SCBIZ Opens Nominations for 2026 Manufacturing Mavens, Honoring Women Shaping South Carolina’s Manufacturing Future

Winners to be celebrated at the South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo, one of the Southeast’s premier gatherings for manufacturing leaders.

SCBIZ has officially opened nominations for the 2026 Manufacturing Mavens awards program, recognizing the female leaders, innovators, and rising stars making a lasting impact across South Carolina’s manufacturing industry.

Now in its next year of honoring excellence, Manufacturing Mavens shines a spotlight on women driving progress in one of South Carolina’s most vital economic sectors—from plant leadership and operational excellence to workforce development, engineering, and innovation.

Honorees will be celebrated on November 5, 2026, during the South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo at the Greenville Convention Center—one of the Southeast’s premier events uniting manufacturing executives, innovators, and decision makers from across the region.

Key Dates:

Nomination Deadline: July 10, 2026

Application Deadline: July 24, 2026

“South Carolina’s manufacturing industry continues to evolve because of the remarkable leaders helping move it forward,” said Suzanne Huettner-Fischer, managing director of SCBIZ.

“Manufacturing Mavens is about recognizing the women making extraordinary contributions across this industry—from the shop floor to the C-suite—and ensuring their leadership, innovation, and impact are celebrated on one of the region’s biggest stages.”

Last year’s Manufacturing Mavens honorees represented an impressive cross-section of South Carolina’s manufacturing ecosystem, including leaders from organizations such as Nephron Pharmaceuticals, BASF Corporation, Milliken & Co., Trane Technologies, Clemson University, Ritedose, KION North America, AFL, BW Packaging, Dayton Rogers of South Carolina, Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company, T&S Brass and Bronze Works, ZF, and more.

Manufacturing Mavens recognizes women across all levels of the manufacturing industry, including seasoned executives, technical innovators, operational leaders, workforce champions, and emerging professionals whose work is helping shape the future of manufacturing in South Carolina.

As part of the broader South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo, the program offers honorees statewide recognition while placing them among top manufacturing minds and organizations from across the Southeast.

To nominate a Manufacturing Maven or learn more, visit:

SCBIZ Manufacturing Mavens

About SCBIZ

SCBIZ is South Carolina’s statewide source for business news, insights, and events connecting decision-makers across the Palmetto State. Through impactful journalism, leadership programs, and industry events, SCBIZ helps elevate the people and companies shaping South Carolina’s future.