SC Manufacturing Conference & Expo returns to Greenville in November

The SC Manufacturing Conference & Expo is coming back to Greenville Convention Center on Nov. 4-5, 2026, with a focus on workforce shortages, supply chain resilience and plant operations. Organizers say the event is the only large-scale manufacturing expo in the Greenville area through 2026 and will feature speakers from Clemson, USC Upstate, Trane Technologies, Boston Whaler and others.

Why it matters: - South Carolina manufacturers are facing three pressure points at once: hiring, supply chain volatility and operational efficiency. - The event is positioned as a regional gathering for manufacturers across South Carolina and the broader Southeast. - Organizers say it is the only large-scale manufacturing expo in the Greenville area through 2026.

What happened: - The SC Manufacturing Conference & Expo will return to the Greenville Convention Center on Nov. 4-5, 2026. - This year’s theme is “Breaking Barriers. Building What’s Next.” - Registration is open at the conference website. - The event will feature manufacturing leaders from across the Southeast.

The details: - The programming centers on three themes: the workforce skills gap, supply chain resilience and operational excellence. - Organizers are also highlighting how AI and other technology are changing all three areas. - Jake Hall, known as “The Manufacturing Millennial,” will keynote on the future of manufacturing, technology and the workforce. - Don Bent of USC Upstate, along with Joanne Wright and Steve Wright of Kinetic Talent, will speak on closing the skills gap. - Amy Sartain of the SC Council on Competitiveness will lead a session on strengthening supply chains with AI. - Dr. Saeed Farahani of Clemson University will speak on modernizing plant operations. - Vijay Gurav, senior industrial engineer at Boston Whaler, will discuss real-world AI implementation. - Rashmi Vadlakonda of Trane Technologies will appear at the SCBiz Women in Manufacturing Awards. - The event will also debut the Operational Excellence in Manufacturing Awards, with nine categories. - The SCBiz Women in Manufacturing Awards will return as part of the program. - The advisory board includes leaders from BASF, KION Group, Isuzu, Trane Technologies and the South Carolina Research Authority.

Between the lines: - The conference is using hard industry numbers to frame the event around immediate business pain points, not broad trend talk. - For workforce, the National Association of Manufacturers and Deloitte/Manufacturing Institute say 77% of manufacturers struggle to find qualified workers, and the industry needs 3.8 million more workers by 2033. - For supply chains, Resilinc and Tradeverifyd say global disruptions rose 38% in 2024, and fewer than 6 in 10 manufacturers can trace materials past second-tier suppliers. - For operations, the National Association of Manufacturers says compliance costs average $29,100 per employee each year, and more than $50,100 for small manufacturers. - The speaker lineup suggests the event is trying to bridge academic research, plant-floor execution and workforce development.

What's next: - The conference will take place over two days in Greenville. - Organizers are pitching the event to manufacturers in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Florida. - The awards programs and speaker sessions will likely be a major draw for attendees looking for practical tactics and industry connections.

The bottom line: - SC Manufacturing Conference & Expo is aiming to be a regional reset button for manufacturers navigating labor shortages, supply chain stress and rising operating costs.