COMING UP! Workforce Shoptalk (5/7), Lunch & Learn webinar (5/19), and Workforce/HR Meet Up  (5/26)! Be sure to scroll down to the Events section to find out more.

The 2026 DRMA Wage and Benefit Survey will launch in early June. Don’t miss out on getting the survey report for free (a savings of $500 for members) – all you have to do is participate! Supplier members: get your name in front of 100+ members, schools, and economic development organizations throughout the Dayton Region by placing an ad in the wage survey report. Contact Shay.

Upskill your employees in 2026! You don’t want to miss these workshops, presented by Sinclair's Workforce Development Division, exclusively for DRMA member companies.

• Lean Manufacturing - This four-part series teaches participants how to implement lean concepts and techniques to make systematic, lasting improvements within their operations. Session #2 is 6/11. More information here.
• GD&T Workshop - SOLD OUT! Learn how to read and interpret engineering drawings and better understand the ASME Y14.5 GD&T standard. Next session runs this fall. Contact Shay to reserve your spot.

Manufacturers! Are you looking for sources to get your light assembly or kit building work done? DRMA is excited to partner with SOCHE and TAC to bring you the Bridging Abilities program: You get your work done, and students with developmental disabilities learn about manufacturing occupations! Even better, SOCHE will pay for at least 50% of the students’ wages! Email SOCHE at soche@soche.org to learn more.

Want to increase your brand exposure and support the DRMA? Get your name in front of attendees by sponsoring one of our upcoming events! Contact Susan for more details.

• Economic Update – Respected economist Connor Lokar is back for this annual event on 8/20. We have several sponsorships available. This is one of our most well attended and highly anticipated events of the year with 300+ attendees!
• Fall Golf Outing – Join 200+ attendees for scramble-format golf and dinner on 9/28 at Miami Valley Country Club.
• Trap Shoot – You’ll get your name and brand in front of 100+ attendees who come out to participate in this fun event on 10/15! Some sponsorships include shooters; lock in your spot by purchasing a sponsorship today!

Looking to get more engaged with DRMA? Do you want to learn more about all that DRMA does and how your business can benefit? Attend the next DRMA 101 and get an overview on all things DRMA! Contact Shay to learn more and reserve your spot.

Make your plans to attend Sinclair's 2026 Digital Transformation Summit, being held 6/8-10 at the Sinclair Conference Center. This annual conference draws over 350 national leaders and researchers in Engineering, Manufacturing, Defense, Aerospace, AI and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). Attendees will hear firsthand about statewide and national initiatives driving research and workforce development in these rapidly evolving digital fields. Information about the benefits of digital thread programs in manufacturing can be found here, while registration details are here. 

Be sure to attend Dayton Business Journal's 2026 Manufacturing Forum – a dynamic gathering designed to inform, connect, and inspire the region's manufacturing community. This year's Forum will be held 6/11 at Sinclair Community College. Attendees will gain valuable insights into regional trends and emerging opportunities, build connections, and discover resources and tools to help manufacturers grow and succeed. DRMA members can receive 25% off the ticket price by using DRMA25off promo code when registering. Registration and additional details found here.

THANK YOU Rick Kremer of Crown Equipment! Rick has been a long-time supporter of our workforce initiatives. In addition to being a regular contributor at our Workforce Meet Ups and volunteer at career events, he also serves on our DRMA Workforce Partnership Committee, all of which go a long way in our mission to promote careers in manufacturing and grow the workforce pipeline. DRMA appreciates and thanks Rick for his commitment to our organization and to the Dayton Region manufacturing industry as a whole. 

Sponsored Content

Join us for the Workforce/HR Meet Up on 5/26, 11 – 12 p.m., virtual! At this this Meet Up, we will discuss Sinclair’s Registered Apprenticeships as a talent strategy for manufacturing. Dani Heeter, Director of Work-based Learning at Sinclair, will break down innovative strategies to recruit, develop, and retain talent in today’s competitive labor market. This session will explore how Registered Apprenticeships can help address workforce shortages, strengthen retention, and build customized talent pipelines while supporting both employer and employee success. Register here. 

Can’t find enough qualified workers? Want to help grow YOUR future workforce? We’re looking for a few people to join our Speakers Bureau. If you are a manufacturer and feel comfortable talking to a small group, this may be the perfect volunteer opportunity for you! We’ll train you on how to conduct an activity that shows students how a concept can be transformed into a flourishing career by simulating the startup of a manufacturing company. Then we’ll work with you to schedule events that match your availability. Contact Amy to learn more.

Upskilling opportunity! Edison State Community College is offering a CNC Mill Programming workshop. This in-person workshop, designed to help CNC employees understand the language and processes used in CNC mill programming, will take place 5/5 – 5/7, totaling 24 hours, at Edison State’s Piqua Campus. For more information or to register, email Brandi Olberding.

Manufacturers: Sinclair Community College needs your input as they consider the development of short, skill-based microcredentials to better align education with workforce needs. This brief online survey should take about 5 minutes to complete and will play an important role in guiding their next steps. Answers will be anonymous and results reported in summary form only. Hurry, the survey closes on 5/7!

Machining and Welding Career-Technical Instructor needed at Kettering Fairmont High School. It is critical that manufacturers support manufacturing training programs; without qualified instructors, schools will not be able to produce employees for you! Encourage recently retired manufacturer colleagues looking to teach the next generation of talent to apply here or contact Nicole Will for details.

SkillsTrac Facilitator (Manufacturing Solutions) instructor needed at Sinclair’s Courseview Campus, Mason. It is critical that manufacturers support manufacturing training programs; without qualified instructors, schools will not be able to produce employees for you! Encourage recently retired manufacturer colleagues looking to teach the next generation of talent to apply here.

DRMA Government Relations Meet Ups give you the unique opportunity to discuss important policy issues with government officials in a small, focused setting. The next Meet Up is with State Representative Phil Plummer on 7/7 at 8 a.m. at BasTech. Free and for members only! Register here.

5/7, 4 - 6 p.m., Shoptalk: Celebrating Workforce Successes, American Testing Services. Registration open! Join us in celebration of DRMA’s workforce initiatives! Networking and drinks will follow a short presentation and member awards. Elevate your support with a sponsorship – contact Susan for more information. Register here.

5/19, 12 - 12:30 p.m., Lunch & Learn Webinar: Manufacturing Business Valuations. Attend this webinar with Sunbelt Business Advisors to learn how buyers value your shop, and what changes the number. Register here.

6/1, 12:30 - 7 p.m., DRMA Summer Golf Outing, Troy Country Club, Troy. SOLD OUT! Presented by Greenpoint Metals, the format is play your own ball with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Proceeds go to the DRMA Foundation and its efforts to develop and retain a skilled workforce for the region’s manufacturing industry. Golf registration might be sold out, but it’s not too late to participate by purchasing a tee sign or cart stuffer giveaway to get your name in front of the 100+ participants! More details here.

6/1, 5 - 7 p.m., Happy Hour, Troy Country Club, Troy. Not able to golf in the outing or just want to have fun networking? Hang out with your DRMA peers on the TCC patio and congratulate the winners of the Summer Golf Outing held earlier in the day. Register here.

6/25, 7 - 11 p.m., DRMA Night with the Dayton Dragons, Dayton. Come join other DRMA members and have a great time as the Dayton Dragons take on the West Michigan Whitecaps – and support the DRMA Foundation as well. For each ticket sold, a contribution is made to the DRMA Foundation. More details here.

8/20, 2:15 - 6 p.m., Economic Update, Sinclair College, Dayton. Registration is open – Register now to take advantage of the early bird discount! Don’t miss our largest event of the year! Presented by KeyBank, listen to an engaging update from one of the country's premier economists, Connor Lokar of ITR Economics. Register here. Contact Susan for sponsorship opportunities.

Meet-Ups - FREE and for members only. Join the conversation!

• 5/26, 11 - 12 p.m., Workforce/HR, virtual. Register here.
• 7/7, 8 - 9 a.m., Government Relations, BasTech. Register here.

DRMA 101 - Whether you are a new member or a seasoned member, kickstart your membership ROI and learn what DRMA does to help you strengthen your business. Contact Shay to sign up!

• 5/19, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., McGohan Brabender, Moraine (breakfast provided).

For more information on any of our events, visit our website.

Save the Date - Upcoming DRMA Events

9/28/2026 Fall Golf Outing - Miami Valley Golf Club

10/15/2026 Trap Shoot - Wright-Patt Rod and Gun Club

12/2/2026 Annual Meeting - NCR Country Club

Community Events

• 5/6, 12 - 4 p.m., Montgomery County Workforce Development Spring Job Fair, Dayton. More information here.
• 5/14, 7:30 - 9 a.m., Miami Valley Safety Council Breakfast, Dayton. More information/registration here. 
• 6/8 - 6/10, Sinclair Workforce Development’s Digital Transformation Summit. More information here.