Emerging Industries: Manufacturing the Future | SATC
About the Event
Advanced manufacturing is one of San Antonio’s most important economic drivers, fueling thousands of jobs across aerospace, construction, and technology sectors. This event takes a hard look at where that momentum is headed.
The third installment of the Emerging Industries Series brings five leaders in manufacturing, robotics, and workforce development together for a panel conversation focused on the decisions and investments that will determine whether San Antonio competes on a global stage.
This is not a keynote or a trade show. It is a focused conversation, open to anyone who wants to understand what San Antonio’s manufacturing ecosystem looks like right now, where the gaps are, and what the next decade could look like if the right moves are made.
Doors open at 4:30 PM. Drinks courtesy of Rebecca Creek Whiskey and Enchanted Rock Vodka.
What the Conversation Will Cover
The panel will work through four areas shaping San Antonio’s manufacturing future:
- The current state of San Antonio’s manufacturing ecosystem — Where the city stands today, what is working, and what infrastructure and investment gaps still need to close.
- The shift toward Industry 4.0 — How automation, robotics, and smart technology are changing what manufacturing looks like in practice, and what San Antonio companies are already doing to adapt.
- Workforce development and talent pipelines — The real challenge in scaling manufacturing is finding and developing the right people. Panelists will discuss workforce strategies, education partnerships, and how San Antonio can build the pipeline the industry needs.
- Cross-sector collaboration and global positioning — No single company or sector builds a manufacturing powerhouse alone. This session explores how partnerships across industries, institutions, and government can position San Antonio as a serious player on the global stage.
Meet the Panelists
Ryan Saavedra
CEO and Founder, Alt-Bionics
Ryan leads Alt-Bionics, a San Antonio-based company developing advanced prosthetic technology. His work sits at the intersection of manufacturing innovation and human impact.
Shaun Edwards
CTO, Plus One Robotics
Shaun brings deep expertise in robotics and automation from one of San Antonio’s most recognized tech companies. Plus One Robotics builds AI-powered robotic systems for logistics and fulfillment operations.
Valerie Molina
HR Manager, Talent Management, Toyota Manufacturing
Valerie leads talent management at one of the region’s largest manufacturing employers, bringing a workforce development perspective grounded in large-scale operations.
Romanita Matta-Barrera
Chief Impact Officer, greater:SATX
Romanita works at the intersection of economic development and community impact, helping shape how San Antonio attracts and retains the companies and talent that drive its economy.
Adam Moore
Finance Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo
Adam brings a capital and financing lens to the conversation, exploring how access to funding shapes manufacturing growth and where financial institutions can play a larger role.
About the Emerging Industries Series
The Emerging Industries Series is a monthly event series co-produced by CNTR/CTY and Tech Bloc. Each installment focuses on one of San Antonio’s frontier industries, bringing together leaders across the private sector, institutions, and city government to move from conversation to action.
Previous installments covered cybersecurity and bioscience. The next event in the series takes place on June 17, 2026, focusing on aerospace.
The full series calendar is available at centercitysanantonio.com.
About the Venue
San Antonio Technology Center is a premium tech campus in San Antonio’s Medical Center corridor, home to biomedical companies, cybersecurity firms, and data-driven businesses that make up the fabric of San Antonio’s innovation economy.
The campus offers private laboratory facilities, on-site data center infrastructure, and building-wide fiber connectivity, making it one of the few commercial facilities in the city where research, technology, and enterprise operations can coexist under one roof.
Hosting this conversation at SATC is not incidental. The companies inside this building are exactly the kind of organizations the Emerging Industries Series exists to support.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The Emerging Industries Series is made possible by the support of:
- Event Host and Sponsor: San Antonio Technology Center
- Series Sponsors: Rogers-O’Brien Construction, Wells Fargo, Irys, WelcomeTech
- Drinks Sponsor: Rebecca Creek Distillery (Rebecca Creek Whiskey and Enchanted Rock Vodka)
- Community Partners: UT Health San Antonio, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Capital Factory, SA Digital Connects, Maestro Entrepreneur Center, Geekdom, Better Futures Institute, FourBlock
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this event free?
Yes. Attendance is free, thanks to the support of our series sponsors.
Where is San Antonio Technology Center?
SATC is located at 3463 Magic Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, in the Medical Center area. Parking is available on-site.
Do I need to register in advance?
Registration is encouraged to secure your spot. You can register at the link on this page.
Who should attend?
This event is open to everyone. Tech founders, corporate leaders, city and community leaders, workforce professionals, students, and anyone interested in San Antonio’s economic future are all welcome.
What can I expect at the event?
A panel of five industry experts, a moderated discussion covering advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0, and workforce development, and open networking with drinks courtesy of Rebecca Creek Whiskey and Enchanted Rock Vodka.
Is this part of a series?
Yes. The Emerging Industries Series runs monthly and covers San Antonio’s frontier industries, including cybersecurity, bioscience, advanced manufacturing, and aerospace. The next event is June 17, 2026, focused on aerospace.
Who is organizing this event?
This event is co-produced by CNTR/CTY and Tech Bloc and hosted by San Antonio Technology Center.
Reserve Your Spot
Space is limited. Register now and join the conversation shaping San Antonio’s manufacturing future.