What if the most valuable tool on your shop floor isn’t a machine, but trust? We sit down with Katherine O’Toole of the Kansas City NTMA to unpack how humility, human-powered networking, and a smart partnership with the Missouri Association of Manufacturers sparked a new kind of regional expo—one that actually shortens supply chains, surfaces hidden capabilities, and helps local OEMs meet local suppliers.

Katherine brings a grounded, no-frills perspective shaped by growing up in a family tool-and-die shop. She shares why owning the “connector” role beats chasing perfection, and how the “Who Not How” mindset transformed event planning from a solo grind into a high-impact collaboration. We get into the nuts and bolts of the Kansas City Manufacturing Expo: a kickoff with NTMA’s national president Roger Atkins, two rounds of targeted breakouts for HR, purchasing, engineering, cybersecurity, and leadership, and an expo floor designed for real conversations, not just scans and swag. Small and midsize manufacturers learn to differentiate beyond capability lists, while OEMs discover the speed and clarity of working with suppliers they can visit over lunch instead of flying across time zones.

You’ll hear why abundance beats competition, how local partnerships let shops bid bigger jobs together, and what it looks like to build a culture where people don’t just tolerate each other—they trust each other. Expect practical insights you can use immediately: preparing your booth, clarifying your specialty, walking the floor with a sourcing plan, and turning introductions into purchase orders. It’s a blueprint for resilient, regional manufacturing that values people, proximity, and shared wins.

If you’re ready to meet the partners who will move your work faster and smarter, join us. Subscribe, share this with a colleague who needs a stronger local bench, and leave a quick review to help more builders find the show.

Expo Website: https://www.mamstrong.org/kc-mfg-expo-and-conference
Registration: https://portal.mamstrong.org/eventDetail?id=a0yPo000007tANhIAM
Ryan's LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/circleof5

Catherine O'Toole from Kansas City NTMA joins us to discuss upcoming events designed to strengthen the Midwest manufacturing community through intentional networking and collaboration.

• April 24-25: Joint Chapter Summit with St. Louis NTMA featuring company introductions, economist Chris Kuehl, shop tours, and networking opportunities
• BattleBots KC competition showcasing 26 teams from 16 schools with 250+ students participating
• Women's Manufacturing Day bringing 50 female students together with 25 industry mentors
• Annual golf tournament funding workforce development initiatives (nearly sold out with 33 teams)
• Economic update with DC insider Omar Nashashibi coming May 28
• Collaborative Manufacturing Expo with Missouri Association of Manufacturers planned for October 28-29

Join us for these events to build relationships, grow your regional network, and be part of strengthening the Midwest manufacturing footprint. As Catherine says, "We are stronger together."

From purchasing his first CNC machine with no prior experience to building a successful manufacturing business with 14 machines and 10 employees, Ian shares his journey of calculated risk-taking and growth.

• Starting with a small 1,500 square foot facility and expanding to a 14,000 square foot building
• Learning the complex world of CNC machining through manufacturer support and networking
• Creating systems to replicate knowledge and remove himself from day-to-day operations
• Finding significant company growth during 2020 when many businesses struggled
• Building a professional network through NTMA to overcome the isolation of entrepreneurship
• Developing effective hiring practices through trial and error
• Balancing business growth with family life and keeping work stress away from home
• Manufacturing's biggest threat: young people not knowing the trade exists