On July 4, 2026, America will officially celebrate 250 years of independence. But the festivities have already started, with a barrage of local parades, tech activities, educational events and contests across the country, including the Great American State Fair, sponsored by Freedom 250. CEO Keith Krach, a serial entrepreneur and innovator, shares some of the highlights, history and what's next as the country reignites the American spirit.

We sit down with Laura Beckwith, Director of Product Management at Configit, to explore the evolving role of generative AI in manufacturing—and why it's not as simple as plugging AI into existing systems.

Mae Krier has lived an amazing life. She started working at Boeing, riveting the wings of B-17 and B-29 planes during World War II, and has been a fierce advocate for all the Rosies ever since. She's inspired countless girls and women throughout her life, and now—after just turning 100—she's working with Raya Kenney to erect a monument to the Rosies in Washington, D.C.

To learn more about the WWII Women's Memorial Foundation, visit them at wwiiwomenmemorial.org

The R&D Tax Credit is a tax credit that businesses can claim for qualified U.S. research and development spending — things like developing or improving products, processes, formulas, or software.

However, navigating the R&D credit landscape is not without its hurdles. Challenges include identifying qualifying activities on the shop floor, managing the rigorous documentation required for audits, and integrating tax strategy into broader business development goals.

This webinar will review the current updates and opportunities with the R&D tax credit for the manufacturing sector. Our experts will also discuss strategic approaches to identifying high-value opportunities because of the OBBB.

Presenters:

Tim Parrish
CEO
Sagemont

Matt Davenport
Director of R&D Tax Credit Services
Sagemont

Brought to you by: Sagemont

Visit https://advancedmanufacturing.org/webinars for more webinars and an interactive experience with visuals.

SME Media Editor Rachael Thomas and Associate Editor Cary Gitter sit down for an industry update, discussing recent news on the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a visit to Michigan Central and Newlab in Detroit, and the administration's proposed defense budget for 2027.

This is an audio-only recording of our latest episode of Advanced Manufacturing Live. Follow SME Media on LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube to catch our next episode live.

We sit down with SME's chief Manufacturing Officer, Dr. Brett Conner, to discuss the National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy, and what they mean for manufacturers in the United States.

We speak with Alexandra Levit, workforce futurist and founder of Inspiration at Work, and Stephanie Loeck, vice president of strategic development at GPS Education Partners, about their book Make School Work and the growing impact of work-based learning.

The manufacturing industry is transitioning into a new era of additive implementation, from massive automotive-scale builds to ultra-precise micro 3D printing. We dive into the evolving landscape of this technology in our preview of the April 2026 edition of Manufacturing Engineering and Technology, just ahead of RAPID + TCT 2026.