Advocating for U.S. Manufacturing: Key Takeaways from the USA Manufacturing Hour Chat
It has long been said that manufacturing is the cornerstone of the American economy. In challenging economic times, the industry continues to provide jobs, drive innovation, strengthen communities, and support economic growth. But maintaining a strong manufacturing sector requires more than producing great products—it requires manufacturers and their supporters to speak up for the industry.
That was the focus of a recent USA Manufacturing Hour Twitter chat hosted by Michael Womack of NJMEP in New Jersey. The conversation explored what advocacy means, how it differs from lobbying, the benefits of advocacy, practical ways manufacturers can get involved, and what it takes to make a meaningful impact.
What Does Advocacy Mean?
The chat began with a simple question: What is advocacy?
Participants offered a wide range of perspectives, but several common themes emerged. Advocacy is about supporting something you believe in, educating others, sharing your passion, and taking action.
Dan Bigger described advocacy as “being the light” and sharing that light with others. Erin Courtney captured the idea succinctly: “Advocating = Caring in action.”
Others emphasized the importance of speaking up, representing a cause, educating others, and helping people discover opportunities they may not otherwise know about. David Crysler, for example, connected advocacy with introducing high school students to entrepreneurship, skilled trades, and manufacturing.
For businesses, advocacy can also mean supporting customers, partners, employees, and other organizations. JD from Cleveland Deburring described it as putting clients first and making recommendations based on their success rather than simply increasing the company’s bottom line.
Womack ultimately defined advocacy as speaking publicly about a cause or policy with the goal of building support and encouraging forward-looking action.
Taken together, the responses demonstrated that advocacy isn’t simply about having an opinion. It is about using your voice, knowledge, relationships, and actions to support something you believe can make a difference.
Advocacy vs. Lobbying
The conversation then turned to an important distinction: What is the difference between advocacy and lobbying?
Participants generally viewed advocacy as broader and often grassroots in nature, while lobbying is more specifically associated with influencing government officials and legislation.
As Womack explained, lobbying seeks to influence a public official or politician on an issue and may involve paid individuals or teams working directly to advance a particular position. Advocacy, on the other hand, can be carried out by individuals and organizations without direct funding.
The distinction is particularly important for organizations such as MEP centers, which can advocate for manufacturing while maintaining a bipartisan approach and avoiding lobbying.
One of the biggest takeaways from the discussion was that manufacturers don’t have to be lobbyists to have their voices heard. Organized advocacy can bring attention to issues, demonstrate widespread support, and help policymakers understand the needs of the manufacturing community.
Why Should Manufacturers Advocate?
Advocacy can benefit both individual manufacturers and the industry as a whole.
Participants identified benefits including:
- Increased brand awareness and visibility
- Stronger relationships within the manufacturing community
- Greater credibility and thought leadership
- Improved industry perception
- Employee and workforce recruitment
- New business and partnership opportunities
- Support during a crisis or reputational challenge
- Greater awareness of manufacturing’s contributions
- Opportunities to influence policies affecting the industry
Crysler pointed to relationships as one of the greatest benefits. Those relationships can create opportunities that extend beyond networking and potentially contribute to business growth.
JD highlighted another benefit: advocacy can keep a company’s name associated with positive topics, helping with brand awareness, reputation, and lead generation.
But advocacy isn’t only about promoting an individual company. It can also strengthen the entire manufacturing ecosystem. As Dave Meyer noted, a rising tide can lift all boats. When manufacturers support one another and promote the value of the industry, everyone can benefit.
Womack emphasized that local advocacy can also encourage public officials to recognize the importance of manufacturing and consider policies that support the sector—including workforce development, funding opportunities, and efforts to reduce unnecessary or outdated regulations.
How Can Manufacturers Become Advocates?
The good news is that advocacy doesn’t require a huge budget or a large staff. There are many ways manufacturers can get involved.
Participants suggested:
Get involved in industry organizations.
Joining an MEP center, chamber of commerce, trade association, or other industry organization can provide opportunities to connect with other manufacturers and participate in important conversations.
Share your expertise.
Manufacturers have valuable knowledge and experiences to share. Writing articles, publishing social media content, speaking at events, and participating in online discussions can help educate others about the industry.
Build relationships.
Connect with other manufacturers, educators, policymakers, community organizations, and business leaders. Strong relationships can amplify an individual company’s voice.
Engage with the next generation.
Manufacturing Day events, career fairs, school visits, and partnerships with colleges and trade schools can help students understand the opportunities available in manufacturing.
Participate in your community.
Manufacturers can attend town halls, engage with local government, participate in committees, and become active members of their communities.
Tell your story.
One of the most powerful forms of advocacy is simply explaining what your company does, why it matters, and how manufacturing affects employees, families, customers, and the community.
As Womack noted, developing relationships with chambers of commerce, industry associations, MEP centers, and trade groups can be an important first step. Consistent, organized support can become increasingly influential over time.
Making an Impact
The final question of the chat focused on perhaps the most important issue: How do you actually make an impact?
The answers were remarkably consistent.
Be sincere. Be consistent. Be transparent. Be passionate. Show up.
Courtenay made an especially important point: advocacy can feel like a slog. Just when you think you’re repeating yourself, the people who need to hear the message may only be beginning to listen.
Mechtensimer emphasized the importance of genuine passion. People are more likely to respond when they believe an advocate truly cares about the issue.
Crysler suggested using relevant stories and specific examples to demonstrate how manufacturing has affected people’s lives. Stories can transform an abstract issue into something tangible and relatable.
And Womack brought the conversation back to the power of numbers: showing up in force matters. When many manufacturers and industry supporters speak up around a common issue, policymakers are more likely to recognize that the concern represents a broader constituency.
The Bottom Line
Manufacturing advocacy isn’t limited to Washington, government affairs professionals, or large corporations. Every manufacturer has a voice—and every manufacturer can use it.
Advocacy can start with something as simple as sharing your company’s story, educating a student about manufacturing, supporting another manufacturer, joining an industry organization, attending a community meeting, or speaking publicly about an issue affecting the industry.
The strongest message from the USA Manufacturing Hour conversation was that manufacturers don’t have to advocate alone. By building relationships, sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and consistently speaking up, the manufacturing community can amplify its collective voice.
Manufacturing has an important role in America’s economic future. Advocating for the industry is one way manufacturers, employees, business leaders, educators, and supporters can help ensure that role remains strong for generations to come.
We’re taking this conversation to LinkedIn Live—and we’re looking for hosts! If you’re interested in leading a future #USAMfgHour session, connect with Kirsten Austin on LinkedIn and send her a DM, or give us a call at 314-664-2200 to learn more.
