IMTS 2026: CHAMPION Now! Ignites Passion for Manufacturing Careers
September 19, 2026CHAMPION Now! and industry expert Terry M. Iverson have announced an exciting new initiative designed to raise awareness and spark enthusiasm for rewarding careers in manufacturing. This year, CHAMPION Now! will be showcasing its innovative offerings at IMTS 2026.
Student Summit, Booth 211250
North Building
Join us to explore:
• Camp CHAMP – Inspiring Future MFG Leaders Through Mentorship
• Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing – Building Prosperity Through Manufacturing, Mentoring, and the Power of Parenting
• Finding America’s Greatest Champion – Discover the Path to a Debt-Free Career
• The Manufacturing Mentor Podcast – powered by CHAMPION Now!
Under the leadership of a distinguished Board of Directors, including industry veterans:
• Roy Sweatman Southern Manufacturing Technologies
• Grady Cope Reata Engineering
• Jerry Rex Rex Connects
• Carrie Kurczynski GE Vernova
• Paul Wahnish Wahnish Consulting
• Founder Terry M. Iverson Iverson Consulting
"CHAMPION Now! is committed to offering alternative paths to success for the next generation," a spokesperson said. "We are actively seeking passionate volunteers from across the country to join our mission."
Introducing Camp CHAMP:
A Year-Round Manufacturing Experience Camp CHAMP is a dynamic, portable pop up
program designed to provide an immersive manufacturing experience.
Available for rent, lease, or purchase, this turnkey camp invites students to engage with manufacturing beyond the traditional one-day or one-month celebration. Each camp is a half-day event, with sessions held in the morning and afternoon. A select group of 24 middle school students will be invited to participate at a host company or CHAMPION Now! technical college, where they will receive a custom memento shirt featuring sponsor logos.
Students will be divided into six groups, each led by a high school CTE (Career and Technical Education) student mentor. This mentorship component not only enhances the camp experience through peer mentorship, but also inspires the next generation of manufacturing leaders and CTE instructors.
At Camp CHAMP, students will rotate through six hands-on stations, where they’ll learn the manufacturing process of creating a wooden pen and pen case:
1. Pre-machining Inspection of Blanks
2. Turning the Upper Segments of the Pen
3. Turning the Lower Segments of the Pen
4. Programmable Indexing for Sanding and Staining
5. Assembling the Pen
6. Laser Engraving the Student’s Name
Each student leaves with a personalized pen and case, a tangible reminder of their inspiring experience.
To further engage students and their parents, the camp offers the book “Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing.” This resource encourages meaningful conversations about each child’s potential career path, taking into account their passions, talents, learning styles, and family resources. A Dual-Perspective Resource for Parents and Students Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing is a unique, two-cover book designed to facilitate discussions between parents and students about educational and career choices. This interactive guide challenges readers to explore the best paths based on:
• The youth’s passions and natural talents
• Preferred learning methods
• Financial considerations
• Barriers to traditional career paths
• Opportunities through internships and apprenticeships
DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAM- FLORIDA
The Florida Youth College, operating under the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, recently approved and ordered the Camp CHAMP program. This winter, the Cypress Creek facility in Lecanto, FL, will receive two complete Camp CHAMP kits, ten machine tool kits, and two educational books.
Through this skill-building initiative, young individuals will engage with inspiring content while learning to build and operate mini-CNC lathes. Additionally, Tooling U will deliver online coursework for the Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) program, allowing participants to earn an industry-recognized credential.
Once state approval is finalized, this initiative will officially become a registered pre-apprenticeship program that feeds directly into the FloridaMakes Registered Apprenticeship. This partnership aims to positively impact young people during their rehabilitation by providing tools for future success.
Terry Iverson shared his enthusiasm for the partnership: “What a difference this facility can make with the program we are collectively providing. Many times, these young people do not have the focus, opportunity, or skillsets needed to succeed into adulthood. In their short stay, this could open a whole new world of lucrative opportunities for them. This could literally change their lives. I am so honored to be part of this program.”
PARTNERSHIP – CUTTING TOOL ENGINEERING
This year CHAMPION Now! and the Camp CHAMP tabletop CNC lathe will be featured at the Cutting Tool Engineering booth in the West Building (Booth 432313). Drop by for live demonstrations of the Camp CHAMP tabletop lathe and to learn how it is used to introduce middle school students to careers in manufacturing. Plus, Iverson will be on-hand at the industry magazine’s booth from 3:30-5 PM each day to discuss his vision for the camp and to help CTE give away an autographed copy of his book — "Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing" — to six lucky visitors at the booth.
CHAMPION Now! Parent FIELD TRIP
On September 17, CHAMPION Now and the Village of Arlington Heights & Economic Alliance Council will be hosting approximately 12 parents from D214 students, to witness the IMTS2026 show floor in person. This coupled with the book Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing, will enable parents to reevaluate their perceptions of the opportunities in the manufacturing sector for their child. Later in the same day will be a CHAMPION Now! press conference to discuss all of CHAMPION Now’s offerings, but also the parents’ reactions to their day at IMTS2026!
PODCAST: Another offering will be in the roll out of ‘The Manufacturing Mentor” Powered by CHAMPION Now! This will be the inaugural opportunity of a podcast that will offer views, opinions, stories and so much more of manufacturing related anecdotes to inspire others to take the same approach to rethink their outdated perceptions. Iverson will take his 45 years of experience in the metal cutting industry, along with his experience in over 100 podcast interviews and inject riveting discussions for all those to view.
CHAMPION Now! will be accepting Podcast Sponsors for the upcoming 2027 season. There will be three initial podcasts recorded at the IMTS2026 Student Summit. (September 14, 16, & 18)
For more information contact:
CHAMPION Now!
2924 Malmo Drive
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
www.championnow.org
< back