Education partnerships TMA maintains active collaboration with education providers (St. Patrick's High School partnership; Oakton Community College Advanced Automation program). This indicates a readiness to engage in workforce development initiatives, offering sales opportunities around training, curriculum support, equipment demonstrations, and sponsored programs.

Hands-on training Recent initiative to implement hands-on EDM training in Schaumburg and the accompanying supplier partnerships (MC Machinery) suggest demand for modern manufacturing equipment, software, and training platforms. Potential sales angles include EDM equipment, tooling, maintenance services, and accredited training content.

Funding leverage TMA operates a substantial education foundation and has funded grants to related programs. This opens opportunities to position sponsored R&D, scholarships, and programmatic grants for member companies, expanding access to equipment purchases and certification programs.

Legislative influence TMA published a 2022 Legislative Scorecard highlighting policy gaps affecting manufacturing. This signals potential cross-selling for advocacy, policy analytics platforms, compliance training, and government-relations services that help members navigate and influence pro-manufacturing legislation.

Regional manufacturing network With a 1,000-member Chicago-area network and a focus on precision manufacturing and suppliers, there is a strong audience for member-led events, certification programs, supplier matchmaking, and bundled technology solutions (software, analytics, automation) tailored to mid-sized manufacturers.