Every year over 700 manufacturers, industry experts and MEP field staff join together to learn and connect, bringing the experience back to their organizations and continuing to build a strong & competitive U.S. manufacturing base. The event truly brings the “voice of manufacturing” and “voice of government” to an open, educational and sharing environment that makes a measurable impact on U.S. manufacturing.

The theme for Manufacturing Innovations 2011 represents MEP’s focus on providing U.S. manufacturers with the information they need on new emerging technologies, partnerships, methodologies and ultimately new business opportunities to ensure profitable growth.

The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 created a new deduction for domestic production activities to be phased in over a 5-year period. For 2005 and 2006, the deduction is based on 3% of the lesser of qualified production activities income or taxable income (adjusted gross income for individual taxpayers) determined without regard to the deduction. For 2007-2009, the deduction percentage rises to 6% and then to 9% for subsequent years. In general, the amount of deduction allowable for any taxable year is limited to 50% of W-2 wages paid by the taxpayer.