Why attend
Industrials Exchange is where industrial leaders come together to share what’s real, what’s working, and what’s next.
This year, Industrials Exchange will take place at The Event Center at Wrigley Field in lively Wrigleyville, followed by an evening game-day viewing experience at the adjacent Wrigley Rooftops to watch the Cubs vs. Tigers.
- Learn from peers facing similar challenges
- Gain practical insight you can apply immediately
- Engage in thoughtful discussion with industry leaders
- Build connections with a highly relevant, executive‑level audience
Who should attend
Industrials Exchange is ideal for:
- Manufacturing, engineering, and operations leaders
- Digital transformation and IT executives
- Service, aftermarket, and customer support leaders
- Product lifecycle, quality, and innovation leaders
If you are responsible for driving business outcomes in a complex industrial environment, this event is built for you.
Agenda
Every story featured in our agenda will focus on business outcomes from industry, not features and functionality. Final lineup will be confirmed two weeks ahead of the show. Take a sneak peak into what we’ll discuss.
Time
Session
Speakers
9:30 AM
10:00 AM
10:10 AM
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
12:15 PM
1:30 PM
2:15 PM
3:00 PM
3:45 PM
4:30 PM
5:15 PM
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
Welcome Coffee, Demos & Networking
Opening Remarks
Eric Foebel, Engineering Executive Advisor, PTC
Improve Speed, Quality and Costs with PTC’s Intelligent Product Lifecycle
Kevin Wrenn, EVP Products, PTC
PTC’s AI Solutions & Enablement
Ayora Berry, VP AI Product Management, PTC
Increase Design Speed and Quality with Creo Simulation & Model Based Enterprise
Speaker to be named soon
Lunch & Networking
How Managing Requirements Speeds New Product Development
Chris Lougheed, Engineering Manager, Polaris
Digital Transformation Journey Update
Tony Smidl, PLM Manager, Rockwell Automation
Networking and Coffee Break
Trials and Tribulations of an Enterprise PLM Implementation
Speaker to be named soon
How to Increase Aftermarket Revenues and Margins
Jeffrey Artman, KION North America Corporation
More speakers to be named soon
Closing Remarks
Kevin Wrenn, EVP Products, PTC
Depart for Game Viewing Experience at Wrigley Rooftops
Arrive at Wrigley Rooftops All-Inclusive Cubs vs. Tigers Viewing Experience
Meet our speakers
Chris Lougheed
Engineering Manager – Systems Engineering and ALM, Polaris
Chris Lougheed on LinkedInChris leads installation and advancement of Systems Engineering and ALM processes at Polaris across their global Off-Road, On-Road, Powertrain, and Vehicle Electronics Systems (VES) teams. His team focuses on product development productivity and quality through simplified and integrated processes and tools with the emerging support of integrated agentic AI to help teams manage increasing product complexity.
Tony Smidl
PLM Manager, Rockwell Automation
Tony Smidl on LinkedInKevin Wrenn
EVP, Products, PTC
Kevin Wrenn on LinkedInKevin Wrenn is EVP, Products at PTC, where he focuses on strengthening the company’s product leadership by driving deep customer engagement within its vertical-focused model. Throughout his 30-year tenure at PTC, he has held numerous leadership positions across product segments and global services. Under Kevin's leadership, PTC's CAD, PLM, IoT, and AR products have consistently been recognized as industry leaders by analysts since 2019.
In addition to his role at PTC, Kevin serves on the board for Boston University's College of Engineering Product Innovation Center (EPIC). Kevin earned a B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering from Boston University and an M.S. in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Ayora Berry
VP of AI Product Management, PTC
Ayora Berry on LinkedInAyora Berry is Vice President of AI Product Management at PTC, where he works with customers and product teams to drive PTC’s AI strategy, incubate new AI offerings, and build PTC’s centralized AI platform. With 16 years at PTC, Ayora has held diverse roles in product management, design, and enablement. He holds a doctorate and master’s degree in education, along with bachelor’s degrees in biology and history.
Eric Froebel
Engineering Executive Advisor, PTC
Eric Froebel on LinkedInMr. Froebel joined PTC in 2024 after 35 years of experience in the automotive, construction, medical device, electronic and agricultural industries. His experience includes all aspects of digital transformation of global product development and manufacturing organizations across 5 continents.
He has also served on the PTC User and Georgia Southern University Engineering Boards.
As PTC’s Engineering Executive Advisor, he provides guidance internally to PTC and to PTC customers with a focus on product development, manufacturing and service.
Mr. Froebel holds a Bachelors Degree in Engineering Physics from St. Bonaventure University.
Jeffrey Artman
Manager, Advanced Intralogistic Solutions, KION North America Corporation
Jeffrey Artman on LinkedInA Wrigleyville experience designed for connection
The Industrials Exchange takes place in the heart of Chicago's Wrigleyville, just steps from the historic Wrigley Field, offering a setting that encourages learning, dialogue, and meaningful connection beyond a traditional hotel or conference center. After the full day of sessions, we'll head to Wrigley Rooftops — a private, all-inclusive rooftop venue perched directly across from the ballpark with sweeping views of the field and the Chicago skyline, located at 3637 N Sheffield. Settle into open-air rooftop seating at 7:05 pm CDT as the Cubs take on the Detroit Tigers, with food and drinks included throughout the game.
Good to know: Game viewing takes place at Wrigley Rooftops, a private rooftop venue located across the street from Wrigley Field with all-inclusive food and beverage. This is not seating inside the ballpark itself.