NTMA Emerging Leaders Conference Available to NFFS Members

The success of your foundry over the next decade will not be defined by equipment or technology alone. It will be defined by your people. More specifically, by the leaders you are developing today.

That is why NFFS is proud to partner with NTMA on the 2026 Emerging Leaders Conference, taking place April 27–29 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This event is not just another conference. It is a strategic investment in the individuals who will shape your culture, drive your performance, and lead your organization forward.

Why This Matters for Your Business

Foundries across the country are facing the same reality. Workforce challenges are not going away. The companies that will win are the ones that build strong internal leaders who can engage teams, improve retention, and drive productivity.

Sending your emerging leaders to this event accelerates that process.

They will return with practical tools to improve communication, lead teams more effectively, and contribute at a higher level. More importantly, they will come back with a broader perspective. They will see how others are solving similar challenges and bring those ideas into your operation.

This is how improvement happens. Not in isolation, but through shared learning and exposure to new thinking.

The Power of Peer Learning

There is something powerful about getting your next generation leaders out of the day-to-day and into a room with peers who are walking a similar path.

At the Emerging Leaders Conference, they are not just sitting in sessions. They are engaging in real conversations with other up-and-coming leaders from across manufacturing. They are learning what is working, what is not, and how others are navigating leadership challenges in real time.

These are the conversations that stick.

Peer learning creates clarity. It builds confidence. It reinforces that they are not alone in the challenges they face. And it equips them with ideas they can immediately apply back at your foundry.

Build a Network That Lasts

One of the most overlooked advantages of attending this event is the network your leaders will build.

The relationships formed over these three days often become long-term connections. People they can call when they face a new challenge. People they can learn from as they grow in their careers.

Your leaders do not just need training. They need a network.

When they are connected to other driven, forward-thinking professionals, they grow faster. They think bigger. They bring more value back to your organization.

That network becomes a long-term asset for your foundry.

A Return That Goes Beyond the Event

The value of sending someone to Emerging Leaders does not end when they get on the plane home.

• You will see it in how they communicate with their team.
• You will see it in how they approach problems.
• You will see it in how they take ownership of their role as a leader.

This is about building a leadership pipeline that strengthens your operation from within.

It is also about showing your emerging leaders that you are willing to invest in them. That matters. It drives engagement. It builds loyalty. And it reinforces a culture where people want to grow and stay.

A Call to Action for NFFS Members

If you are serious about improving retention, increasing productivity, and building a stronger future for your foundry, this is a simple step you can take.

Identify your next generation leaders. The supervisors, high-potential employees, and rising professionals who are ready for more.

Then give them the opportunity to grow.

Join NFFS and NTMA at the 2026 Emerging Leaders Conference in Grand Rapids, April 27–29.

Because when you invest in your people, you are investing in the long-term success of your business.

Click here for more information and to register.