COMING UP! DRMA 101 (7/14), Breakfast with DRMA (8/11), and Economic Update (8/20)! Be sure to scroll down to the Events section to find out more.



We have a position opening for Career Outreach Program Specialist at DRMA! With the school year quickly approaching, our application window will close on Monday, 7/13. Click here to review the job description and share with your those who might be a great fit!

MANUFACTURERS: We are evaluating two potential training opportunities Root Cause Problem Solving & Process Improvement (20 hours total, ~$2k/person, covers process mapping, 5 whys, fishbone diagrams, and more) and IPC J-STD-001 Soldering Certification (40 hours total, ~$3k/person, hands on training covering wire and terminal assembly, surface mount technology, testing and inspection methods, and IPC certification testing). Let Shay know if your company would be interested in either program.

Upskill your employees in 2026! Our Lean Manufacturing series, presented by Sinclair's Workforce Development Division, continues with Session #2, Value Stream Mapping, on 7/16. More information here.

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 - Join 300+ attendees as 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!
• Fall Golf Outing - Join 200+ attendees for scramble-format golf and dinner on 9/28 at Miami Valley Country Club.
• Trap Shoot - Join 100+ attendees who come out to participate in this fun event on 10/15 at Wright-Patt Rod & Gun Club! Some sponsorships include shooters; lock in your spot by purchasing a sponsorship today! 

If you’re intrigued about implementing AI into your manufacturing processes, plan to attend Forging the Future: AI in Manufacturing Collider, a free half-day seminar to explore how AI is transforming manufacturing. The agenda features an opening keynote by Dr. Mark Benedict (AFRL); real-world AI manufacturing use cases and applications; expert panels on AI deployment and scaling strategies; and industry demos. You'll leave with practical insights, valuable connections, and new ideas. The event will be held on 7/9, from 1 - 4 p.m. at the Doubletree by Hilton in Fairborn, followed by networking at Wandering Griffin. Agenda, event details and registration, available here.  

THANK YOU BasTech, Inc. for hosting this morning's Government Relations Meet Up with State Rep. Phil Plummer! BasTech welcomed more than 20 fellow members to connect, discuss Representative Plummer's agenda, and highlight the concerns of Dayton Region manufacturers. They also treated members to a tour of their impressive facility, showcasing their innovative 3D printing and advanced manufacturing technologies. DRMA extends its sincere thanks to BasTech, Inc. for their continued support of our organization and the local manufacturing industry as a whole.

Sponsored Content

Join us for the Workforce/HR Meet Up on 8/25, 11 – 12 p.m., virtual! At this this Meet Up, Robert Dunlevey and Marc Fleischauer with Taft Law will discuss practical employment law solutions for DRMA employers. Topics covered include NLRB shifting priorities, AI in hiring and HR decisions, HR policies tune-up and major changes in affirmative action/DEI programs. Register here.

Member exclusive! WorkAdvance, a proven initiative to supplement your recruitment strategies, will bring you quality candidates to fill your manufacturing entry-level positions. The next cohort of candidates will complete training mid-August and will then be ready to hire! Contact Amy to learn more about access to these candidates upon program completion.

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 of students, 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.



Thanks to recent federal policy changes, students can be eligible to receive a Workforce Pell Grant to finance shorter-term education and workforce-oriented training programs – including those in manufacturing. Jobs For the Future has released a new road map to help employers and students understand these changes. DRMA is considering offering a future update as well. Email Amy with questions or your interest in learning more.  

Edison State is seeking employer input on two new software engineering programs they are considering: an Associate degree and a Bachelor degree of Applied Science; both will emphasize modern tools, cloud-native development, security, and deployment practices. The survey will only take about 5 minutes to complete and focuses on hiring needs, credential preferences, and the kinds of technical skills and tools that employers are looking for in candidates. Survey is open through 7/17.

DRMA Government Relations Meet Ups give you the unique opportunity to discuss important policy issues with government officials in a small, focused setting. DRMA welcomes US Congressman Mike Carey to our next Meet Up on 8/27 at 4 p.m. at Harmony Systems & Service in Piqua. Meet Ups are a free event, for members only! Free and for members only! Register here.

Thank you to State Representative Phil Plummer for meeting with our members earlier today to discuss state policies – including workforce. It was a great session!

8/11, 8 - 9:30 a.m., Breakfast with DRMA: From Top Performer to Effective Leader: Rethinking Frontline Promotions, Miamisburg. Enjoy breakfast, chat with your peers, and listen to a long-form panel discussion on a timely, relevant topic that directly impacts your business operations presented by Clark Schaefer Hackett. Register here.

8/20, 2:15 - 6 p.m., Economic Update, Sinclair College, Dayton. Register now to take advantage of the early bird discount – you don’t want to 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.

9/28, 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Fall Golf Outing at Miami Valley Golf Club, Dayton. Registration is open and a handful of spots remain! Join us for this AM and PM shotgun scramble play! You can also sponsor the event and get your company name in front of our 200+ attendees! More details and registration form here.

10/15, 2:30 - 4 p.m., Trap Shoot; & 4 - 5:30 p.m., Happy Hour, Wright-Patt Rod and Gun Club, Fairborn. Presented by Bruns General Contracting and Back to Business I.T., save the date to join your DRMA peers for an afternoon of fun! Registration opens on 8/24 - no experience required! Sponsorships are also available; with only 105 spots, a sponsorship can lock your participation in before registration opens. Contact Susan! Not a trap shooter but want to attend happy hour? Register here.

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

• 8/4, 8 - 9:30 a.m., Manufacturing Operations, TBD. Register here.
• 8/25, 11 - 12 p.m., Workforce/HR, virtual. Register here.
• 8/27, 4 - 5 p.m., Government Relations, Harmony Systems & Service. 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!

• 7/14, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., Waibel Energy Systems, Vandalia (lunch provided).
• 10/8, 8 - 9 a.m., Benjamin Steel Co., Springfield (breakfast provided)

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

Save the Date - Upcoming DRMA Events

12/2/2026 Annual Meeting - NCR Country Club

Community Events

• 7/9, 1 - 4 p.m., Forging the Future: AI in Manufacturing Collider, Fairborn. More information/registration here.
• 7/16, 7:30 - 9 a.m., Miami Valley Safety Council Breakfast, Dayton. More information/registration here. 
• 9/25, 8 - 9 a.m., Ferguson Manufacturing Day, Beavercreek. More information/registration email Chad Mason.