COMING UP! Candidate Chat w/ Benjamin McCall (9/16), Workforce/HR Meet Up (9/22), and Candidate chat w/ Zac Haines (9/23)! Be sure to scroll down to the Events section to find out more.

DRMA members are invited to an exclusive, half-day tour of Miami University’s Smart Factory Innovation and Technology (SMART-FIT) Lab on 9/25 from 1 -5 p.m.; cost is $20 and includes transportation to the Oxford campus, tour of the SMART lab, and happy hour. Presented in partnership with the Dayton Development Coalition and Miami University’s College of Engineering and Computing, the tour provides a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge smart manufacturing technology and connect with future talent. Space is limited! Register here.

Now is the time to join DRMA’s workers comp group! Joining a group rating program is the best way for DRMA members to significantly lower their Ohio workers’ compensation premiums. Please contact Julia Bowling to see how our exclusive and endorsed partner, Sedgwick, can save you money.

Couldn’t make it to the Economic Update event? See photos here. The recording of the presentation is available for

purchase. $85 members, $110 non-members. Click here to purchase.

Manufacturers: Watch for your link to complete the Top Issues Survey – coming in early October. We’re changing the survey a bit this year to better understand the issues impacting your business. Please participate so we know your “hot button” issues when talking to policymakers.



Upskill your employees in 2026! Our Lean Manufacturing series, presented by Sinclair's Workforce Development Division, continues with Session #4, Total Preventative Maintenance (TPM), on 11/5. 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.

• 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!
• Annual Meeting - Get your brand in front of 150+ attendees at the DRMA Annual Meeting on 12/2. Lock in your sponsorship today!

Have you taken advantage of the 20% OSHA tuition discount offered to DRMA members? If not, contact Shay and she’ll help you get started! 

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.

The US Navy’s Talent Pipeline Program’s next cohort kicks-off on 9/22 from 11 am – 2 pm at Voice of America in West Chester. The program is supported by the US Navy and is designed to help manufacturers connect with fellow employers, training providers, facilitators, and Navy leadership to discuss challenges, successes, and opportunities around talent acquisition and retention. Following the kickoff event, a reception and submarine tour will be held at the USS Cincinnati from 2:30–3:30 PM. To reserve your seat, register here. 

THANK YOU Bob Dunlevey from Taft Law! Bob is a longtime supporter of DRMA, serving as our legal counsel and offering his services complimentary to members. Most recently, Bob spoke at Workforce/HR Meet Up, drawing in the biggest crowd for the group so far this year! Thank you, Bob, for sharing your legal expertise with the DRMA membership. We appreciate your commitment to our organization and to the Dayton region manufacturing industry as a whole.

Sponsored Content

Have you heard the news? TechCred is back! Applications for the next round of funding will open on 10/1 and run thru 10/30. The TechCred Program provides direct financial assistance for training to help employers develop in-demand technical skills and strengthen talent pipelines. But there are changes with the new framework, namely a sharper focus on technology credentials, updated employer eligibility requirements, an improved training timeline, and a newly developed list of eligible training providers. Credential training must result in a certificate or certification and be completed in less than 12 months, or in programs that are fewer than 900 clock hours or thirty (30) credit hours. For info on the latest round, click here. 

This Month the Workforce/HR Meet Up is hitting the road! Our 9/22 meet up will be in-person over breakfast at Sinclair College’s Centerville Campus. The topic is Attraction & Retention Strategies presented by Tooling U, and time will be available for peer-to-peer networking. Cost is $15 and for members only! Space is limited so priority registration will be given to manufacturers; contact Amy today if you’d like to register.

We have a ton of career events coming up that need volunteers! These events are mission-critical for your company to grow YOUR future workforce AND they are a lot of fun! DRMA staff does all the hard work; your job is to talk one-on-one with students when they come up to our display table. Events are a couple of hours long, no public speaking is required, and talking points will be provided. We’ll send you an email when we have an opportunity, and you will let us know if the location and date work for you. Upcoming events: Fairborn Skyhawk Summit on 9/18 and Made in Miami Co (in Troy) on 9/22. Contact Michelle for more info. 

Member exclusive! WorkAdvance, a proven initiative to supplement your recruitment strategies, will bring you quality candidates to fill your manufacturing entry-level positions. Candidates are ready now to interview! Contact Amy to learn more.

Hosting a student tour to grow your future worker pipeline? Click here to let us know and make sure you sign the MFG Day National Registry! Registering your event is how the Manufacturing Institute tracks and celebrates the full scope of support behind the movement. Be sure to use #MFGDay26 on your social media posts. And, remember to let us know your results here.

Manufacturers needed to meet with juniors and seniors at Northmont HS during the week of 10/26 to 10/29 to talk about careers in manufacturing. Volunteers will be asked to share info about work opportunities and/or apprenticeships available after graduation, as well as insights about jobs and necessary training. If interested in participating, please contact DRMA and we will connect you to Northmont. 

LAST CHANCE: The Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board is seeking input from Montgomery County employers to better understand whether workforce programs and funding are meeting your needs and where improvements can be made. If your business has utilized workforce funding, training grants, or other services, or if you have perspectives on workforce challenges, your feedback is appreciated. Complete the brief survey here. 

Supplement your recruiting strategy by attending the following career and internship fairs:

• Montgomery County Office of Reentry Reverse Career Fair at UD Fitz Center (Dayton), 9/16. Contact Ronnie Gullatte Jr. for more information.
• Fall Career & Internship Fair at Wright State University (Dayton), 9/30. Click here for more details.

You may have noticed all the political ads hitting the airwaves, and that can only mean one thing: elections are coming! DRMA’s Government Relations Committee is holding a series of virtual Candidate Chats to provide you and your colleagues with the opportunity to talk with candidates in a small, focused setting. On the schedule this year are Benjamin McCall, running for Ohio House District 46 (Butler County) on 9/16; Zac Haines, running for Ohio Senate District 7 (Warren County) on 9/23; Rose Lounsbury, running for Ohio House District 36 (Montgomery County) on 9/30; State Rep Andrea White, running for re-election to Ohio House District 36 (Montgomery County) on 10/7; Don Leonard, running for US Congressional District 15 (parts of Clark, Miami and Shelby Counties) on 10/14; Dr. Vanessa Enoch, running for US Congressional District 8 (Butler, Darke and Preble Counties) on 10/21 and State Rep Tom Young, running for re-election to Ohio House District 37 (Montgomery County) on 10/28. Click on each name for more info and to register. As always, Candidate Chats are free and for members only!

9/28, 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Fall Golf Outing at Miami Valley Golf Club, Dayton. Registration is open and only 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., and Makers Supply, join your DRMA peers for an afternoon of fun! Registration is open - no experience required! Contact Susan! Not a trap shooter but want to attend happy hour? Register here.

11/11, 4 - 6 p.m., Shoptalk, Solvita, Kettering. Registration is open! Join us for a little “overtime” after work, enjoying the casual atmosphere while learning something new and networking with your DRMA peers! Register here.

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

• 9/22, 8 - 9:30 a.m., Workforce/HR, Sinclair College's Centerville Campus. Contact Amy to register.
• Candidate Chats

○ 9/16, 4 - 4:45 p.m., Candidate Chat with Benjamin McCall, candidate for Ohio House of Representative - District 46, virtual. Register here.

○ 9/23, 4 - 4:45 p.m., Candidate Chat with Zac Haines, candidate for Ohio Senate - District 7, virtual. Register here.

○ 9/30, 4 - 4:45 p.m., Candidate Chat with Rose Lounsbury, candidate for Ohio House of Representative - District 36, virtual. Register here.

○ 10/7, 4 - 4:45 p.m., Candidate Chat with Andrea White, candidate for Ohio House of Representative - District 36, virtual. Register here.

○ 10/14, 4 - 4:45 p.m., Candidate Chat with Don Leonard, candidate for US House of Representative - District 36, virtual. Register here.

○ 10/21, 4 - 4:45 p.m., Candidate Chat with Dr. Vanessa Enoch, candidate for US House of Representative - District 8, virtual. Register here.

○ 10/28, 4 - 4:45 p.m., Candidate Chat with Tom Young, candidate for Ohio House of Representative - District 7, virtual. 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!

• 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

• 9/10, 10 - 11 a.m., OMA/Workforce: Working with Youth in Manufacturing Webinar. More information and employer registration here.
• 9/16, 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. employer setup), Hobart Institute of Welding Job Fair, Troy. More information and employer registration here.
• 9/16, 12 p.m., Montgomery County Office of Reentry Reverse Career Fair, Dayton. More information/registration email Ronnie Gullatte Jr.
• 9/17, 7:30 - 9 a.m., Miami Valley Safety Council Breakfast, Dayton. More information/registration here. 
• 9/22, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., U.S. Navy Talent Pipeline Cincinnati Kick-Off, West Chester. More information/registration here.
• 9/23, 1 - 3 p.m., Mid Atlantic Machinery Manufacturing in Motion: A Kinetic Experience, Lebanon. More information/registration here. 
• 9/23, 3 - 6 p.m., Mid Atlantic Machinery Manufacturing in Motion: A Kinetic Experience, Maineville. More information/registration here. 
• 9/24, 12 - 4 p.m., Montgomery County Workforce Development Fall Job Fair, Dayton. More information/registration here.
• 9/24, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Material Handling & Safety Expo, hosted by Conveyer & Caster Corp. More information/registration here.
• 9/25, 8 - 9 a.m., Ferguson Manufacturing Day, Beavercreek. More information/registration email Chad Mason.