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Conference
Foundation

The Future of U.S. Manufacturing: Trade, Tech & Talent

Event Details
Jul 23, 2025   – 
Detroit, MI
LIFT Headquarters, 1400 Rosa Parks Boulevard Detroit, Michigan 48216
Event Contact

July 23

Wed, Jul 23  9:00am - 9:30am EDT

Registration

Wed, Jul 23  9:30am - 9:40am EDT

Welcome Remarks

We look forward to welcoming you at LIFT.

Wed, Jul 23  9:40am - 10:30am EDT

Building Resilience: How Technology is Powering the Future of U.S. Manufacturing

As trade policies shift and supply chain disruptions persist, manufacturers are under growing pressure to adapt. In this session, Ben Green from Siemens will share practical, real-world examples of how technology and digitalization are helping manufacturers navigate the challenges of U.S. tariff policies while building more resilient and localized production capabilities.

Ben Green, Siemens Digital Industries

Ben Green

Digital Solutions Architect, Siemens Digital Industries

Ben Green is a Digital Solutions Architect within the Xcelerator Deployment team at Siemens Digital Industries. He is responsible for strategic customer engagements focused on developing digitalization strategies that combine industrial automation, control systems and software solutions across a variety of industries.

Prior to his role within the Xcelerator Deployment team, Ben led the Siemens Industrial Automation Solution Partner Program, managing the Siemens ecosystem of system integrators across the United States. 

Ben has a total of 19 years of industry experience with Siemens in a variety of technically challenging, customer-facing roles, he resides in Dallas, TX, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Distribution from the Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M University.

Wed, Jul 23  10:30am - 11:00am EDT

Networking Intermission

Take a moment to connect with fellow attendees.

Wed, Jul 23  11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Current Outlook on Supply Chain, Trade, and Talent

As global dynamics shift rapidly, manufacturers face a trifecta of transformation impacts—disrupted trade, accelerating technology, and a complex talent landscape. Join Vanessa Miller, a nationally ranked supply chain attorney at Foley & Lardner as she explores how today’s supply chain and trade realities are reshaping the growth and talent strategies manufacturers need for tomorrow. With insights from frontline legal negotiations, industry disruptions, and evolving regulatory risks, she’ll walk through practical frameworks to help operations leaders optimize automation, build resilient supply chains, and prepare their workforce for what’s next. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies and a sharper lens on how policy and production intersect in shaping the factory floor of the future.

Vanessa Miller

Vanessa Miller

Partner, Foley & Lardner

Vanessa Miller is a litigation partner with Foley & Lardner LLP and Chair of the firm’s national Automotive Team, as well as on the advisory committee of the firm’s Manufacturing Sector. She served as a former chair of the Detroit office’s Litigation Department. Vanessa’s practice focuses on a wide array of supply chain disputes, including breach of contract and warranty claims, automotive supply chain issues and maintaining continuity of supply, defending manufacturers against class actions, trade secret misappropriation claims and business torts. Recognized as a nationally ranked top lawyer by Chambers for Transportation: Road (Automotive) for the past two years, showcasing her deep expertise and leadership in the field.

Vanessa has successfully managed, litigated and tried cases in state and federal courts, as well as handled appellate proceedings. She has significant experience handling complex international arbitrations in various venues, including the Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services Inc. (JAMS) and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). Vanessa also has represented clients in commercial mediations, resulting in early resolution of legal disputes and creative business solutions for parties continuing to do business together.

Wed, Jul 23  11:45am - 12:45pm EDT

Lunch

Dine with attendees and catch up on your emails.

Wed, Jul 23  12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT

Tour of the LIFT Facility

Attendees will get a firsthand look at the advanced technologies driving the future of manufacturing. From lightweight metals and materials science to robotics, the latest CNC and welding machines, digital twins, and smart manufacturing systems, the LIFT facility showcases innovations designed to boost U.S. industrial competitiveness. Discover how emerging technologies can help you simulate changes and power your future factories.

Wed, Jul 23  1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT

Roundtable

Big decisions start in small conversations. Dive into topics of the day deeper with fellow attendees.