(GBMP: Worcester, MA) -- On Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 7–8, hundreds of people, those passionate about lean philosophies and those curious to learn more and get started, will descend upon the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts, for the 5th Annual Northeast Shingo Prize Conference. The lineup of internationally recognized lean experts and authors include David Mann, Steven Spear, David Meier, Jean Cunningham, Preston Smith, William Lareau, Sheriff John Rutherford, and many more lean luminaries.

The theme of the conference this year is “Everybody, Everyday: Creating a Culture of Total Employee Involvement.” Topics include management buy-in, employee empowerment, idea systems, outdistancing your competition, stimulating kaizen thinking, taking office kaizen to the next level, using the Shingo Model to build a lasting transformation, and lean beyond manufacturing.

We are confident that the keynote speakers, panel discussions, break out sessions, networking and sharing opportunities, and the two virtual plant tours will inform and inspire attendees. Even the sponsors were hand-selected to showcase products and services that can help you advance your continuous improvement journey.

It is the goal of the conference that these practical and powerful presentations will provide you and your team with valuable lean knowledge, renewed energy, an expanded network of colleagues, and the impetus to put the resources to good use. As a result, your organization can emerge from these trying economic times more profitable, more globally competitive, and more committed to lean. We envision the northeastern and middle Atlantic United States as a center for lean excellence and a region that sustains a competitive edge.  

Massachusetts Lt. Governor Timothy Murray will be giving welcoming remarks to kick-off the event this year. If you are already on your lean journey or just getting familiar with the effect lean can have on your bottom line, this conference is for you. Whether your company is doing great or is having a tough time in the prevailing economy, this conference is for you. If you work in a 10-person job shop or a 1,000-employee hospital, this conference is for you.

There will be plenty of learning opportunities to re-energize your lean initiative, but you’ll also get to do a lot of networking and hopefully have some fun, too. Don’t delay; make your plans to attend today! Visit www.neshingoprize.org or call (617) 287-7630 to register.