On June 23-24, Hagerman & Company welcomed manufacturing leaders from across the Midwest to Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Itasca, Illinois, for an exclusive Autodesk PLM Workshop focused on helping organizations prepare for the next generation of digital manufacturing.
The two-day event brought together Autodesk experts, Hagerman consultants, and manufacturing professionals to explore how Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), engineering data, and artificial intelligence are reshaping the way manufacturers manage information, streamline processes, and make better business decisions.
While every organization is at a different stage of its digital transformation journey, one theme was consistent throughout the workshop:
Manufacturers who organize and connect their engineering data today will be in the strongest position to leverage AI tomorrow.
The workshop opened with a keynote from Bassanio Peters, Senior Market Development Manager at Autodesk, who shared Autodesk's vision for helping manufacturers move from disconnected engineering data toward an intelligent digital thread.
Rather than viewing PLM as simply another software platform, the discussion focused on creating connected business processes that link engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations. These connected workflows not only improve collaboration and traceability but also establish the structured data foundation needed for future AI initiatives.
For many attendees, the conversation reinforced that digital transformation isn't about replacing existing tools—it's about connecting them.
One of the highlights of the workshop came from Sam Johnson, Director of Research & Development at Jasper Group, who shared how his organization is leveraging Autodesk Vault data alongside artificial intelligence to unlock valuable business insights.
Instead of theoretical discussions about AI, attendees heard practical examples of how structured engineering information can help answer questions faster, improve decision-making, and uncover knowledge hidden within years of engineering documentation.
His presentation demonstrated an important lesson:
AI is only as valuable as the quality and organization of the data behind it.
Throughout the day, attendees participated in discussions around digital maturity and where organizations typically encounter obstacles as they scale.
Hagerman's experts explored topics including:
These conversations helped attendees evaluate where their own organizations are today and identify practical next steps toward more connected operations.
Josh Johnson demonstrated how Autodesk Vault PLM supports the creation and management of Manufacturing Bills of Materials (MBOMs), including the MBOM Editor capabilities.
For manufacturers that struggle to bridge the gap between engineering and production, the session showed how structured PLM processes can reduce manual work while improving visibility throughout the manufacturing lifecycle.
One unique aspect of the workshop was its dual-track format.
Business leaders participated in an executive workshop focused on planning successful PLM implementations, organizational alignment, and implementation strategy, while technical attendees joined an interactive hands-on lab covering BOM management and change management within Autodesk PLM.
This approach allowed each attendee to dive deeper into the topics most relevant to their role while encouraging conversations between technical and executive teams throughout the day.
Some of the most valuable moments happened between presentations.
Whether discussing implementation challenges during breaks, sharing experiences over lunch, or continuing conversations during the evening networking reception, attendees had numerous opportunities to connect with peers facing many of the same manufacturing challenges.
The optional second day provided private executive strategy sessions where organizations could meet one-on-one with Autodesk and Hagerman experts to discuss implementation planning, project roadmaps, and business objectives specific to their organizations.
We'd like to thank everyone who helped make this workshop a success, including our guest speakers from Autodesk and Jasper Group, along with the many customers who shared questions, ideas, and experiences throughout the event.
Events like these reinforce the importance of bringing together industry experts and manufacturers to exchange practical knowledge—not just about software, but about building better business processes.
As manufacturers continue preparing for AI-driven workflows, the importance of well-managed engineering data, connected processes, and modern PLM strategies will only continue to grow.
Because of the strong interest and valuable conversations during the Illinois workshop, Hagerman & Company and Autodesk will bring the Autodesk PLM Workshop to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on September 1, 2026.
If you weren't able to join us in Itasca—or you'd like to bring additional members of your team—we invite you to attend. You'll hear many of the same strategic insights from Autodesk and Hagerman experts while having the opportunity to discuss your organization's unique challenges and goals.
Seats are intentionally limited to encourage meaningful discussion and one-on-one interaction.
👉 Register today to reserve your spot in Bethlehem.