In October 2017, we traveled to the Pacific Northwest to host our 6th national Gathering alongside Seattle Made. In the heart of Pioneer Square, our two organizations brought together more than 100 manufacturers and manufacturing practitioners to showcase how these businesses are integral to Seattle’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Our trip happened at a historic but uncertain time. As the fastest-growing big city in the U.S., Seattle is striving to manage its tech-led economic boom while also preserving the communities that comprise its diverse, vibrant urban core. Some manufacturers and makers are struggling to stay in the city amid rising real estate costs. Others are thriving and looking for space to expand their operations.

From non-profit real estate developers in Seattle to economic development officials from New York, Gathering attendees descended upon the Emerald City to discuss and debate the ways manufacturing practitioners can help these companies achieve their dreams. They left with new relationships, new strategies, and a first-hand understanding of how promoting locally made goods can be a game changer for local manufacturers.

If you weren’t able to join us, download our Gathering Key Takeaways document to learn more.

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Agenda

Wednesday, October 4th

Welcome Reception

5pm-7pm @ Swift Industries – 558 1st Avenue South #200, Seattle, WA 98104

Join us for drinks and conversation as we kick off the event. Speakers will include representatives from UMA, Seattle Made, and our host, Swift Industries!

Welcome Dinner

7:30pm-9pm @ Girin Korean Ssam Bar – 501 Stadium Pl S, Seattle, WA 98104

Settle into Seattle at Girin, a James Beard Award-winning restaurant, for a family-style meal and drinks.

Thursday, October 5th 

Gathering Day

10am-5pm @ Impact Hub Seattle – 220 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104

Full agenda is:

  • 9:00am – Registration Opens
  • 10:00am – Event Officially Begins; Welcome
  • 10:30am – Keynote Address
    • Hans Maas, RDM Center of Expertise
  • 10:45am – Local Rapid Share Presentations (exact order tbd)
    • Roque Deherrera, City of Seattle
    • Sam Farrazaino, Equinox Development
    • Dave McFadden, Port of Seattle
    • Deborah Vandermar, Seattle Sewn
    • Susanna Schultz, Central Coop
    • John Turnbull, Pike Place Market
    • Jason Petrait, Workforce Development Council
  • 11:45am – Networking Break + Lunch
  • 1:00pm – National Rapid Share Presentations (exact order tbd)
    • Jen Guarino, Shinola
    • Martine Neider, SFMade
    • Armando Moritz-Chapelliquen, ANHD
    • Jamaal Greene, Portland State University
    • Jason Ness, Made in Charlottesville
  • 2:00pm – Networking Break
  • 2:30pm – Discussion Group Breakout Sessions
    • Workforce Development; facilitated by Claire Michaels, SFMade & Bill Ellis, Port of Seattle
    • Land Use Policy & Real Estate Development; facilitated by Leah Archibald, Evergreen Exchange & Roque Deherrera, City of Seattle
    • Local Branding; facilitated by Matt Anthony, Cincinnati Made & Susanna Schultz, Central Co-op
  • 4:00pm – Networking Break + Reconvene
  • 4:30pm – Closing Remarks
  • 5:00pm – Happy Hour

Join us for our main Gathering day to exchange ideas, discuss best practices, and network with your fellow urban manufacturing practitioners.

Friday, October 6th

Manufacturing Tours

9:30-1:00pm – Meet @ Impact Hub Seattle – 220 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104

  • 9:30am – Meet at Impact Hub
  • 9:45am – Depart Impact Hub
  • 10:00am – Arrive at Filson
  • 11:15am – Depart Filson
  • 11:30am – Arrive at Fran’s Chocolates
  • 12:00pm – Depart Fran’s Chocolates
  • 12:15pm – Arrive at Pike Place Market
  • 12:45pm – Folks are on their own for lunch
  • 1:15pm – Optional bus departs for Impact Hub

Round out the conference by visiting some of Seattle’s most iconic manufacturers.

 

Localism creates a strong sense of place, fueling momentum around community partnerships. At UMA, we have found that the success of programs serving the manufacturing sector turn on partnerships at the local level. Those partnerships take many forms—everything from multi-stakeholder coalitions focused on industry revitalization and innovation, to maker spaces joining forces with faith-based institutions, and to high schools and community colleges partnering with area manufacturers to support local apprenticeships. And indeed, it is those kinds of creative partnerships that transform manufacturing growth into broader community development outcomes. Collectively, we will explore the lessons we can learn from one another based on the place-based manufacturing programs that we put into practice each day.

We hope you can join us!