Smart Manufacturing Forum will bring together manufacturers, educators and civic leaders, with an afternoon tour of Clark College’s Advanced Manufacturing Center
OCTOBER 13, 2026 | VANCOUVER, WA — Impact Washington, a statewide nonprofit and transformation partner for Washington manufacturers, will host the Smart Manufacturing Forum in Vancouver, Washington on Monday, Oct. 26. The event will bring together Southwest Washington manufacturers, educators, workforce organizations and government leaders to explore emerging technologies, address workforce challenges and strengthen the region’s manufacturing sector.
Located in Clark County, Vancouver is part of one of Washington's key advanced manufacturing hubs. The county home to approximately two-thirds of the state's semiconductor and related device manufacturing jobs according to the Washington Employment Security Department. The forum will also highlight the region's international manufacturing connections, with welcome remarks from City of Vancouver leaders and diplomatic representatives from Taiwan.
“Southwest Washington has a strong manufacturing base and real potential for growth,” said Kelley Sowards, President and Center Director, Impact Washington. “By bringing together manufacturers with the education, workforce and economic development partners we’re helping businesses access the expertise, resources and connections they need to overcome challenges and build lasting success”
Forum Highlights
- National and state outlook: Nikhil Kalathil, Ph.D., of Carnegie Mellon University will present the latest data on manufacturing output, investment and competitiveness in the U.S. and Washington.
- Local labor market: A regional labor economist from the Washington Employment Security Department will cover hiring demand and talent availability in Southwest Washington.
- Leadership panel: Leaders from Vigor, TigerStop, Schwabe and the SW High-Tech Council will discuss how they adopt new technology, measure return on investment and lead change.
- Workforce panel: Leaders from Workforce Southwest Washington, ESD 112, Washington State University, the Machinists Institute, Lower Columbia College and Clark College will discuss how to build the next generation of manufacturing talent.
“Our manufacturers are the backbone of this region. This forum is an opportunity have meaningful conversations, build new connections and learn from one another to identify practical ways to move forward,” said Maddie Merton, Southwest Washington & Peninsula Region Account Executive, Impact Washington.
After the forum, attendees can join an optional tour of the Clark College Advanced Manufacturing Center in Ridgefield, where education and industry partners are training the next generation of manufacturing workers. Pre-registration is required, and space is limited.
Event Details
- When: Monday, October 26, 2026. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. Event runs from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Where: Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661
- Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1999003607602?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Media: Reporters and photographers are welcome. Photo opportunities include the opening session and panel discussions. Contact Maddie Merton at mmerton@impactwashington.org to arrange attendance and coverage.
About Impact Washington
Impact Washington is a statewide nonprofit and Washington’s NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center. As a transformation partner, Impact Washington helps manufacturers solve operational constraints and build lasting performance through a vetted network of experts and partners. Leveraging public and private resources, the organization helps businesses grow, boost productivity, reduce costs and expand capacity.
For more information, visit www.impactwashington.org.
Media Contact:
Maddie Merton
mmerton@impactwashington.org