Metal Matters 2011 Conference to feature compelling keynotes.

Press Release Summary:



Keynote addresses covering tactics for growing business and improving operations as well as state of U.S. manufacturing will highlight FABRICATOR®'s Leadership Summit: 6th Annual Metal Matters. To be held March 2-4, conference will host Dan DiMicco, chairman, president, and CEO of Nucor Corporation; Emily DeRocco, president of The Manufacturing Institute and National Center for the American Workforce; and Mike Simpson, director of system operations for NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership.



Original Press Release:



Prominent Industry Leaders to Deliver Compelling Keynotes at Metal Matters 2011 Conference



Registration for March 2-4 Event Available Online, Via Phone or On Site

ROCKFORD, Ill. - Compelling and educational keynote addresses covering tactics to implement for business growth and operation improvement, and the state of U.S. manufacturing, highlight The FABRICATOR®'s Leadership Summit: 6th Annual Metal Matters March 2-4, the premier conference for the fabricating industry.

Keynote presentations will be delivered by Dan DiMicco, chairman, president and CEO of Nucor Corporation, the world's largest recycler and steel producer in the United States, Emily DeRocco, president of The Manufacturing Institute and the new National Center for the American Workforce, and Mike Simpson, director of system operations for The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).

Recognized by The Harvard Business Review as one of "The Best-Performing CEOs in the World," DiMicco will deliver the event's opening address March 3 on leadership qualities and restoring strength to American manufacturing.

"Dan DiMicco has emerged as a national figure in the movement to improve American manufacturing, and his message of promoting manufacturing in this country will surely leave conference attendees with an invigorated perspective to bring back to their respective organizations," said Dan Davis, executive editor of The FABRICATOR®.

On March 4, DeRocco will deliver the event's second keynote on U.S. manufacturers' ability to compete in the global economy.

"The public seems to be getting over its negative view of manufacturing as being dirty and dangerous work for unskilled laborers," DeRocco said. "What we need now is stability and certainty from policy makers. Without that, the public cannot commit itself to a manufacturing renaissance in the United States."

The event also includes pre-conference speaker Mike Simpson followed by a facilitated interactive workshop focused on profitable business growth strategies the afternoon of March 2.

"For the past twenty years MEP has helped small manufacturers increase their profit-lines and streamline their processes," said Dileep Thatte, manager at NIST-MEP. "With Simpson's dynamic presenting skills and national perspective on manufacturing, participants are sure to gain actionable ideas for improved economic competitiveness."

The FABRICATOR®'s Leadership Summit includes a unique format of peer- and consultant-facilitated roundtable discussions for attendees to exchange ideas and solutions that affect their business' bottom line. Topics include automation; economic and financial issues of the day; personnel optimization; managing your company's online presence; sales and marketing; plus technology discussions focused on plate, sheet, and tube and pipe.

Chris Kuehl, Ph.D., global economist for The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA) and managing director of Amada Corporate Intelligence, will facilitate a roundtable discussion aimed to help attendees plot their business future by conducting an economic and financial assessment. Dr. Kuehl will examine current market conditions, key drivers of growth and changing dynamics in the industry.

The three-day event, sponsored by the FMA and The Tube & Pipe Association, International (TPA), begins March 2 at Disney's BoardWalk Resort near Orlando, Fla.

Executives seeking to gain expert perspectives to help them in today's competitive market can register to attend online at www.fmanet.org/metalmatters, via phone by calling 888-394-4362, or on-site at the event.

The FABRICATOR®'s Leadership Summit: 6th Annual Metal Matters will be co-located with FMA's 15th Annual Toll Processing Conference, offering attendees the chance to network within a diverse group of industry professionals.

Based in Rockford, Ill., FMA is a professional organization with more than 2,100 members working together to improve the metal forming and fabricating industry. Founded in 1970, FMA brings metal fabricators and fabricating equipment manufacturers together through technology councils, educational programs, networking events, industry trade publications including The FABRICATOR®, and the FABTECH® trade show. FMA also has a technology affiliate, the Tube & Pipe Association Intl. (TPA), which focuses on the unique needs of companies engaged in tube and pipe producing and fabricating.

Benjamin Arens
L.C. Williams & Associates
150 N. Michigan, Suite 3800
Chicago, Illinois, 60601
Office 312.565.4626
Fax 312.565.1770
barens@lcwa.com

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