During the Virtual 2020 AIST Awards Presentation, set for 10 to 11 a.m. EDT 16 September, Ferriola will receive the 2020 AIST Steelmaker of the Year Award, in recognition of his 46 years of service to both the industry and to AIST. Also, Leon Topalian, who took over for Ferriola as chief executive at the beginning of this year, will give the 2020 AIST William T. Hogan, S.J. Memorial Lecture.

Both events typically take place during AISTech — The Iron & Steel Technology Conference and Exposition, AIST’s annual conference and exposition.  However, after extensive consultation with governing authorities and the AIST Board of Directors, and with due regard to the safety and health of our members, exhibitors, attendees and staff, AIST was obligated to cancel AISTech 2020 due to the pervasive effects of COVID-19. But given the importance of both the award and the lecture, and to keep with tradition, the Association has moved the events online. 

In that same vein, another signature AISTech event has transitioned to an online format. The AIST Virtual Town Hall Forum is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to noon EDT on 30 September 2020. During a live, moderated discussion, five of the steel industry’s leading executives will discuss the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19.  

On the panel this year are United States Steel Corporation president and chief executive officer David Burritt; Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. chairman, president and chief executive officer Lourenco Goncalves; Steel Dynamics Inc. president and chief executive officer Mark D. Millett; Nucor Steel-Indiana vice president and general manager Dan Needham; and Big River Steel chief executive officer David Stickler. 

Registration for both events is now open. You can find more information or register here and here.