SFMA turns 2026 annual meeting into a South Florida manufacturing showcase

The South Florida Manufacturers Association will stage its 2026 Annual Meeting + The Made Here Showcase on Nov. 5 in Pembroke Pines, blending product displays, workforce stories, technology demos and networking into one event. SFMA says the format is designed to spotlight local manufacturing, recognize the industry and create pathways into its 2027 programs.

Why it matters: - The reworked annual meeting is meant to make South Florida manufacturing more visible to buyers, partners, workers and policymakers. - SFMA is using the event to connect industry participants with practical technology, workforce stories and future programming. - The association says South Florida manufacturing has generated $3 billion in total impact through the first quarter of 2026.

What happened: - The South Florida Manufacturers Association will host the SFMA 2026 Annual Meeting + The Made Here Showcase on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines. - FPL is presenting the event. - The meeting is built around the theme Made Here. Moving Forward. - The event starts at 4 p.m. with registration, networking and The Made Here Showcase. - Dinner and the Annual Meeting stage program begin at 6 p.m. - The Made Here Plaza Outdoor Finale begins at 7:30 p.m.

The details: - Guests will move through the outdoor Made Here Plaza, lobby experiences and the Great Hall as one connected event. - The showcase will include a curated Made Here Product Gallery. - Workforce stories and recognition will be part of the program. - The Future Floor will focus on automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, quality and advanced manufacturing. - A Manufacturing Impact Wall and Member Map will highlight the association’s reach. - Exhibitor neighborhoods will be organized around five content pillars: Made Here, Powered by People, Built Smarter, Connected Supply Chain and Moving Forward. - The stage program will share manufacturer stories, recognize members of the manufacturing community and introduce SFMA priorities and participation opportunities for 2027. - Registration options include individual tickets, tables of 10, booth-only registration and exhibitor packages that include a booth and two dinner tickets. - Sponsorship opportunities are also available. - Event, registration, exhibitor, sponsorship and participation information is available here. - SFMA reports $3 billion in total impact based on data through the first quarter of 2026, including $2.2 billion in total sales, $587.9 million in total investment, $192 million in cost savings and 14,404 jobs created or saved. - SFMA was founded in 1961 as a nonprofit trade association focused on advocacy, networking, resources, workforce development and regional partnerships.

Between the lines: - The event format suggests SFMA wants attendees to experience manufacturing as a full ecosystem, not just a banquet or speaking program. - The mix of product displays, workforce recognition and technology demos points to an effort to link industry identity with talent recruitment and business development. - The 2027 program push signals that SFMA is using the annual meeting as a pipeline-building moment, not only a celebration.

What's next: - SFMA will use the Nov. 5 event to enroll participants in 2027 programs and expand engagement across manufacturers, suppliers, education partners and regional organizations. - Additional participation opportunities will continue through registration, exhibitor and sponsorship channels. - More information is available at SFMA's annual meeting page.

The bottom line: - SFMA is turning its annual meeting into a live showcase of South Florida manufacturing, with business networking, workforce visibility and future programming all packaged into one event.