Hello everyone!

Thank you for joining our Advisory Board. My name is Brandon Conover and I'll be your facilitator for this engagement. I will be joined by my colleagues at Convetit for administrative questions. Together, we will be posing discussion topics, helping everyone stay on topic, drawing out key points, and providing summaries.

In the coming weeks, we will discuss current state of industrial manufacturing and both its near-term and long-term evolution across five major industry segments:
- technology innovation (e.g., semiconductors);
- commodities (e.g., energy products);
- regional processing (e.g., food & beverage);
- R&D intensive industries (e.g., pharmaceuticals, automotive); and
- labor-intensive trades (e.g., apparel, furniture).

We will cover a broad range of topics, including the digital supply chain, novelties in manufacturing capabilities, effects on the global economy, availability of talent and the rise of automation, cost competitiveness, efficiency improvements, public policy, and public-private partnerships.

Participants: You have been invited based on your expertise within some or several areas related to Industrial Manufacturing. We have academics, industry titans, entrepreneurs, and cross-functional experts. We hope you will take this opportunity to explore and consider ideas outside your comfort zone while challenging long-held beliefs in various manufacturing verticals!

Thank you all in advance for your participation - please log in 2 - 3 times each week (or more as you are able) to share your ideas and provide comments for others.

My own background covers several areas connected to manufacturing including machine vision, automation, sensor design and development, prototyping, additive manufacturing, and defense applications. I have facilitated several boards and engagements for Convetit and have found that the best discussion topics are informed by the participants. I will be relying on YOU to help us determine which directions to go once we determine this group's baseline and expectations.

At any time, if you have any questions, feel free to email me directly at blconover@practicalscientific.com.