Kentucky Association of Manufacturers

09/03/2026

Labor Day is a time to reset and refocus. With the UPS® Savings Program, you can streamline your shipping operations and take advantage of exclusive member discounts. Ship smarter today: bit.ly/kamups

08/31/2026

Kentucky industry is coming together in Lexington—and you don’t want to miss it!

Join us October 13–15 at the Central Bank Center for the 2026 Kentucky Industry Conference, bringing together manufacturers, industry leaders, and partners from across the Commonwealth for three days of connection, collaboration, and conversations about the issues shaping Kentucky industry.

This year’s conference will offer valuable insights, meaningful connections, and plenty of opportunities to learn from those moving Kentucky forward.

Don’t wait—register today and make plans to join us in Lexington!

🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/KYIC2026

Metals Innovation Initiative
Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership

08/21/2026

We’re excited to recognize Eli Lilly and Company as a Gold Sponsor of the 2026 Kentucky Industry Conference!

Join us October 13–15 at the Central Bank Center in Lexington for insightful sessions, meaningful connections, plant tours, and opportunities to learn from leaders across Kentucky industry.

Register and reserve your hotel now:
https://kentuckyindustryconference.regfox.com/2026-kentucky-industry-conference

Thank you, Eli Lilly and Company, for helping make the 2026 Kentucky Industry Conference possible!

Metals Innovation Initiative
Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership

08/20/2026

What a great turnout for our 2026 Kentucky Defense & Aerospace Forum at The Olmsted in Louisville on Tuesday!

The strong momentum surrounding Kentucky’s defense and aerospace industries brought together an impressive group of defense and aerospace executives, manufacturers, and partners for a day of meaningful conversations, valuable connections, and a look at the opportunities ahead for this critical sector of the Commonwealth’s economy.

From our keynote with Peter Lengyel, President and CEO of Safran USA to engaging panel discussions and roundtable conversations, we heard insightful perspectives from some of the leading voices in defense and aerospace on Kentucky’s strengths, the challenges ahead, and the opportunities to grow this critical sector. KAM is proud to bring the industry together to connect, collaborate, and help strengthen Kentucky’s position as a national leader in defense and aerospace.

A special thank you to our Gold Sponsor, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), along with our speakers, moderators, panelists, exhibitors, and everyone who helped make the forum a success. We’re excited for what’s ahead!

08/15/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Caroline Scott
Kentucky Association of Manufacturers
Director of Public Relations
502.417.9585
[email protected]

August 14, 2026

BALLARD ELECTED 2026-27 CHAIR OF KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS BOARD

FRANKFORT, KY – The Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) Board of Directors has elected its 2026-27 officers, led by new Chairman Jeremy Ballard, General Manager of the Production Division of Toyotetsu North America in Somerset, KY. Ballard, who also chairs KAM’s Automotive Council, succeeds Kerry Creech, the former President of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in Georgetown, KY. Creech recently retired from Toyota and concluded his service on the board.

“I am gratified by the confidence of my Board colleagues to elect me as chair,” said Ballard, “and fortunate to succeed Kerry Creech, who provided such outstanding leadership to Kentucky’s business community over the past several years as our chairman. I am also excited to be joined by a trio of outstanding business leaders as the new officers of our board as we work with our board and team to strengthen and grow Kentucky’s economy and the economic opportunities that result for Kentucky communities and families.”

READ MORE HERE:

The Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) Board of Directors has elected its 2026-27 officers, led by new Chairman Jeremy Ballard, General Manager of the Production Division of Toyotetsu North America in Somerset, KY. Ballard, who also chairs KAM’s Automotive Council, succeeds Kerry Creech, ...

08/15/2026

🚨 LAST DAY FOR EARLY BIRD PRICING! 🚨

Today is your last chance to save on registration for the 2026 Kentucky Industry Conference!

Join us October 13–15 in Lexington for three days of industry insights, connections, innovation and more.

👉 Register today and save: https://bit.ly/KYIC2026

Don’t miss out! We’ll see you at !

Metals Innovation Initiative
Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership

08/13/2026

🚨 FINAL CHANCE TO REGISTER! 🚨

Don’t miss the 2026 Kentucky Defense & Aerospace Forum on August 18 in Louisville!

Join KAM and Kentucky’s defense and aerospace community for a full day of insightful conversations, industry perspectives, and valuable connections focused on Kentucky’s growing role in defense and aerospace.

⏰ Registration closes tomorrow, Friday, August 14, at NOON!

If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time! Secure your spot and join us for this important conversation.

👉 Register today: https://ow.ly/ShbN50Zz38E

We look forward to seeing you there!

08/12/2026

KYIC 2026 Early Bird Pricing Ends Soon!

Don’t miss your chance to save on registration for the 2026 Kentucky Industry Conference! Early bird pricing ends in just a few days, so now is the time to secure your spot and take advantage of the savings.

Join us October 13–15 in Lexington for three days of valuable insights, industry connections, innovation and more.

👉 Register now through August 15 to save: https://bit.ly/KYIC2026

We’ll see you at !

08/11/2026

Just one week to go! There's still time to register for the Kentucky Defense and Aerospace Forum on August 18.

Don't miss "Next-Gen Manufacturing in Defense and Aerospace: Additive, AI, and Automation," featuring industry leaders at the forefront of advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies:

🔹 Kyle Chism, President, Chism Automation
🔹 Dan Janka, President, Mazak North America
🔹 Dillon Sego, Vice President of Engineering and Sales, CRG Automation
🔹 Benito Trevino, GM, Additive Manufacturing, GE Aerospace

Discover how additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and automation are transforming the defense and aerospace industries—and what these innovations mean for Kentucky manufacturers.

📅 August 18
📍 The Olmsted | Louisville, KY

Thank you to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) for sponsoring this event.

There's still time to secure your spot! Register today: https://bit.ly/4pI5Rui

08/10/2026

What a great KAM Off The Clock in Morehead!

We had a fantastic turnout last week at the Morehead State University Space Science Center for an evening of networking, conversation, and learning more about the incredible and important work happening right here in Kentucky.

A huge thank you to the Morehead-Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and Morehead-Rowan Economic Development Council, Inc. for co-hosting and sponsoring the event with us, and to our additional sponsor, Kenway Distributors and Robert Taylor, for their support.

We also appreciate Morehead State University President, Dr. Jay Morgan, Dr. Ben Malphrus with the Space Science Center, and Jason Slone with the Chamber for helping make the evening such a success.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to bring Kentucky’s manufacturing community together and shine a spotlight on the innovation and impact happening not only in Morehead, but across the Commonwealth!