Conference Opening

Ronald Ashburn, Executive Director, Association for Iron & Steel Technology

Tech Talk: Engage the Machine

More than just hype, these powerful tools deliver cost savings, enhanced safety, improved quality and greater customer service. Our panel will discuss real-world applications and trends for digital, autonomous tools. 

Moderator: Timothy Van Audenaerd, Managing Director, Accenture

Panelists:

• Berk Birand, Chief Executive Officer, Fero Labs
• Jake Loosararian, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Gecko Robotics
• Raunak Bhinge, Chief Executive Officer, Infinite Uptime 

Networking Break

Steel Raw Material Panel

John Lichtenstein, Managing Partner, World Steel Dynamics

Panelists:

• Andrew De Simone, Country Manager USA, Vale; Managing Officer, Vale USA LLC 
• Al C. Behr, Executive Vice President, Raw Materials, Nucor Corp.
• Ernie Thrasher, Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, XCoal Energy
• Martin Dionne, Global Director Iron Ore & Coal-Graphite Primary Processing, Hatch

Presentation

Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cleveland-Cliffs

Networking Lunch

Tech Talk: Better Outcomes Through OpEx Optimization 

Energy, raw materials and labor are the top costs for producing steel. Prudent steelmakers also closely monitor their equipment operating costs. Technology partners are responding with an array of solutions to reduce maintenance, automate control and lower risk. This panel will delve into technologies reshaping operational efficiency.

Moderator: Ronald Ashburn, Executive Director, Association for Iron & Steel Technology

Panelists:

• Lee Morgan, Chief Executive Officer and President, The Systems Group
• Rolando Paolone, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technical Officer, Danieli & C. S.p.A.

Interview

TV Narendran, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tata Steel

Willy Korf/Ken Iverson Steel Vision Award and Willy Korf Young Excellence Award Ceremony   

• Steel Vision Award Recipient
  TV Narendran, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tata Steel
• Young Excellence Award Recipient
  TBD

Networking Break

Interview

Máximo Vedoya, Chief Executive Officer, Ternium 

Interview

Mario Arvedi Caldonazzo, Chief Executive Officer, Arvedi 

Interview

Mark Millett, Co-founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, Steel Dynamics Inc.

Cocktail Reception

Opening Session

Philipp Englin, Chief Executive Officer, World Steel Dynamics

International Steel Perspectives

Moderator: Edwin Basson, Director General, World Steel Association

Panelists:

• Kevin Dempsey, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Iron and Steel Institute
• Martin Theuringer, Managing Director, Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl
• Ezequiel Tavernelli, Executive Director, Alacero
• Alok Sahay, Secretary General and Executive Head, Indian Steel Association
• Representative from CISA

Interview

Chang In Hwa, Chairman, POSCO Holdings

Networking Break

Presentation

Interview

Johnny Sjöström, President and Chief Executive Officer, SSAB

Networking Lunch

Tech Talk: The Transition to Carbon-Neutral Steel 

While hydrogen-reduced iron remains a promising path to carbon neutrality, the hydrogen sector is not materializing at the speed and scale initially envisioned. Nevertheless, steelmakers continue to pursue greener iron units and steel production techniques. This panel will examine trends, feedstock and technological innovations. 

Moderator: Ronald Ashburn, Executive Director, Association for Iron & Steel Technology

Panelists:

• Joseph Dzierzawski, Vice President of Sales and Strategy, Primetals Technologies USA LLC
• Stephen Montague, Member of the Board, Midrex

Presentation

Shannon K. O’Neil, Senior Vice President, Director of Studies and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair, Council on Foreign Relations

Trade Roundtable

Join leading experts in international steel trade as they unpack the complexities of ongoing global oversupply and the evolving landscape of trade policy. This high-level discussion will explore the impact of “tariff wars” from both domestic and international perspectives, offering critical insights into how governments and industries are responding to protectionist measures, market imbalances, and shifting geopolitical dynamics. 

Moderator: TBD

Panelists:

• Alan Price, Partner, Wiley Rein
• Kate Kalutkiewicz, Senior Managing Director, Trade Practice & McLarty Inbound, McLarty Associates

Networking Break

North American Downstream Sector Panel

Moderator: Philip Bell, President, Steel Manufacturers Association

Panelists:

• John Ganem, Chief Executive Officer, Kloeckner Metals Corp.
• John Hollatz, Executive Vice President Fabricated Construction Products, Nucor Corp.
• Janice Lee, Partner and Director, Boston Consulting Group

Presentation

David Burritt, President and Chief Executive Officer, United States Steel Corporation

Cocktail Reception