I have shared before that my letters are often inspired by something that happens or an encounter during the week. This week, I was inspired by a “conversation” with a friend who reminded me what I say all the time, “AME is family.”
YES, AND - I know I get teased sometimes for saying it so often! But I say it because I genuinely believe it. There is something incredibly special about this Association for Manufacturing Excellence community.
We come together to learn, share ideas, improve our organizations, and challenge ourselves to think differently. And somewhere along the way, something even more meaningful happens. We build relationships. We support one another and celebrate each other’s successes. We show up for one another and we became friends.
That is why the AME International Conference always feels a little like a family reunion to me.
Some of us will be reconnecting with people we have known through AME for decades. Others will be joining us for the very first time. Just like a family reunion, there will be familiar faces and new faces, old stories, and new stories, lots of laughter, probably a few hugs, and many opportunities to make connections we didn’t even know we needed.
Our AME family is never finished growing. Every new person who joins us brings a different experience, a different perspective, and something we can learn from. And every one of us has the opportunity to make that person feel like they belong.
So, when we come together at conference, I want to challenge each of us to find someone you don’t know and welcome them. Invite them to join you for coffee. Introduce them to someone and ask about their work. Share what AME means to you. You never know where that one conversation might lead.
The opportunity we have when we come together is incredible. We will learn from one another, open doors for each other, make introductions, share lessons we have learned the hard way, and create connections that may last for years.
Because AME has never just been about tools, processes, or improvement. It is about people. And people are what make a family.
I can’t wait to see you at our AME Milwaukee 2026 International Conference October 26–29 family reunion. And don’t forget to book your Hotel & Travel for AME Milwaukee 2026 Conference at the Hilton Milwaukee.
As always, please stay safe and keep looking out for one another.
