FLATE at the 2023 MakeMore Summit

The MakeMore Manufacturing Summit is hosted each year by FloridaMakes to bring together Florida’s manufacturing ecosystem. The Summit is designed to help strengthen Florida's manufacturing sector, including identifying and solving key issues. The MakeMore theme changes each year to reflect the priorities of the manufacturing community, focusing this year on Unleashing Digital Transformation. Summit presentations and panels included Transforming Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturing: Lessons from the Digital Frontier, Engaging National Assets for Technology Adoption, and The Implications of Industry 4.0 in Engineering Technology Education.  The full program can be found here.

The Implications of Industry 4.0 in Engineering Technology Education panel was facilitated by Ernie Friend, Executive Director of FLATE. The panel included:

• Cecilia Larsson, Program Manager/Professor of Engineering Technology at Seminole State College; 
• Shirley Dobbins, Engineering Technology Assistant Professor, Hillsborough Community College; 
• Rod Jaeger, President & CEO, D.C. Jaeger Corporation; and 
• Jeff Kondel, Owner & Executive Director, Roots Education.

The panelists answered a broad range of questions and gave the audience a good perspective on:

• how Industry 4.0 is impacting educational vendors and educators, 
• the challenges in attracting and retaining top talent or new adjuncts and faculty, and 
• how the ET Forum helps address the needs of manufacturers at the state level.

The discussion led to many audience questions and comments during and after the panel. FLATE appreciates the panelist's participation and for bringing their expertise to Florida’s manufacturing community.

FLATE also honored the 2023 FLATE Most Innovative Manufacturing Month Student Event Award at the MakeMore Summit.  Ernie presented the award to the Manufacturers Association of Central Florida (MACF) for their 2022 Made in Central Florida Expo & Student Design & Build Competition.  Donnie Casey, Executive Director, accepted the award on behalf of MACF.  Several MACF officers and manufacturers were also on hand to celebrate the award. FLATE awards recognize outstanding contributions to promote and support technology education and career awareness in manufacturing. 

The 2022 Made in Central Florida Expo featured 27 local manufacturers in the Expo and the design and build student competition impacted over 250 students from across four school districts in Central Florida: Orange County, Lake County, Citrus County and Sumter County. 

Congratulations to MACF!