The 2026 AMBA Conference, held May 12-14 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, lived up to its “Ideas Ignite!” theme by bringing together mold manufacturing leaders, emerging professionals and industry partners for three days of high-energy learning and connection. From the opening welcome reception and supplier trade fair to the closing awards celebration, the conference delivered a mix of keynote presentations, breakout sessions and peer-to-peer discussions designed to fuel new thinking and actionable ideas.

The conference began with an impactful opening keynote from AMBA Executive Director Troy Nix, whose message emphasized growth, bravery in leadership and the importance of moving forward despite uncertainty. Keynote speakers Mark Scharenbroich and Mike Lee delivered powerful insights on connection, leadership presence and performance under pressure, challenging attendees to rethink how culture, communication and mindset influence company success. Additional sessions explored strategic sales approaches, policy updates from Washington, D.C., leadership development tactics and technology trends in AI, ensuring attendees parted with both inspiration and practical tools.

By the time the conference concluded with recognition of industry leaders and rising stars, it had successfully ignited new ideas!

Tryoy Nix, AMBA Executive Director

What Would a Brave Person Do?
The master of ceremonies for several years now, Troy Nix wears his heart on his sleeve. Known for his spirit and enthusiasm for manufacturing, Nix delivered a keynote on lessons in leadership and how to cultivate a deeper connection with one’s inner self – tapping internally to inspire, motivate and ignite ideas. Attendees grew very quiet as Nix asked the audience, “What would a brave person do?”

In taking conference attendees back in time, Nix shared that he had set a goal for himself two years earlier to step out of his comfort zone and join a jiu-jitsu gym. This is where he began his journey of getting uncomfortable, but with that came small but mighty “voices in his head” that challenged him daily. With the initial goal he had set, Nix also added a second goal: joining a foreign jiu-jitsu gym that would push him beyond his mental and physical limits. As his story unfolded, Nix said, “I told my wife that I was going to the bank, but my telling her that scenario was more about avoidance of where I actually intended to go. As I was sitting in the drive-through line of the bank, I asked myself, ‘What would a brave person do?’” In his time of needing out of this battle the internal voices and external reality, Nix created “Troy’s Warrior Channel,” an Instagram account filled with posts on mindset, attitude and self-improvement.

By taking action within himself, Nix went to the new, foreign gym and found… a community of people just like him:

• People learning.
• People practicing.
• People building camaraderie.

Nix went on to share, “When faced with the unknown, our minds write stories – usually turning the ‘unknown’ into fear.” His message was clear: What would a brave leader do? It is in the conversations one has with oneself that the most important conversations take place. Nix said, “Your life is a series of decisions. It begins with self-talk, because words matter. Sitting in the drive-through line of the bank, I was afraid – until those six or seven words fell out of the sky and my brain said ‘Go!’”

Encouraging the audience, Nix said, “Reframe your mind and ask yourself, ‘What would a brave person do?’

Mark Scharenbroich, Emmy Award winner, hall of fame speaker and author

A simple comment like “Hey, that’s a nice bike” may feel like acknowledgment, but the simplicity of those words often misses the opportunity to engage with the person on what truly matters. Delivering a keynote focused on the power of authentic human connection in business and leadership, Scharenbroich challenged attendees to move beyond quick, surface-level comments and rather have meaningful acknowledgment that builds trust and loyalty.

Framed around real-world experiences and humor, Scharenbroich illustrated how leaders can naturally go to generic praise like “nice bike,” rather than taking a few seconds to notice, understand and value what makes individuals truly different. He demonstrated how intentional connection strengthens teams, improves communication and creates cultures where people feel valued, seen and motivated to contribute at a deeper and higher level. Scharenbroich shared these questions that leaders should ask themselves:

• What about this person’s work stands out uniquely?
• What effort, challenge, etc. went into this achievement?
• How can I acknowledge both the result and the person behind it?

It’s important for leaders to ask those questions because they build trust between leaders and team members, encourage ownership and pride in work, strengthen relationships and create a culture where the workforce feels seen and valued. The bottom line is that if leadership makes small shifts in recognition, they can lead to major shifts within the organization and that’s where real connection begins.

More information: www.nicebike.com

Mike Lee, keynote speaker and author

Opening the door to new ways of thinking, the audience listened intently as Mike Lee challenged traditional views of resilience and introduced a more modern approach centered on “presence.” With the rapid rise of AI, economic uncertainty and more, leaders today face pressure that often leads to burnout rather than growth. Lee shared that sustainable resilience for a person requires an internal shift – moving away from pushing harder and instead developing awareness, adaptability and purposeful leadership.

Drawing from his personal journey of building an international basketball brand from his college apartment while navigating anxiety and depression, Lee connects with the realities leaders face today. Backed by insights from sports psychology, neuroscience and mindfulness, he shares practical strategies designed to help individuals and teams navigate adversity while maintaining clarity, focus and well-being.

Seven takeaways from this keynote included:

1. A new definition of resilience built on presence, not pressure
2. Strategies to avoid burnout during constant disruption
3. Mindset shifts for leading through uncertainty and change
4. Tools rooted in sports psychology, neuroscience and mindfulness
5. Techniques to build purpose-driven and future-focused leadership
6. Practical ways to strengthen individual and team resilience
7. Actionable steps to lead with clarity, confidence and adaptability

More information: www.mindshiftlabs.com

Omar Nashashibi, Inside the Beltway Solutions

Nashashibi delivered a timely and insightful session, keeping attendees tuned in to the shifting currents of US trade and policy. From tariffs on steel molds to the Supreme Court’s review of global reciprocal tariffs, Nashashibi unpacked complex legislative and regulatory developments with clarity. Attendees also gained a clear perspective on trade discussions with Mexico regarding Chinese transshipments, leaving the room better equipped to navigate the Washington landscape and its impact on mold manufacturing.

AI TAKES THE MAIN STAGE: DRIVING WORKFORCE EFFICIENCY
Workforce challenges took center stage during the live main stage panel, “AI on the Shop Floor – The New Era of Workforce Efficiency,” moderated by Christina Fuges of MoldMaking Technology. Panelists explored how artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to reshape mold manufacturing by helping shops capture tenured knowledge, streamline workflows and reduce reliance on hard-to-find skilled labor. The conversation highlighted practical, early-stage applications – from automating quoting processes and documenting set-up procedures to improving scheduling and predictive maintenance, all to increase efficiency without sacrificing operations.

PEER EXCHANGES DRIVE MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS
Back by popular demand, the peer-to-peer exchanges once again proved to be a cornerstone of the AMBA Conference 2026 experience. Designed to foster open dialogue and real-world problem solving, the session brought attendees together in role-based groups to discuss shared challenges and opportunities. Participants engaged in candid conversations across key areas, including operations, owners/presidents/CEOs, sales and marketing and workforce development, creating an environment where ideas and best practices flowed freely.

These focused discussions allowed attendees to connect with peers facing similar day-to-day realities, sparking practical takeaways and new approaches to common industry challenges. From workforce retention strategies to operational efficiencies and sales growth opportunities, the Peer-to-Peer Exchanges reinforced one of the conference’s most valuable outcomes – meaningful connections and actionable insights that attendees could immediately bring back to their organizations.

INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS SPARK ACTIONABLE IDEAS
Mike Lee, owner and leadership coach of Midshift Labs, held an immersive workshop, “Inside High Performance – Human Dynamics that Drive Results,” that set the tone for personal and organizational growth. Through interactive exercises and practical frameworks, Lee challenged participants to rethink how they manage stress, make decisions and build stronger workplace connections.

Sales and marketing professionals gained a practical roadmap for improving pipeline quality during Keith Bradt’s hands-on session, “From Potential to Profit – The Power of Strategic Lead Discovery.” Bradt, owner of Kallen Sales, focused on strategic lead discovery and introduced a clear “Green, Yellow, Red” framework to help attendees evaluate opportunities based on alignment, risk and long-term value. The workshop emphasized moving beyond transactional selling toward strategic partnerships, equipping participants with a repeatable discovery process designed to improve win rates and drive profitable growth.