Frost Brown Todd (FBT) is pleased to announce the inaugural FBT Connect™ Manufacturing conference, a one-day event designed to provide manufacturers with essential insights into industry trends, challenges, and opportunities. It will take place at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium on Tuesday, April 8.
This conference offers a unique opportunity for manufacturers to connect with other leaders from across the industry, ranging from consumer-facing products and heavy industrials to mobility and supply chain. Attendees will come away with valuable perspectives on recent regulatory changes, industry trends and what leading companies are doing to strengthen their position and compete in an evolving marketplace.
“FBT Connect™ Manufacturing will bring together changemakers and visionaries passionate about the future of manufacturing at a critical moment when regulatory, economic and technological developments are having profound impacts on the industry,” said FBT Manufacturing Industry Team Leader & Partner Steven M. Crawford. “From tariffs and supply chain challenges to new energy solutions, participants can look forward to productive and engaging conversations about issues critical to the future of their businesses.”
FBT Connect™ Manufacturing was inspired by Frost Brown Todd’s annual AutoConnect™ conference, founded in 2012 to bring together automotive leaders and explore the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Building on the success of AutoConnect™, FBT Connect™ Manufacturing will provide the same quality of insights while fostering connections and collaboration within the manufacturing sector.
Registration is open to the public. More details and a link to register are available here.
FBT Connect™ Manufacturing 2025 Panels & Programming:
The agenda below is a preview of the topics and select distinguished speakers featured at the event.
- Welcome Remarks: Kerry Byrne, President of Total Quality Logistics (TQL) and proud sponsor of TQL Stadium, will welcome guests to FBT Connect™ Manufacturing. A prominent leader in both the Cincinnati business community and the logistics industry, Kerry has overseen TQL’s growth into the second-largest freight brokerage firm in North America and the 93rd largest privately held company in the U.S.
- Keynote: The Future of Manufacturing – Where Old World & New World Systems Collide: Futurist Thomas Frey explores how machine-to-machine systems are transforming manufacturing into an ecosystem of intelligent, self-optimizing factories, where AI-driven robots and human operators work together to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency, flexibility, and innovation.
- Powering the Industry: Featuring John R. Crockett, III, president and chief development officer for LG&E and KU, and Amy B. Spiller, state president – Ohio and Kentucky for Duke Energy, this panel will discuss how manufacturers can navigate the evolving energy landscape by balancing cost, reliability, and innovation, all while addressing regulatory changes and exploring alternative energy solutions to meet growing demands.
- Nearshoring Outlook: This panel examines the shifts in North American manufacturing with a focus on tariffs, supply chain challenges, infrastructure investment, and the USMCA. It will also shed light on future collaboration and expansion opportunities. Featuring Jay Freeman, vice president and deputy general counsel at CJ Logistics America, alongside transportation and logistics counsel from Mexico City and Canada.
- Regulatory Impacts: This panel will address the challenges and opportunities posed by the new administration’s policy changes, including environmental regulation and the fate of PFAS, tax provisions, and labor and trade policies, along with their impact on manufacturing operations, costs, and competitiveness.