Kory Anderson delivering a manufacturing and skilled-trades keynote on stage

Keynote Speaker

A Voice for American Industry.

From the foundry floor to the national stage — Kory Anderson brings real stories, hard-won lessons, and an unshakeable belief in what American manufacturing can still do.

GuinnessWorld Record Holder
Top 100U.S. Small Business
200M+Cross-Platform Views
100K+YouTube Subscribers

Selected Speaking Engagements

FROM THE FOUNDRY FLOOR
TO THE NATIONAL STAGE.

Kory Anderson is a working American manufacturer and foundry owner who brings firsthand operating experience to the national conversation about manufacturing and the skilled trades. He speaks from the foundry floor — not from a consulting background — bringing real stories from American manufacturing leadership to conferences, industry associations and workforce conversations across the country.

Past Engagements

Featured Presentation

American Foundry Society — Metalcasting Congress

"From Concept to Casting"

April 15, 2026

General Session Speaker

National Board of Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspectors — 94th General Meeting

"Steam and Spirit: Inspecting the Past to Power the Future"

May 11, 2026Denver, Colorado

Industry Presentation

American Foundry Society — Sourcing & Tooling Presentation

"Foundry sourcing, patternmaking and building stronger tooling partnerships"

April 2026Grand Rapids, Michigan
Upcoming Engagements
UpcomingFeatured Speaker

Build Freedom / Make It in America Summit

"American manufacturing, entrepreneurship and building the next generation of skilled tradespeople"

October 21–22, 2026Galveston, Texas
UpcomingKeynote Speaker and Workforce Panelist

Non-Ferrous Founders' Society — Industry Executive Conference

"No One Wants to Do This Work"

February 19–21, 2027San Diego, California

Selected engagements. Additional appearances available upon request.

Government Advocacy

Advocating for American Manufacturing
in Washington

In November 2025, Kory and Ali traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet directly with senators and representatives — advocating for metalcasting, American manufacturing, small businesses, and the skilled-trades workforce.

MetalcastingAmerican ManufacturingSmall BusinessSkilled Trades Workforce

Washington, D.C. · November 2025

Kory Anderson at the U.S. Capitol, Washington D.C.

U.S. Capitol

Kory Anderson meeting with a senator, Mount Rushmore artwork in background

Senate Meeting

Kory and Ali Anderson with a representative in a South Dakota congressional office

Congressional Office

Signature Topics

Manufacturing & Skilled-Trades Keynote Topics

01

The 150 Case: Building the Impossible

A 12-year Guinness World Record journey — from a garage in South Dakota to the largest steam traction engine ever built. A story about grit, faith, and refusing to quit.

02

Reviving American Manufacturing

Why American-made still matters, how small manufacturers are leading the charge, and what it takes to build a business on craftsmanship in a world chasing cheap.

03

The Skilled Trades Crisis — and the Fix

America is running out of builders. Kory makes the case for the trades as a calling, not a fallback — and shares what he's doing about it through Iron Warrior Academy.

04

Entrepreneurship from the Ground Up

From portable welding out of a garage at 22 to a multi-company American-made ecosystem. Real lessons on starting with nothing, betting on yourself, and building what lasts.

05

Steam, Heritage & American Identity

Why preserving early American industry isn't nostalgia — it's a blueprint. A talk on honoring the past while building the future, perfect for engineering and heritage audiences.

Who Books Kory

Manufacturing ConferencesEngineering SocietiesTrade & Vocational SchoolsEntrepreneurship SummitsFaith & Leadership EventsHeritage & Steam ShowsCorporate Leadership TeamsYouth & Student Programs
Audience at a conference listening to a speaker on stage

For Event Planners

WHAT EVENT
PLANNERS GET.

  • A speaker with real operating experience—not theory
  • Stories drawn from foundries, product development and a 12-year Guinness World Record build
  • A credible voice on American manufacturing and the skilled-trades workforce
  • Optional audience promotion through Kory's established social platforms
  • Professional coordination through Kory's team from inquiry through appearance

Book Kory to Speak

Ready to Bring Kory to Your Stage?

Whether it's a national conference, a university lecture, a trade summit, or a corporate event — Kory delivers a talk your audience won't forget. Reach out to start the conversation.

Book Kory Now

For speaking inquiries, availability, and fees — submit the form and Kory's team will respond within 48 hours.

Kory + Ali Anderson

KORY + ALI ANDERSON

For select events, Kory and Ali Anderson are available together for conversations on entrepreneurship, American manufacturing, business acquisition, family, faith, workforce development and building a mission-driven portfolio of American companies.