Representatives from manufacturers, academic research laboratories, the federal government and other organizations met on November 3rd and 4th, 2009 in Gaithersburg, Maryland to discuss the drivers that are encouraging companies and industries to introduce and develop manufacturing innovations. Attendees also identified major challenges to current and future manufacturing operations and their concerns for the future of manufacturing, including common challenges such as the availability of raw materials, the likely increased cost of energy, and the changing needs they have for data and data systems, models, standards and measurements.