The Benchmarking and Best Practices Conference will bring together hundreds of plastics professionals to Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 1-3, 2025, to educate and empower them with practical strategies, real-world case studies and actionable insights. With a conference set up to explore the forefront of manufacturing technology and its impact on plastics manufacturing businesses, those in attendance will have a platform for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration and driving the future of manufacturing.
This conference is designed to provide a comprehensive and immersive experience, showcasing the latest breakthroughs in manufacturing processes, automation, industry data, robotics, supply chain management, leadership strategies and more. Through engaging keynotes, interactive breakouts and insightful panel discussions, MAPP’s conference team aims to empower and engage attendees. Whether an industry veteran, a young professional or a business leader, the Benchmarking Conference offers valuable opportunities.
Attendees will have the unique opportunity to explore the latest innovations and time-tested industrial automation technologies in the Automation Hall, where MAPP’s leading experts in this area will showcase their automated solutions. Join the Benchmarking and Best Practices Conference and be part of the conversation that shapes the future of manufacturing. Together, it’s time to explore new possibilities, unlock potential and revolutionize the way the industry designs, produces and delivers products in the digital age.
Agenda
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1
2:30 PM Registration
2:30 PM Emerging Leaders Pre-Con Rising Stars Workshop: Ignite Your Leadership Journey
2:30 PM Professional Development Programming Pre-Con
4:30 PM Building Leaders of Character Alumni Reception
4:30 PM Captiv8 Members Reception
5:30 PM 2025 Champion Pin Pick-up
5:30 PM Automation and AI Hall Opens
5:30 PM Connections Kickoff Reception
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2
6:45 AM Breakfast / Registration
8:00 AM Conference Welcome and Keynote Troy Nix
8:30 AM Keynote Chad Hymas
9:40 AM Networking Break Amongst the Sponsors
10:05 AM Beyond the Buzz: How AI is Reshaping Manufacturing from Strategy to Shop Floor
11:15 AM BC Labs Session One
12:20 PM Lunch and Learn with Keynote Joel Block (ticket-only) OR Networking Lunch
1:30 PM BC Labs Session Two
2:35 PM BC Labs Session Three
3:35 PM Networking Break Amongst the Sponsors
4:05 PM Keynote Joel Block Play to Win or Get Played: Inside the Mind of an Advantage Player®
5:05 PM Innovation Awards Ceremony
5:30 PM Members’ Choice Reception
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3
7:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM Peer to Peer Networking
9:05 AM Networking Break Amongst the Sponsors
9:30 AM BC MASTER CLASS
9:50 AM Keynote Omar Nashashibi, Inside Beltway
10:45 AM Keynote Michael Feuz, ITR Economics
11:40 PM What’s Next?
12:00 PM Conference Adjourned
HOTEL
This year’s event will take place at the Indianapolis Downtown Marriott 350 W. Maryland, Indianapolis, IN 46225.
A room block has been secured for the event. Book at www.mappinc.com/conference.
FEATURING
The Conference team is pleased to welcome the following keynote speakers:
The Conference team is pleased to welcome the following keynote speakers:
Troy Nix, executive director, MAPP
Troy Nix is the executive director of MAPP and serves as the emcee for the 2025 Benchmarking Conference. Known for his spirit, enthusiasm and belief in American manufacturing, Nix delivers an opening address that never fails to spark emotion in each attendee’s inner core. This year’s message will focus on lessons in leadership and the importance of becoming more in tune with one’s inner self, tapping into that internal fuel source to inspire, motivate and overcome obstacles encountered every day. Nix’s tag line, “America Is What America Makes,” is an essential ideal that motivates those attending the conference to strive for excellence.
Chad Hymas
Chad Hymas is an internationally acclaimed speaker, bestselling author and advocate for safety awareness and personal empowerment. Despite a life-altering accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down, Hymas has an indomitable spirit and unwavering determination that has propelled him to inspire audiences worldwide with his powerful message of resilience, leadership and purposeful living. In 2003, Hymas set a world record by wheeling his chair from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Las Vegas, Nevada, an estimated distance of 513 miles. He captivates audiences with his engaging storytelling, profound insights and practical strategies for overcoming obstacles and achieving extraordinary success. His presentations on topics ranging from leadership and team building to safety awareness and leaving a legacy will deliver a lasting impact on individuals and organizations alike, empowering them to unlock their full potential and create positive changes in their lives and communities.
Joel Block
Play to Win or Get Played: Inside the Mind of an Advantage Player®
Joel Block is a former professional blackjack player and card counter. He was a member of one of the most elite teams ever to play the game. Block regularly took money from Las Vegas before heading to that giant casino on Wall Street, where he spent most of his career in venture capital and hedge funds. Block has done over a billion dollars in deals, and what he learned about winning by playing at the top of his game will enable attendees to think, see and act differently so they too can win like an Advantage Player®. Attendees will learn killer strategies, predictive logic and tactical selling moves that put them in control of every game they’re in – especially the ones no one sees. The audience won’t just leave motivated – they’ll leave armed. Play to win.
Joel Block is a former professional blackjack player and card counter. He was a member of one of the most elite teams ever to play the game. Block regularly took money from Las Vegas before heading to that giant casino on Wall Street, where he spent most of his career in venture capital and hedge funds. Block has done over a billion dollars in deals, and what he learned about winning by playing at the top of his game will enable attendees to think, see and act differently so they too can win like an Advantage Player®. Attendees will learn killer strategies, predictive logic and tactical selling moves that put them in control of every game they’re in – especially the ones no one sees. The audience won’t just leave motivated – they’ll leave armed. Play to win.
Omar Nashashibi, The Franklin Partnership
Omar Nashashibi is the founder of Inside Beltway, a nonpartisan lobbying and strategic consulting firm in Washington, D.C. Having worked in the nation’s capital for over 25 years, Nashashibi provides strategic consulting services to companies while also lobbying the White House and Congress on behalf of manufacturing, associations, defense firms, nonprofits and other sectors. He works with policymakers on trade, taxes, environmental and workplace regulations, supply chains, job training and identifying grants and funding to support projects. Having started his career in Washington, D.C. in 1996, Nashashibi worked for the Office of Management and Budget, a branch of the White House, and a large multi-state law firm. He also founded a previous lobbying firm in 2005. He graduated from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he studied Political Science and International Affairs.
Michael Feuz, ITR Economics
A key member of ITR Economics’ team of expert economists and consultants, Feuz contributes to the production of client reports, forecast reviews, economic research and regular client-facing communications. His accomplishments include building, implementing and executing multiple go-to-market plans for technology start-ups, advancing as a national finalist in a public speaking competition and publishing multiple op-eds in major media outlets while working in public relations. Feuz majored in business administration at Franciscan University of Steubenville and earned his master’s degree in economics from George Mason University. Prior to joining ITR Economics, Feuz worked as a technology consultant helping manufacturers, construction companies, oil and gas firms, financial institutions and small businesses enhance their operational efficiencies.
BC LABS
Each BC LAB is designed to equip attendees with indispensable insights, advice and tools to achieve today’s mission-critical priorities and build the successful organizations of tomorrow. Below are the learning tracks for the 2025 Benchmarking & Best Practices Conference LABS:
Each BC LAB is designed to equip attendees with indispensable insights, advice and tools to achieve today’s mission-critical priorities and build the successful organizations of tomorrow. Below are the learning tracks for the 2025 Benchmarking & Best Practices Conference LABS:
- CFOs/Finance/IT
- Engineering/Automation
- Executive Stakeholders/Owners
- Human Resources/Safety
- Operations
- Sales and Marketing
- Senior Leaders (Presidents/VPs)
Sponsors
AEC/Cumberland/Sterling
AMBA
Americhem
Engineered
Compounds
Aurora Material Solutions
Bamberger Amco Polymers
Barnes Group
Bear Industrial Group
Beaumont Technologies, Inc.
Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP
CanonVirginia, Inc.
CAPTIVE Solutions & Options
Chase Plastic
Services, Inc.
Cognition Works
Conair
CyFrame
DELMIAWorks
DeWalt
DME
Engel NorthAmerica
Engineering Industries, Inc.
Federated Insurance
Five Stories
Advisors
Foster Corporation
Frigel
Globeius
Grainger, Inc.
Ice Miller LLP
iD Additives, Inc.
INCOE Corporation
Intouch Monitoring Limited
Kallan Sales
Development
Krevera
LS Mtron
M. Holland Company
Management Recruiters of Tallahassee
MBS Advisors
Michigan CFO Associates
Next Step Communications
PartnerShip
Paulson Training Programs, Inc.
PCS Company
Plante Moran
Plastics Business
Plastics News
PolySource, LLC
Progressive Components
QSI Automation, Inc.
Rapid Purge
Rehmann
ResinSmartPowered by RTi
RJG, Inc.
Routsis Training
Sepro Group
SIGMASOFT®
Virtual Molding
Stout
Techmer PM/Colors For Plastics, Inc.
Techmer PM
Vive, LLC
WayPoint Marketing
Communications
Wipfli, LLP
Wittmann USA, Inc.
X2F
Xact Metal
Yushin America, Inc.