The Education Meets Industry (EMI) Symposium debuts on Monday, July 15th in Dayton, Ohio, alongside the Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM) Workshop on July 15 - 17, 2024, with this community's first visit to the city. The Symposium is kicked off by Dr. Larry R. Dosser (LIA Fellow) and promises insights into historical context, current workforce demands, and future trends in defense and industry.