Showcasing Modern Manufacturing on MFG Day 2026

Manufacturers know that attracting the next generation of workers is an uphill battle. Many students are completely unaware of the job possibilities in the industry, and those who are often assume manufacturing floors are loud, dirty, and low-tech.  

The Manufacturing Institute’s annual Manufacturing Day is a grassroots movement made to change this perception across the nation. This year, on Oct. 2, manufacturers and their partners across the country will open their doors to students, educators, parents, and other community members to show what modern manufacturing actually looks like. Plant tours, hands-on activities, career conversations, classroom visits, and community events are changing the way a new generation sees the industry.  

MFG Day 2026 is fast approaching, so now is the perfect time to start planning your involvement. MFGday.com is the perfect place to get started. They have webinars that cover event planning and success stories and specialized toolkits for marketing and hosting. Toolkits include logos and other graphics, social media copy, and email templates to help you get the word out.  

Over the next decade, 3.8 million new manufacturing workers will need to be hired in the U.S. Planning an MFG Day event is an opportunity to inspire the next generation, positively shift perceptions about the industry, and build the foundation for the manufacturing workforce of the future.

To learn more about MFG Day, you can reach out to Manufacturing Institute Director of Student Engagement Jen White at MFGDay@nam.org.

Planning to host an MFG Day event? NATM would love to hear about it! Send details to NATM Tracks Magazine Editor Samantha Darling LaCount at Samantha.Darling@natm.com for potential coverage.