SAMA prepares for annual manufacturing summit

The keynote speaker at the event is Albert Frink, U.S. secretary of Commerce for manufacturing and services. Frink, appointed to the position by President Bush in 2004, opened carpet manufacturing company Fabrica International in Orange County, Calif., in 1974. The company grew from five employees to more than 400 when it was acquired by the Dixie Group in 2000.

In addition to Frink’s speech, the summit also will feature an update on manufacturing-related legislation, and special recognition for state and national legislators who have worked to help the manufacturing industry.

The association also will hand out the first SAMA Summit Awards, recognizing 12 SAMA member companies that have been in business for 30 years or more.

The summit will run 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center. The cost of the event is $25 per person for SAMA members and $30 for nonmembers.

For more information or to register, call the SAMA office at (417) 863-7262 or e-mail rneedham@samamo.org.