Dear M&D members,

We have crossed the midpoint of this term. Here in the United States of America, several holidays and celebrations occurred in recent months. One of those was Thanksgiving. I am thankful for the efforts of your M&D Board and conference track committee. There is plenty to accomplish between now and the annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia during May 31 through June 3 Jun, 2025. Now is when the M&D Board and conference track committee need the most help from you, the M&D members.

In our last newsletter, I stated that “change and volunteerism are significant for this term.” Volunteerism is more than a donation of money, time or talent. It is investing yourself in something that provides a benefit to others. Some may volunteer with the intention of receiving recognition or gaining experience. Others may volunteer to serve others or causes. The result is always beneficial to the volunteer and the recipient. IISE depends on volunteers who tirelessly give of themselves to support the Institute, and advance both Industrial & Systems Engineering. As a student member, I served as the treasurer for our student chapter and regional conference. Years later, I checked ‘yes to volunteer’ on the 2019 M&D Townhall sign-in sheet. That led to the M&D President asking me to serve on the Advisory Board. Having the ability and willingness to give of myself to IISE has provided greater personal benefits beyond paying my annual dues. In turn, I hope you all continue to benefit as well. 

I challenge each of you to volunteer your time and talents to IISE or the M&D Division. Here are some ways to do that now. First, students should be actively involved in their local student or professional chapter. Second, all M&D members can present an IISE podcast or webinar. I know you have valuable topics to share for the betterment of all members. Third, submit an award nomination package to recognize a colleague or yourself. Fourth, professional members can serve on the selection committees for those awards. Fifth, be a session chair at the annual conference. Finally, volunteer to serve on the M&D division or advisory boards during the 2025-2026 term. For more information, contact a M&D board member (https://www.iise.org/Details.aspx?id=1132#m&d), or check the M&D award pages (https://www.iise.org/Details.aspx?id=951#m&d).

Regards,



David Vance, PE

President, IISE M&D Division

The Manufacturing and Design (M&D) Division of the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers (IISE) is sponsoring the M&D Track at the IISE Annual Conference & Expo 2025. The conference is a forum for exchanging knowledge and discoveries in the Industrial and Systems Engineering research and practitioner communities. The IISE Annual Conference & Expo 2025 will continue to integrate research and industry applications under one conference. 

This year, M&D accepted 116 abstracts. We would like to acknowledge the M&D track chairs, co-chairs, and reviewers, who have and will continuously put tremendous efforts into coordinating the paper review and sessions of the M&D track at the 2025 IISE Annual Conference.

As a friendly reminder, paper submissions are due no later than midnight February 9, 2025. Paper decisions will be sent out no later than March 10, 2025. All presenting authors for an abstract must be registered for the conference. The registration deadline for presenting authors is March 23, 2025.