National Manufacturing Month is an opportunity to recognize the products, people, skills and partnerships that keep South Florida moving. While National Manufacturing Month celebrates the industry’s achievements, SFMA helps manufacturers turn that energy into relationships, resources and long-term momentum.
Since 1961, SFMA has had one practical mission: saving members time and money through advocacy, networking and resources. We live and breathe manufacturing, supporting companies of every size and vertical. Even when SFMA cannot address a need directly, we connect members with trusted resources that can.
Supporting Manufacturers Where It Matters Most
Joining SFMA comes with numerous benefits, most of which fall into the following categories:
- Networking: Opportunities to build relationships, discuss business opportunities and exchange ideas with peers and partners.
- Advocacy: Working to advance manufacturing policy priorities and pro-manufacturing legislation that benefits members.
- Training: Technical and employability-skills development through onsite and open-enrollment classes.
- FloridaMakes partnership: Access to select free services and specially reduced member rates for services created by manufacturers, for manufacturers.
- Grant assistance: Help securing funding to offset training expenses, including more than $500,000 obtained for members in a single year.
- Workforce development: Onsite and offsite training, job fairs, networking and grant support that help employers strengthen their talent pipelines.
Building the Manufacturing Workforce of Tomorrow
Manufacturing companies need to attract, train and retain the people who power the industry. SFMA brings manufacturers and workforce partners together around real employer needs. Training programs, grant assistance, event-based networking, job fairs and industry connections make workforce development more accessible. We understand that workforce investment is essential to South Florida’s continued manufacturing growth.
Bringing the Community Together Through Signature Events
Along with multiple networking and educational events each month, SFMA puts on three annual signature events to bring the community together and showcase regional accomplishments in the industry.
These events include a Golf Tournament that champions manufacturing education, a Recognition of Excellence Ceremony that showcases the people who make manufacturing work, and an Annual Meeting where manufacturers come together one last time to be recognized and learn about initiatives for the upcoming year. This year, the Annual Meeting has been reimagined as the SFMA 2026 Manufacturing Expo + Annual Meeting, presented by FPL.
What Guests Can Expect at the SFMA 2026 Manufacturing Expo + Annual Meeting
Traditionally, SFMA’s Annual Meeting has consisted of dinner and a stage presentation recognizing members and reviewing upcoming initiatives. This year’s event will take place in three primary event areas: the outdoor Made Here Plaza, interactive lobby experiences and the Great Hall. Attendees will enter through Made Here Plaza before enjoying networking, dinner, industry recognition and the SFMA Annual Meeting stage program. After the stage program, guests will return to the Made Here Plaza for a live demonstration featuring a South Florida-made product or system.
South Florida manufacturing is powered by people, partnerships and a shared commitment to progress. Celebrate National Manufacturing Month by engaging with SFMA, using all of our available member resources and involving more of your teams to take advantage of your company-wide benefits. Register by October 23, 2026, to save your spot at the SFMA 2026 Manufacturing Expo + Annual Meeting, presented by FPL.
