LAMA Celebrate Manufacturing 2026

Description

Join us for LAMA's Signature Event:  

Celebrating Manufacturing in Minnesota 

and our Brainerd Lakes Area!

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

7:30 - 11:30 a.m.

GLAR Education Room

If you own or manage a business, you probably want to plan for the future, maximize revenue, or fix problems that impede productivity. However, with so many other pressing concerns, who has the time or knows where to start?

Mike Henke understands the unique challenges that businesses face, from managing day-to-day operations to sales and beyond. Mike has been helping businesses for many years with advice and expertise based on professional experience.

Doors open at 7:30 am with a breakfast buffet, and the program begins at 8:15 am

Sponsorships are welcome to help provide this annual celebration of manufacturing in the Brainerd Lakes area. Proceeds go to the LAMA Scholarship Fund, helping our graduating seniors continue their post-secondary education in manufacturing and engineering careers. Contact katie@midwestmanufacturers.com to learn more about sponsorship.

Keynote Address:

Mike Henke, MHI Consulting - Winning the Talent War in Rural and Small Communities 

How do you compete for skilled workers in today’s increasingly difficult labor market? In many rural and small communities, manufacturers are facing challenges with attracting younger workers, retaining dependable employees, overcoming outdated perceptions of manufacturing careers, and competing against larger companies for talent. This session provides great strategies to build a workplace where people want to stay, grow, and recommend others to join. Many recruiting and retention tricks will be shared, but participants will also learn how leadership, workplace culture, career pathways, and community reputation directly impact recruiting and retention. Hear how to be a Preferred Employer in a changing landscape!

Mike Henke, MHI Consulting:  Mike Henke is a national speaker whose passion for building strong teams led to the creation of Mike Henke Inc, and he works with organizations throughout the country in the areas of Leadership Training, Recruiting & Retention, and Positive Workplace Environment.

Featured Speaker:  

Della Ludwig, DEED - Turning Workforce Programs into Talent Pipelines

Della Ludwig has served as a Workforce Strategy Consultant with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) since the team was established almost 10 years ago. She brings more than 20 years of experience in human resources, benefits, and recruiting, with a strong focus on the manufacturing industry. 

In her current role, she works to reduce barriers to employment, build career pathways, and strengthen sector partnerships across a 22-county region in Central and Southwest Minnesota, as well as statewide. Their team is dedicated to connecting key stakeholders with workforce resources and helping businesses develop strategic workforce solutions that promote economic equity and sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving environment. 

Della serves on the board of the Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association and chairs the Program, Education, and Tour of Manufacturing committees. She also contributes to Minnesota’s Governor’s Workforce Development Board through the Drive for 5 initiative, which builds sector partnerships statewide to address workforce needs in high-demand, high-growth fields such as technology, the trades, caring professions, manufacturing, and education; careers that offer family-sustaining wages. Additionally, she is actively involved with her local Chamber of Commerce, where she supports the development of career pathways. 

Della is a strategic collaborator who brings together businesses, schools, and community partners to strengthen career pathways for youth and job seekers. Her presentation will focus on advancing workforce initiatives such as MDE’s Youth Apprenticeship Program, DLI’s Youth Skills Training and Dual-Training Pipeline programs, and DEED’s training and grant opportunities, highlighting how these efforts create stronger talent pipelines and connect students and job seekers to in-demand careers.