About this Event
Hosted by SME Puget Sound Chapter 39 and Edmonds College
Manufacturing is facing a serious skills gap, and the Pacific Northwest is feeling it. As experienced engineers and machinists retire, employers are looking for the next generation of talent with strong technical fundamentals, and GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerancing) is one of the clearest examples. It is one of the most in-demand and hardest to find skills in the industry, and for students and early-career professionals, it is a proven way to stand out when applying for engineering and manufacturing roles.
That's why SME Puget Sound Chapter 39 and Edmonds College are teaming up, in partnership with Women in Manufacturing WA Chapter. Together, we're connecting the region's manufacturing community with students, faculty, and early-career professionals through a full day of learning, career development, and networking.
Join us for The GD&Talk, a regional roundtable bringing together engineers, machinists, quality professionals, inspectors, educators, and students from across the Pacific Northwest. With GD&T as our guiding theme, the day features panels and presentations on CAD, AI in advanced manufacturing, workforce and business development, and real-world use cases from the factory floor. You'll also have the chance to meet companies hiring in manufacturing, ask questions in a low-pressure setting, and build the professional network that leads to interviews.
Students, this is your chance to hear firsthand what employers look for and the skills that will prepare you for your career. Educators and industry professionals, this is a chance to share your experience, learn what's shaping the workforce, and help close the gap together.
All experience levels are welcome, and the mix of perspectives is what makes the day worthwhile.
Details
Date: Thursday, October 15th
Time: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Location: Edmonds College, Woodway Hall, Lynnwood, WA
Space is limited, so grab your spot early. Bring a colleague, bring a student, bring a print you've argued about, and come ready to talk tolerances.
Questions?:
Reach out to the Chair of the SME Puget Sound Chapter 39:
Michelle Wilkins
Agenda
🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:30 AM
Registration & Check-In
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
🕑: 09:10 AM - 10:00 AM
CAD & Metrology
Host: Made Cascade
🕑: 10:10 AM - 11:00 AM
GD&T for Advanced Manufacturing - Edmonds College
Host: Edmonds College
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:10 AM
Welcome from Dr. Amit B. Singh | Edmonds College President
🕑: 11:10 AM - 12:10 PM
GD&T Overview and Benefits | SAE International
Host: Jim Beary, GDTP-S, PMP
🕑: 12:10 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch & Networking Break
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:50 PM
AI in Manufacturing
Host: Edmonds College
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:50 PM
Workforce & Business Development in Advanced Manufacturing
Host: AJAC
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:50 PM
Insights from the Factory Floor: Daily Use Cases for GD&T
Host: Electroimpact
🕑: 04:00 PM - 04:50 PM
Keynote Speaker | BCA Manufacturing Engineering at Boeing
Host: Carlos Rascon Executive Director and Chief Engineer
🕑: 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Networking Social Event
Event venue & nearby stays
Edmonds College, 20000 68th Avenue West, Lynnwood, United States