This inaugural workshop, first in a series to be held across the nation, provides an opportunity for representatives from industry, academia, and government to share perspectives, pose questions, and propose ideas to design the proposed National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). Organized by the federal interagency Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office (AMNPO), in cooperation with stakeholders and local organizations, the opening session will acquaint U.S. manufacturing stakeholders with the principles and concepts motivating this public-private national initiative, as proposed in the President's budget for Fiscal Year 2013. As envisioned by the Administration, the NNMI will connect research discoveries and budding ideas for tomorrow's technologies and products with the U.S. manufacturers of today, as well as with the start-ups sprouting on the technology horizon.