May 2026

Welcome New Members!

BAMA Member Spotlight

How long have you been a BAMA member? I have been a proud BAMA member for a year and a half.
What do you like most about being a BAMA member? What I appreciate most about being a BAMA member is the sense of community. BAMA brings together people who genuinely care about manufacturing, innovation, and helping one another succeed. It has given me the opportunity to learn from experienced leaders, build valuable relationships, and become more connected to the growth of manufacturing in our region.
Tell us about your company. Veterans Plastic is a Port Richey, Florida-based additive manufacturing company providing 3D printing and short-run manufacturing support for government, medical, industrial, and educational customers. We specialize in rapid prototyping, replacement parts, jigs, fixtures, brackets, housings, and other functional components using a range of engineering and specialty thermoplastics. Our focus is on delivering responsive service, practical problem-solving, and quality parts that help customers move efficiently from concept to production.

Upcoming BAMA Events

Overview

Amskills 50th Career Discovery Bootcamp Closing Ceremony

May 29, 2026 10:00 AM

Amskills Workforce Training Center, 4606 Darlington Rd., Holiday FL 34690

[Sold Out] BAMA Academy Leader Confidence Accelerator (session 3 of 4)

June 02, 2026 8:00 AM

AmSkills, Lealman, 5175 45th St N., St. Petersburg, FL 33714

The Connected Manufacturing Experience - Automation

June 11, 2026 11:00 AM

Virtual

[Sold Out] BAMA Academy Leader Confidence Accelerator (session 4 of 4)

June 16, 2026 8:00 AM

AmSkills, Lealman, 5175 45th St N., St. Petersburg, FL 33714

Annual Awards Banquet

June 18, 2026 5:00 PM

Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC, 522 N Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606

The Military Employer Recognition Breakfast (MERB)

September 25, 2026 7:30 AM

Golf Fundraiser

November 13, 2026 8:00 AM

3300 Crescent Oaks BLVD, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688

BAMA Annual Awards Banquet 2026

June 18, 2026 5:00 PM | Glazer Family JCC, 522 N Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606

You are cordially invited to BAMA's Annual Awards Banquet. This event celebrates and awards companies and individuals who have made a difference in the local community through our Manufacturer of the Year and Emerging Leader awards.

This event is a great way to connect with BAMA members and other supporters from the local industry. This will be a night of celebration and accomplishments for Tampa Bay Manufacuring!

Congratulations to the three finalists for our Manufacturer of the Year award: EMI Industries, Align Precision, and Tri-Tronics!

The Connected Manufacturing Experience - Automation

April 30, 2026 11:00 AM | Virtual

This virtual webinar series, focusing on modernizing manufacturing operations, is FREE to BAMA members!

Not a BAMA member? Join today for free access to this series, along with a variety of other industry-relevant resources, or register for this event for a fee.

The third session in The Connected Manufacturing Enterprise series focuses on automation.

AmSkills 50th Career Discovery Bootcamp Closing Ceremony

Join AmSkills in celebrating their 50th Career Discovery Bootcamp at their closing ceremony, recognizing bootcamp participants and homeschool students.

This program supports underserved and marginalized communities by providing accessible technical training relevant to the workforce. We are proud to partner with AmSkills and support such critical programs.

RSVP by May 27th by contacting programs@amskills.org

Military Employer Recognition Breakfast

BAMA is hosting the Military Employer Recognition Breakfast to honor and thank the employers who support our National Guard and Reserve Service members.

If your company employs National Guard and Reserve Service Members, please contact Beth Galic to receive an invitation for the event at beth@bama-fl.org

This event is invitation-only; however, sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations interested in helping BAMA recognize these outstanding employers.

BAMA Highlights & Insights

65 Years of BAMA-

Celebrate with a Sponsorship!

Show your support for the Bay Area Manufacturers Association by becoming one of our 65 companies helping us celebrate our 65 years!

For $65.00, your logo and website link will be featured on our event page, newsletters, emails, press releases, events and at our annual awards banquet.

Thank you to those who have already chosen to sponsor!

Thank you to our current sponsors for this campaign!

Citizens Bank, EAST-WEST ELECTRIC, Universal Missile Defense International, Incorporated, GA Nichols Company, LogoHQ Promotional Products, Mobile Staff Solutions, AMPS Facility Solutions LLP, EOS Worldwide, Adams Corp, Veterans Plastic LLC, Pax Services Group, Align Precision, Align Business Advisory Services, American Metal Machine, OneDigital, Cushman & Wakefield, Big Sur Technologies, McCormick Stevenson, NOW CFO, Seal Dynamics, Hancock Whitney Bank, RP&G, Monin Gourmet Flavors, Southern Manufacturing Technologies, Mastercut Tool Corp., Gilco Spring Of Florida, Advanced Roofing, Inc. - Advanced Green Technologies, Polypack, Stitch Logo, Commercial Partners Realty, TMC- The Mahr Company, CliftonLarsonAllen, Roebuck Technologies, Our Children Have Rights, 3FDM, White House Custom Apparel and Graphics, Elite Staffing Partners, The Bank of Tampa, KASH Tech, Urban Metals, Hubbel / Beckwith Electric, Veterans Metal, Manpower, Saltmarsh, American Momentum Bank, ASQ St. Petersburg-Tampa, Johnson Jackson, Ultimate 3D Printing Store, Eclipse Energy Systems, Trucordia, MVP-Results, and Schooley Mitchell!

Pasco County STEM Fair Winners

Congratulations to Carson and Abhay for being winners of the Pasco County STEM Fair!

Carson's project, focused on deficiencies in wastewater treatment and innovative engineering solutions for pollutant remediation, demonstrated impressive research, technical skill, and creativity in addressing real-world environmental challenges.

Abhay's project, PET2Print, showcased an innovative approach to sustainability by converting recycled PET bottles into 3D printer filament through a custom-built extrusion device. His work demonstrated impressive engineering, problem-solving, and a forward-thinking approach to sustainable manufacturing.

BAMA is always thrilled to see promising students pursuing excellence and innovation in the STEM field!

Events Recap

BAMA Feature on Fox News- Manufacturing workforce report

BAMA President, Beth Galic, was featured on Fox News in a segment discussing the future of manufacturing in Tampa Bay in relation to the new Florida TaxWatch report which warns that an aging workforce could create major labor shortages.

Thank you to Fox for interviewing Beth and spreading awareness about local needs in the manufacturing community!

The Connected Manufacturing Experience - Analytics

Thank you to Kashtech LLC for hosting the second part of the Connected Manufacturing Experience series with BAMA. Attendees learned how analytics is reshaping modern manufacturing.

The conversation went far beyond dashboards and reporting. It focused on how manufacturers are using real-time data, automation, and AI-driven insights to make faster, smarter operational decisions every day.

2026 Florida SBDC at USF Annual Business Awards Luncheon

BAMA enjoyed attending the 2026 Florida SBDC at USF Annual Business Awards Luncheon. Congratulations to all of the award winners!

The Florida SBDC at USF team did a fantastic job hosting a great event celebrating the strength and success of our local business community.

Brews with BAMA at Green Bench Brewing

Thank you to those who joined BAMA at our latest Brews with BAMA event, hosted at Green Bench Brewing! We are always proud to bring together such an engaged and welcoming manufacturing community.

Thank you, Green Bench Brewing, for hosting us!

BAMA General Meeting & Haddy Facility Tour

BAMA members had the opportunity to tour Haddy and get an inside look at how AI-powered additive manufacturing is reshaping the future of production.

Attendees learned about Haddy’s vision for a global network of digitally connected MicroFactories designed to transform regional manufacturing and sustainability, while exploring the innovative technology behind their additive manufacturing process.

A huge thank you to the Haddy team for hosting us and sharing their vision for the future of manufacturing.

BAMA General Meeting & Polk Correctional Institution Facility Tour

BAMA members recently toured Polk Correctional Institution to explore how correctional education and workforce development programs are preparing individuals for careers after release.

Attendees had the opportunity to visit Career and Technical Education programs including HVAC, upholstery, manufacturing and logistics, and work readiness training focused on soft skills, resumes, and mock interviews. The tour offered valuable insight into the impact of hands-on training and second-chance workforce initiatives.

Thank you to the Polk CI team for hosting and sharing the important work being done to develop future talent pipelines.

AmSkills Industry and Talent Connection Night

BAMA had a great time attending the AmSkills, Inc. Industry & Talent Connection Night!

It was exciting to see so many motivated students connecting directly with local employers and exploring real opportunities in manufacturing. Events like this are exactly what our industry needs, bringing awareness, building confidence, and creating clear pathways into high-demand careers.

Our team enjoyed speaking with students about the variety of opportunities within manufacturing and how to stay connected with BAMA as they continue their journey. The level of curiosity and enthusiasm in the room made one thing clear- the future workforce is in great hands.

Thank you to AmSkills for hosting such a meaningful event and to all the organizations that came out to support these students.