Get Registered
Join us for this important forum to determine how we move beyond the historic data fundamentals and architectures of the past 30 years – to a future marked by enormous innovation and productivity growth. This will be a practical deep dive on the future of OT/IT interoperability for Smart Manufacturing Operations and Supply Chains.
This Summit is a collaborative, international initiative to shine the spotlight on the necessary building blocks, competencies, and capabilities related to modernizing our approach to OT/IT data engineering. We will explore the value, the challenges/risks, and the best practices on the journey to interoperability. We will showcase the capabilities, explore the relevant standards, and unveil how open APIs can unlock the full potential of industrial data and AI at scale!
Join us in Detroit, Cleveland or Chicago as we bring industry leaders together to understand just how important interoperability is on our journey to productivity and competitiveness!
Agenda Highlights Include:
- A Manufacturer’s Perspective – the Strategic Importance and Value of Interoperability
- CESMII’s Smart Manufacturing Imperatives
- The Role of OPC UA in Enabling Interoperability
- Equipment Data Standards and International Alignment with VDMA
- Complimentary Lunch
- Expert Panel on Interoperability – Audience Q&A
- New topics/trends (OPC Cloud, Digital Product Passport, API, Supply Chain, etc.)
- A Demonstration of What Interoperability Looks Like
- Call to Action

Keynote: Detroit
About the Speaker
Jeff Abell
Director, Materials & Manufacturing Systems Research, Global R&D, General Motors (retired) | Clinical Professor of Practice, University of Michigan
Jeff recently retired from General Motors, where he was responsible for global manufacturing research strategy and implementation at GM, focused on vehicle electrification, lightweight systems manufacturing, automation, and smart manufacturing. Jeff led a research team that played a key role in bringing the Chevy Volt's advanced battery to production and has held other leadership positions in product development and manufacturing at GM, Delphi, and DaimlerChrysler, including two international assignments. Abell has written numerous technical publications, been granted several patents, and has a strong track record of successful manufacturing technology implementation. He was twice presented with the Boss Kettering Award, GM's highest recognition for technical innovation. Jeff is now joining the engineering faculty at the University of Michigan, where he will focus his efforts on manufacturing research and the intersection of early-stage and late-stage research with the rapidly evolving needs of industry.

Keynote/Fireside Chat: Cleveland
About the Speaker
Brian Perlstein
Digital Manufacturing Innovation Leader, Owens Corning
Brian Perlstein is the Digital Manufacturing Innovation Leader at Owens Corning, a world leader in insulation, roofing, and fiberglass composites. He is a member of Owens Corning’s Manufacturing Digital Transformation organization focused on identifying and deploying solutions that help drive operational transformation in the manufacturing environment.
Perlstein was appointed to his current role in 2022. With Owens Corning since 2018, Perlstein has worked to advance its digital transformation, leading programs such as the Early Warning Diagnostics process health program, and a strategic initiative to safely empower its workforce with information, knowledge, and expertise by making digital information more accessible through a variety of technologies and approaches.

Keynote: Chicago
About the Speaker
Josh Dotson
Industry 4.0 Capability Leader, Koch Inc
I believe too much potential is left untapped in how most businesses operate. I've built my career challenging assumptions, envisioning better futures, and helping organizations chart practical paths forward.
Today, I’m focused on helping large enterprises rethink how people, technology, and operations come together to drive meaningful change. Real transformation starts with human action — with the tension between what is and what could be — and I’m passionate about helping organizations shape what comes next.
SPEAKERS
Leaders Behind the Insights
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITES
Be part of the movement redefining Smart Manufacturing data infrastructure.
By supporting this summit, your organization will be recognized as a national thought leader helping drive interoperability standards and practices that empower digital transformation across U.S. manufacturing.
Schedule a Meeting to learn more.

Detroit, MI
monday, aug. 25
10:00-4:00PM
Michigan State University
Management Education Center
811 W. Square Lake Rd.
Troy, MI 48098

Cleveland, oh
tuesday, aug. 26
10:00-4:00PM
Tri-C Corporate College East
4400 Richmond Rd
Warrensville Heights, OH 44128

chicago, il
thursday, aug. 28
10:00-4:00PM
Agenda
10:00 Check-in
10:30 Welcome & Setting the Stage
10:45 A Manufacturer’s Perspective – the Strategic Importance and Value of Interoperability
11:30 CESMII’s Smart Manufacturing Imperatives
12:00 The Role of OPC UA in Enabling Interoperability
12:30 Equipment Data Standards and International Alignment with VDMA
1:00 Complimentary Lunch
2:00 Expert Panel on Interoperability – Audience Q&A
2:45 New topics/trends (OPC Cloud, Digital Product Passport, API, Supply Chain, etc.)
3:15 A Demonstration of What Interoperability Looks Like
3:45 Call to Action
4:00 End of Event