The 2015 International Conference of the Association for Manufacturing Excellence starts early next week in Cincinnati.

More than 2,000 attendees representing the global manufacturing industry are headed to Cincinnati next week to gain knowledge on how to accelerate growth, be more productive, and boost their companies’ bottom lines.

Association:  Association for Manufacturing Excellence

Conference:  AME 2015 International Conference

Venue: Duke Energy Convention Center

Location: Cincinnati

AME 2015 will open on Monday with a day of workshops and networking events, but Tuesday morning’s opening session featuring Jeremy Bout will mark the official start. As the producer and host of Edge Factor, Bout equips educators with resources to inspire students to pursue manufacturing careers. He’ll talk with conference attendees about the next generation of advanced manufacturers. Also worth noting:

A cheer-worthy conference chair. On Thursday afternoon, attendees will hear from honorary conference chair John Ratzenberger, whom TV buffs will remember as mail carrier Cliff Clavin on the 1980s sitcom Cheers. Having traveled to factories in towns across the U.S. for the show Made in America, he’ll discuss the shortage of skilled workers in the country and how it is causing a crisis in the industry.

Idea swap. The Practitioner Idea Exchange Café will be open for interactive sharing of best manufacturing practices. Six facilitated sessions will be offered over three days, including do’s and don’ts when starting the “lean manufacturing” journey and employee engagement methods.

Onsite tours. People often get—or, heck, even steal—their best ideas from seeing others in action. That’s the idea behind the 40 offsite tours being offered during AME2015. Attendees will have the chance watch best practices at places like Mercy Health West Hospital and MillerCoors.

Want to see what else people are saying about the meeting? Head to Twitter (#AMECinci) and LinkedIn.