Kentucky Industry Conference 2025: Conference Recap and Looking Ahead

The 2025 Kentucky Industry Conference brought together manufacturers, workforce partners, policymakers, and innovation leaders from across the Commonwealth for two days of conversation and collaboration. With strong attendance, record exhibitor participation, and timely discussions on workforce, energy, recycling, and manufacturing innovation, KYIC 2025 reflected the continued growth and impact of Kentucky’s manufacturing ecosystem. Below is a recap of this year’s conference and a look ahead as MI2 begins planning for KYIC 2026.

MI2 member companies were deeply engaged throughout the conference, including Logan Aluminum, Nucor Corporation, Century Aluminum, Bilstein, Tungco, River Metals Recycling, Schupan, Toyota Tsusho, North American Stainless, Novelis, and many others representing the full breadth of Kentucky’s metals and manufacturing value chain.

This year’s conference brought together manufacturers alongside high schools, workforce programs, higher education institutions, and state and federal leadership, including members of the Kentucky House and Senate, the Governor’s Office, and U.S. Senate candidates. The level of participation underscored KYIC’s role as more than a conference—it is a convening platform where industry, talent, and policy intersect to shape Kentucky’s manufacturing future in real time

KYIC 2025 featured industry-driven programming led by MI2 members and ecosystem partners actively working on the challenges facing manufacturing today. Speakers included Jessie Schook (KCTCS), Debbie West (Tungco), Lauren Wood (River Metals Recycling), Kenneth Calloway (Century Aluminum), Kent Guthrie (Trace Die Cast), Eric Goff (Goff Policy), and Peter Knollmeyer (Fluor), among many others.

Panels and discussions explored critical themes such as manufacturing talent pathways, energy generation, nuclear innovation, operational excellence, and metals recycling as a strategic feedstock. A dedicated recycling session featured insights from Laura Haury (Logan Aluminum), Tom Emmerich (Schupan), Jessica Alexanderson (Recycling Society), and Phil Thompson (River Metals Recycling), highlighting how collaboration across the supply chain is essential to building resilient, circular manufacturing systems in Kentucky

A highlight of the conference was MI2’s InnoSearch competition, which connected manufacturers’ real-world challenges with pilot-ready solutions. Problem finalists included Logan Aluminum, Nucor Corporation, Century Aluminum, and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, while solution finalists showcased technologies aimed at advancing sustainability, safety, and operational efficiency across manufacturing environments. Congratulations to our winners, VISIA and Nucor Corporation. Read more about VISIA and read more about Nucor Corporation here.

KYIC 2025 also created space for direct dialogue between industry and policymakers. Cabinet Secretaries Jeff Noel, Jamie Link, and Rebecca Goodman joined a public-private collaboration panel moderated by MI2 CEO Mike Buckentin, while the 2026 U.S. Senate Candidate Forum brought national policy discussions directly into the manufacturing conversation.

The depth of member participation, speaker expertise, and cross-sector engagement at KYIC 2025 reflects a growing appetite for collaboration across Kentucky’s manufacturing ecosystem. Manufacturers, workforce leaders, educators, innovators, and policymakers came together with a shared goal: strengthening competitiveness, expanding opportunity, and ensuring Kentucky remains a leader in advanced manufacturing.

As KYIC continues to grow, MI2 remains focused on building the connections that move the industry forward. The success of the 2025 conference reinforces MI2’s role as a catalyst for innovation, workforce development, and long-term industry leadership across the Commonwealth.

Stay tuned! We will announce the dates for KYIC 2026 very soon!