Greetings to AMFA members, associates, and friends!

I hope this spring is finding you healthy, happy, and productive.
 
I am thrilled to be back as the president for 2024 and am ready to get to work!!! If you don’t remember I was the AMFA president from 2020 to 2022.
 
The AMFA Board members gathered for a retreat in early February and some exciting things came out of that meeting, including a membership incentive program, as well as plans for the 2024 events.
 
The first big event will be the Northeast Minnesota CTE Teacher Summit and Beverage Tasting Fundraiser to be held on April 24 at Clyde Iron Works in Duluth. The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher Summit will be held from 10:30 am to 3:45 pm followed by the Beverage Tasting fundraiser from 4:00-7:00 pm.
 
The Northeast Minnesota CTE Teacher Summit is intended to close the gap between education and industry. This part of the event features an experienced lineup of speakers that are active in CTE in Minnesota. Manufacturing CTE teachers from high schools and colleges in the Arrowhead region of Minnesota are invited to attend and gain insight on best practices and meet fellow professionals in their field. Manufacturers who would like to get acquainted with local manufacturing CTE instructors are also invited to attend. The annual beverage tasting fundraiser is open to everyone.
 
Following the CTE Teacher Summit AMFA will host the 11^th Annual Beverage Tasting Fundraiser & Social from 4:00-7:00 pm at Clyde Iron Works. This is an important event to raise funds that will benefit manufacturing career awareness in the region. We are currently looking for vendors and sponsors. This is a really fun event in a great atmosphere! Don’t forget to register to attend!

Mark your calendars for the 26th Annual AMFA Golf Social on June 3rd in Cloquet. There are sponsorship packages available. Contact Jenny for more information.

We are very excited to welcome four new members to AMFA: Aluminum Cabinet Co., Lovett Technology, Superior Rock Bits, and Willow River Area School. See more details in the New Member section of the newsletter.
 
Thank you for voting for the 2024 AMFA Board of Directors. The current AMFA Board of Directors includes:
Wade Karnes, AMFA President, Zakobe
Rally Hess, AMFA Vice President, Hibbing Fabricators
Joe Wolff, AMFA Treasurer, Marsh McLennan Agency
Heath Boe, AMFA Director, Minnesota North College
Sandy Bryant, AMFA Director, Revolv Manufacturing
Brad Vieths, AMFA Director, Cirrus Aircraft.
 
Midwest Manufacturers Association, our central office, will be publishing the 2024 Membership Directory in early April. A copy of the directory will be mailed to you. Contact the office for additional copies.
 
2024 Sponsorship packages are also on sale now. Learn more here.
 
We are looking for speakers, manufacturer tours, and sponsors for upcoming meetings. Please contact Jenny with your ideas and information.
 
I would also like to encourage your registration and participation in all our upcoming events. We are here to help you succeed, but we need your help and your participation for us to continue to succeed!
 
Wishing you all the best in 2024 and beyond! We’re in this together!
 
Best Regards,
Wade Karnes,
AMFA President