The Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) will host its 40th annual international conference on October 28-31, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Organized by a large group of volunteers who are passionate about helping manufacturers and other business sectors sustain success through continuous improvement practices, the AME International Conference is the largest lean conference in the world. We are expecting 1,100 in-person participants from over 20 countries.
AN EVENT BY PRACTITIONERS FOR PRACTITIONERS
Reconnect with your fellow practitioners and meet new peers as you share, learn and grow with the best minds in the lean community. AME is a nonprofit association, and the AME conference is organized by a large group of volunteers who are passionate about helping organizations sustain success through continuous improvement practices.
UNPARALLELED NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
The AME International Conference is more than attending great sessions and keynote presentations. It's about connecting with your fellow peers. You'll find plenty of ways to forge those relationships before, during and after the conference. Some of our networking opportunities include the AME-zing Race, Club NuBee, and conference Dine Arounds. Get engaged with the world's largest lean community.
ATTEND IN PERSON OR ON DEMAND
This year, you have the option to attend the conference in person in Atlanta or on demand at your convenience! Those who attend in person will automatically gain access to on demand programming for up to six months after the conference, as permissible by presenters.
CONFERENCE STRUCTURE
KEYNOTES
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday
Hear from inspiring keynotes throughout the week — thought leaders in the areas of innovation, leadership, engagement and continuous improvement.
TOURS
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday
Stay current with new and developing management and operational techniques. At an AME conference, you’re not just hearing about lean — you’re seeing it firsthand. You’ll have the option to choose from a range of best practice facility tours where you will see lean in action. On behalf of our host plants, AME may preclude some attendees from participating in plant tours due to the proprietary nature of some information presented. Attendees may be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before participating in a plant tour. Be sure to review the tour requirements and restrictions before adding a tour to your schedule.
SESSIONS
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday
The depth and breadth of our sessions means that you will always find something relevant — an idea, a concept or a success story. Industry leaders and change advocates will share the knowledge necessary to keep you moving forward. This year, explore as many sessions as you would like live or on-demand and gain insights into a broad variety of topics. Various session styles include:
Practitioner Presentation (45 minutes): 35-minute presentation given by lean practitioners (no consultants) + 10-minute Q&A.
Deep Dive Session (45 minutes): Continuation of a keynote/practitioner presentation + Q&A or session with subject matter experts + Q&A.
Idea Exchange (1 hour): Each session has a different topic for discussion with a facilitator guiding the dialogue. Participants can ask questions of the group and share their ideas and perspectives.
Speed Chat with Experts (1 to 1.5 hours): Panel session with senior leaders/subject matter experts. The first half will feature presentations by panelists + Q&A. The second half will consist of panelists rotating around small groups.
Panel Discussion (45 minutes to 1.5 hours): Panel session with senior leaders/subject matter experts + Q&A (no rotation by panelists).
WORKSHOPS
Monday
Our pre-conference full- and half-day workshops are ideal for those looking to maximize learning on select topics, including value stream transformations, technology, culture, leadership, visual management, kata and more. There is an additional cost for workshops, and advance registration is required. Workshop content will not be available on demand.
EXHIBIT HALL
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday
Exhibitors are strongly aligned with our conference. You don’t become an exhibitor unless your product or service is versed in lean thinking and continuous improvement. Access to the exhibitors is included with your conference registration. AME kicks off the conference with a welcome reception in the exhibit hall on Monday.
NETWORKING
All week
AME Atlanta 2024 will also offer a range of networking opportunities and activities so participants can establish contacts within the industry that last well beyond the conference week. Develop new relationships by connecting with and learning from the best.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM THEMES
DEVELOPING AN EVOLVING WORKFORCE
In a world where things are constantly changing, our workforce is no exception. With more people and a more expansive diversity of people, our workforce is experiencing a big shift. But here's the scoop: we're all in this together, dealing with the same challenge of a changing workforce. We explore how companies are getting ready for this shake-up. Let's dive into how they're helping their teams evolve and adapt in this ever-changing world. Join us to connect with others, learn about these strategies and see how businesses are transforming to tackle the future head-on.
(Keywords: adaptability, continuous learning, agility, reskilling, remote work, digital literacy, flexible work)
CI TOOLS AND CULTURE: CONNECTING THE DOTS
When we benchmark high-performing organizations, we can observe the tools and structures they have put into place, and those tools are seductively simple. It seems we should be able to duplicate those structures and get the same performance, yet we have been implementing these tools for decades. The track record for any kind of sustained performance is poor. What is more challenging to observe is how those structures shape the organizational norms, the structure of the conversations and how people interact – the culture. We want to explore the stories of people using the tools' structure to reshape those interaction patterns and improve how people work together to solve their problems – the actual source of process improvement.
(Keywords: underlying assumptions, espoused values, artifacts, norms, biases, intentions, unintended consequences)
NURTURING THRIVING LEARNING ORGANIZATIONS
Creating a thriving learning organization is about creating a place where everyone grows and learns together. It's about building a space where curiosity is welcomed and people feel supported to learn new things and share their knowledge. When we nurture this kind of environment, we're fostering a culture of growth and development for everyone involved. Join us in creating a workplace where learning flourishes and everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Explore what leaders who are able to nurture and sustain a "thank goodness, it's Monday" organization are doing.
(Keywords: knowledge sharing, continuous learning, feedback loops, systems thinking, open communication, experimentation, mentoring and coaching)
STRIKING A BALANCE: INTEGRATING PEOPLE & AI
Discover how blending technology with human expertise leads to better outcomes. We'll clear up AI myths so you can grasp the concept better. We'll also talk about the risks and chances AI brings for a better future. Let's connect the dots between tech and people, evolve our understanding, and transform how we see AI's potential. We want to help you navigate AI confidently and responsibly for a future full of cool innovations and smart choices.
(Keywords: cost reduction, automation, innovation, regulation, job displacement, privacy concerns, ethics)
COACHING THE PRACTICE OF PROBLEM-SOLVING TOGETHER
Today's workplaces face many new problems. Solving these problems is essential for personal growth and improving work environments. We want to explore how different teams work together to fix things. By telling their stories, we want to show how teams solve problems, create new things, and improve work. It's not just about fixing issues; it's about how solving problems helps people and companies. Let's learn how teams with different skills help each other and make remarkable changes at work!
(Keywords: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, conflict resolution, team dynamics, decision-making)
