Open the Doors on MFG Day. Give People a Reason to Come Back.
Chris Sund is a Manufacturing Day speaker for plant all-hands meetings, workforce recruiting events, student tours and manufacturing appreciation events. He speaks to the people already on your floor about why their work matters, and to the students and job seekers walking through the door about what a career with you could look like.
When Is Manufacturing Day?
Manufacturing Day, also called MFG Day, is celebrated on the first Friday in October and is organized by The Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, according to Manufacturing.gov. Modern Materials Handling reports that events often continue through the rest of October. In 2026 MFG Day fell on Friday, October 2. In 2027 the first Friday in October is Friday, October 1, 2027.
MFG Day Events Chris Speaks At
Manufacturers use the day in different ways. Chris adapts the message to who is in the room.
Plant All-Hands
A company-wide meeting for every shift, built around the people who make the product. See the all-shift meeting guide.
Workforce Recruiting Events
Open houses and hiring events where you want job seekers to see a place they would be proud to work.
Student Tours & Career Days
A short, energetic talk for students touring the plant, on what is possible when you decide you are capable of more.
Manufacturing Appreciation Events
A lunch, dinner or celebration that thanks your team and the partners who support them.
What the Talk Does for Your Team and Your Pipeline
MFG Day is a recruiting opportunity, but the people you already employ are your best recruiters. When the floor feels valued, it shows on the tour.
Chris has helped scale a fast-growing business and has spent the past decade in healthcare staffing, an industry that lives or dies on hiring and keeping people. His message for manufacturers is practical: the leaders and supervisors on each shift decide whether good people stay, and small, consistent moments of respect matter more than any perk.
- Recognition for the people who make the product
- Why people stay, and what makes them leave
- The supervisor behaviors that shape every shift
- A message for students about their own potential
- Content that works for every role, from the line to the front office
- A natural lead-in to tours, awards or a hiring fair
Where the Talk Fits in Your MFG Day Schedule
Chris will work to your run of show. These are the slots that tend to work best.
Before the Tours
Open the day for employees and guests together, then send everyone onto the floor with the message fresh.
Short Session
For school groups, a tight, energetic talk sized for students that ends before attention drifts.
Repeat Sessions
Plan more than one session so second and third shift hear the same message as days.
Supervisor Workshop
Add a half-day or full-day workshop for supervisors and leads to turn the message into habits.
Proof: Big Rooms and Company-Wide Meetings
Chris opened the Definitive Healthcare sales kickoff for more than 800 people, delivered the keynote at the BeatStars company meeting, and spoke to students and families at the Fremont High School Academic Achievement Award Night.
Chris would be an incredible addition to any live audience. I’ve had the privilege of seeing Chris speak a few times now, including at our company’s Sales Kickoff in front of 800+ people — which he crushed. Each time he finds a unique way to connect with his audience on both a personal and professional level, keeping everyone engaged and attentive.
Chris Sund presented in a very professional manner and related very well to our long-term care providers. He has boundless energy and articulates his ideas very clearly. He promotes employee teamwork, leadership, and strategies for individuals to lead a more enriching and fulfilling life. He was so well received by our providers!
Programs for Manufacturing Day
Each one can be delivered as a keynote, a breakout, or a half-day or full-day workshop.
You Are Capable of More
For all-hands and student audiences. What changes when people decide they are capable of more.
The Power of Small Moments
The CARE framework for the everyday moments on each shift that decide whether people stay.
You Are Capable of More: Leadership
For supervisors and plant leaders who set the tone on the floor.
You Are Capable of a Better Culture
For leadership teams building a culture people recommend to friends, using SPARK.
Who Books a Manufacturing Day Speaker
Related pages: Manufacturing Keynote Speaker · Manufacturing All-Shift Meeting Speaker · Workforce Development Speaker · Labor Shortage Speaker · AI Workshop for Manufacturers
What MFG Day Planners Ask
When is Manufacturing Day 2027?
Manufacturing Day is held on the first Friday in October, according to Manufacturing.gov. In 2027 that is Friday, October 1. Many manufacturers also host events through the rest of October.
Who organizes Manufacturing Day?
The Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. Individual manufacturers, schools and community groups host their own events.
Can Chris speak to students on a plant tour?
Yes. For student groups Chris gives a shorter, energetic talk about potential and possibility that fits before or after the tour.
How do you cover every shift?
Plan repeat sessions in the same day so second and third shift hear the same message as first shift. Chris will work with your shift schedule.
What formats are available?
A keynote, a breakout, or a half-day or full-day workshop. A common pairing is an all-hands keynote plus a workshop for supervisors.
You Are Capable of More
The bestselling, award-winning book behind the talk: an Amazon Bestseller and the 2026 Paris Book Festival winner in the How-To category. It is built on one idea, that most people have far more in them than they are using right now.
Placed in the hands of employees, students or new hires, it gives MFG Day something people take home. Chris can sign copies after the program.
An Operator Who Has Scaled a Workforce
Chris leads operations. He knows what it takes to hire, keep and grow a large workforce because he does it every week.
Chris is President & COO of Uniti Med and GQR Healthcare and COO of Nebula. He helped grow Uniti Med 10x in revenue in two years, earning #3 on the Inc. Regionals list of the fastest-growing companies in the Midwest. The company was named to Fortune Best Workplaces and has earned Best Places to Work recognition across multiple programs.
He is the bestselling, award-winning author of You Are Capable of More, an Amazon Bestseller and the 2026 Paris Book Festival How-To winner, and he writes for Forbes and Inc. Audiences have also seen him on WOWT, 10/11, WFLA’s Bloom, KXAN, KCTV5, WOI and Dakota News Now.
Stages I Have Spoken On
Where Whole Organizations Have Heard Chris
Company meetings, kickoffs and community events where Chris has spoken to everyone in the building.
Definitive Healthcare SKOBoston, MA · 800+ sellersBeatStars Company MeetingMay 2026
Fremont High School Achievement NightAcademic Achievement AwardsPOWER ConferenceOmaha, NEGreater Omaha ChamberLeadership ExchangeMICA Fall Business Meetings2026Also: Manufacturing Keynote Speaker · Multigenerational Workforce Speaker · All Corporate Events · See all speaking engagements →
Bring Chris to Your Manufacturing Day
Tell Chris your date, your audience and what you want MFG Day to do for your team and your hiring. You’ll get a fast, straight answer on fit and availability.
Check AvailabilityResponse within one business day · Speaker kit, bio & headshots