The 2026 South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo (SCMCE), the Southeast's premier gathering of manufacturing leaders, has announced Jake Hall, widely known as the "Manufacturing Millennial," as its keynote speaker for the upcoming event at the Greenville Convention Center.

A leading advocate for manufacturing, automation, skilled trades, and workforce development, Hall has built a global following of more than 100,000 industry professionals and generated more than 250 million views across his manufacturing-focused content. Through his work, Hall has become one of the most recognized voices helping reshape public perceptions of modern manufacturing and highlighting the technologies transforming the industry.

Hall's keynote presentation, "The Future of Manufacturing: Technology and the Workforce," will address some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing manufacturers today, including workforce shortages, automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, digitization, and the need to attract and retain the next generation of manufacturing talent.

"Manufacturers are navigating unprecedented change," said Ben Jacobs, content lead of SC Manufacturing Conference & Expo. "Jake Hall has become one of the industry's most influential voices because he understands how technology and workforce development must work together. His message aligns perfectly with the mission of SCMCE—to provide practical solutions, actionable insights, and meaningful conversations that help manufacturers succeed."

The 2026 conference agenda will focus on the issues most impacting manufacturers today, including:

• Workforce development and the skills gap

• Supply chain resilience and economic uncertainty

• Operational excellence and reliability strategies

• Automation, AI, and digital transformation

• Real-world case studies and implementation success stories

In conjunction with the keynote announcement, SCMCE is also opening its Call for Speakers and inviting manufacturing professionals, plant leaders, operations experts, engineers, workforce development specialists, and industry innovators to submit proposals for consideration.

Conference organizers are seeking presentations that move beyond theory and deliver practical, actionable takeaways for attendees. Priority will be given to case studies, lessons learned, measurable results, implementation strategies, and presentations that showcase what is actually working inside manufacturing organizations today.

"We're looking for manufacturing leaders who are willing to share their experiences—the successes, the challenges, and the lessons learned, "Jacobs said. "Our attendees want real-world solutions they can take back to their facilities and implement. If you've developed an innovative approach, overcome a significant challenge, or discovered a strategy that delivers results, we want to hear from you."

The South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo brings together manufacturing executives, plant managers, operations leaders, engineers, maintenance professionals, and solution providers from across South Carolina and the Southeast for two days of education, networking, and business development opportunities.

Speaker submissions are now being accepted.

To learn more about the event or submit a speaker proposal, visit:

https://scmanufacturingconference.com/call-for-speakers/

For additional information about exhibiting, sponsoring, or attending the 2026 South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo, visit:

https://scmanufacturingconference.com/

About the South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo

The South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo is the premier event connecting manufacturing leaders from across South Carolina and the Southeast. The event brings together industry professionals, technology providers, and subject matter experts to address the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of manufacturing through educational sessions, networking opportunities, and an expansive expo floor showcasing the latest products, services, and innovations.