Washington, D.C.—The Coalition for the Future of Manufacturing hosted a forum and fly-in for more than 220 manufacturers from around the country Feb. 10–11 in Washington, D.C.

Presentations by Thomas J. Duesterberg, president/CEO of Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI; Joseph Lagioia of Bearing Point, Inc.; Leo Reddy, CEO and founder of NACFAM; and Ned Hill, professor and scholar of economic development at Cleveland State University all delivered information to attendees within a half-day forum on the critical role of manufacturing and the challenges manufacturers face today. NAM president Jerry J. Jasinowski delivered the Coalition's keynote address.

More than 120 congressional meetings took place the next day, where Coalition members pressed home the group's message to legislators including Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR), Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH), Sen. George Allen (R-VA), and Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO).