnering is a proven means for small to mid-size companies to achieve critical objectives and to increase revenue and opportunities. Learn more about the many forms of partnering – licensing, joint ventures, teaming agreements, subcontracting and more. Explore the significant opportunity for success and risks that can trip up companies that are ill-prepared.
Christie Bell, Consultant & former MTIP Director
E-3 The Alakazam in R&D Manufacturing
The Research & Experimentation Tax Credit—R&D tax credit or research tax credit—is one of the most valuable, least used credits a company can leverage. It returns billions of dollars every year to businesses and represents a dollar-for-dollar reduction of your income tax liability. Along with a brief history of the R&D tax credit, you will learn what qualifies as R&D in the eyes of the IRS, how to capture costs associated with R&D efforts, and an overview of potential risks and rewards. See how this credit could potentially benefit you.
Star Fischer and Shane Hunt, Moss Adams
E-4 The Alchemy in Growth Financing & Bank Credit: A Panel
Innovation is great; expansion is exciting, but where do you get the money to develop and market a new product or to expand your space? Get a blend of what money is available for financing growth and meet lenders and advisors who will explain various programs and how lending decisions are made. Go beyond the matchbook cover and learn how to talk to your banker.
Mod., John Klaman, Montana District SBA, Office at Big Sky Economic Development, Panelists: Kent Wood, First Interstate Bank; Brandon Berger SBA 504 at Big Sky Economic Development; Brandon Orr, SBDC Regional Director, Helena.
F-1 Unveil What You Need in Your Food Safety Management Plan
This course will provide an overview of a Food Safety Management System and review key components of the Food Safety Management System Toolkit, a new resource developed by the Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center. Get introduced to templates the toolkit offers on policies, procedures and record keeping for a food safety management plan. See how your food businesses can apply this to develop a solid plan in your operations.
Jan Tusick, Mission Mountain Food Enterprise
F-2a Perception: How Do You Communicate Safety?
How do you communicate safety with your workers? Is your message clear? Are you sure that it will be accepted and followed? This session discusses the communication process and gives you useful communication skills and tools that will have everyone talking AND practicing safety.
Kirk Smith, Montana State Fund
F-2b Boost Savings & Increase Sustainability – Real Case Studies
Uncloak positive results and cost savings that extend beyond these real DEQ case studies. Learn more about how a project at FH Stoltze Land and Lumber Company eliminated the company’s need for an air quality permit with the biomass-fired combined heat/power system and gains made by replacing hundred year old boilers; who else benefits and why. Examine the double benefits gained when Draughtworks, a local Missoula brewpub, installed a ground source heat pump and its unique financing arrangement. Look closely at the State of Montana Data Center and how it’s saving the state thousands of dollars a year, the benefits of Kyoto cooling wheels, and reduced costs.
Kathi Montgomery, MT Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
F-3 Survival is Not Mandatory: Cut Thru Changes to ISO 9001 for 2015
Are you uncertain how the changes to ISO 9001:2015 will impact your company and quality management system? This overview of changes scheduled to be released in 2015, will help you understand the revisions as you prepare to update or develop your processes to be in compliance. Leave with a better understanding of the time table for release of ISO 9001:2015, the changes to requirements over the previous version, and new additions to ISO 9001, which include risk management. Company owner, management, quality managers, and internal auditors will benefit from attending.
F-4 Presto: Effective Time Management Tips
Each of us has the same amount of time but never enough time. The key is not to manage time, but to manage ourselves. Choices we make about what we are doing with our time are critical to our success. Explore the following in this course: Prioritizing – Analyzing – Filtering – Scheduling – Executing.
