First workshop set for March 31 in Jeffersonville to support small and mid-sized companies
INDIANAPOLIS – March 4, 2026 – Conexus Indiana, a statewide organization dedicated to strengthening Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries, announced today the launch of the Industry Exchange workshop series, a hands-on learning program designed to help Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) companies navigate technology adoption and corresponding workforce challenges.
The Industry Exchange workshop series open to all Indiana AML companies and brings practical frameworks and peer-to-peer learning to small and mid-sized manufacturing and logistics companies who need actionable guidance on building technology roadmaps, assessing digital readiness and aligning workforce strategy with technology investments.
The series is informed by insights gathered through workshops and direct conversations with small and mid-sized AML companies across Indiana, which revealed that leaders clearly understand the value of digital adoption and Industry 4.0 technologies, but face persistent barriers, including limited internal capacity, competing operational priorities and constrained resources, that slow implementation.
“Most manufacturers know their businesses would benefit from investing in digital tools and automation, but the real challenge is knowing where to start and how to build a roadmap that makes sense for their business,” said Jay Wirts, president and CEO of Conexus Indiana. “The Industry Exchange workshops are designed to move companies from interest to action by providing structured frameworks, real examples from Indiana companies and facilitated problem-solving with peers facing similar challenges.”
Informed by what real Indiana AML companies have actually tried—what worked, what slowed them down and what they wish they would’ve known before they started—the workshops provide practical, repeatable strategies and a structured approach to evaluating, prioritizing and sequencing technology adoption projects. Participants work on their own technology roadmaps and leave with concrete next steps tailored to their company’s capacity, margins and workforce constraints.
The inaugural workshop, “Starting Smart: Building a Tech Adoption Roadmap,” will take place on March 31 in Jeffersonville, hosted in partnership with One Southern Indiana. The session will help manufacturers clarify where to start with technology investments, sequence initiatives realistically and avoid common pitfalls that keep companies stuck in “pilot purgatory.”
“Southern Indiana’s manufacturing community is the backbone of our regional economy, and equipping these companies with practical tools for technology adoption is essential to their continued competitiveness,” said Lance Allison, President and CEO at One Southern Indiana. “We’re excited to partner with Conexus Indiana to bring this resource directly to our manufacturers and help them navigate digital transformation with confidence.”
The March 31 workshop in Jeffersonville is the first in a series that will take place throughout the year at locations across Indiana. By bringing these workshops to different regions, Conexus Indiana aims to make practical technology adoption guidance accessible to manufacturing and logistics companies statewide. The workshops are open to all Indiana AML companies —Conexus membership is not required to attend.
The Industry Exchange workshop series introduces the upcoming Industry Exchange website, which will provide AML leaders with playbooks, case studies and guidance grounded in what Indiana companies have actually implemented.
Registration information and future workshop dates will be available at https://conexusindiana.com/industry-exchange-workshops/
About Conexus Indiana
Conexus Indiana, a branded initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), is dedicated to advancing the Hoosier State’s position as a global leader in advanced manufacturing and logistics. Working closely with industry, academia, and government partners, Conexus Indiana drives workforce development, economic growth, and innovation across the state. For more information, please visit ConexusIndiana.com.
About One Southern Indiana
One Southern Indiana (1si) was formed in July of 2006 as the economic development organization and chamber of commerce serving Clark and Floyd counties. 1si’s mission is to help businesses innovate and thrive in the southern Indiana / Louisville metro area via the three pillars of Business Resources, Economic Development, and Advocacy. For more information on One Southern Indiana, visit www.1si.org.