Day 1: Sunday, February 2, 2025 

2:00 pm - Registration

5:00 pm - Welcome Reception

Day 2: Monday, February 3, 2025

8:00 am (shotgun start) - 1:00 pm - Golf Tournament (golf fees required) Sponsored by:  

9:00 am - 12:00 noon - Port Tampa Bay Harbor Tour (Free, but registration is required as space is limited.)

2:15 pm - Half-Day Beverage:  

2:45 pm - Conference Opening: Welcome and Introduction

Speaker: Michael Cowden, Editor-in-Chief, Steel Market Update

3:00 pm - Fireside Chat with Timna Tanners : Whatever Happened to Steelmageddon?

Five years ago, the industry was rocked by the prediction of "Steelmageddon." Now, join us for an exclusive Fireside Chat with Timna Tanners as we delve into why it didn't unfold as expected - and why it could still play out in 2025.  Discover where we stand today amid the ongoing sheet storm and what's shaping the future of the steel market.

Speaker: Timna Tanners, Equity Research Analyst, Wolfe Research

Moderator: Michael Cowden, Editor-in-Chief, Steel Market Update

3:45 pm -Keynote Speaker: Thomas Derry: A Global Look at the Supply Chain

We'll open the aperture to take a wider look at the geopolitical impacts to the steel industry.  What is the US/Mexico relationship and what will be the new rules of trade going forward. Post-Covid we've learned to maneuver around major supply chain disruptions, but there are still obstacles to keep an eye on.

Speaker: Thomas Derry, Chief Executive Officer, Institute for Supply Management

Moderator: Dave Schollaert, Senior Analyst, Steel Market Update

4:30 pm - A Trump 2.0 Primer: What a changing trade and tariff landscape means for your business

President Trump has threatened to hammer not only foes such as China with tariffs but also allies such as Canada and Mexico.  He has also raised the prospect of across-the-board tariffs.  How much of this is bluster and how much will become policy?  Also, broadly speaking, what are the goals animating these policies?  Could they encourage manufacturing growth in the US?  And do they risk stoking inflation?  Wiley's Tim Brightbill will provide an overview of what we know, what we can expect, and what it means for your business.

Speaker: Timothy C. Brightbill, Partner and Co-Chair, International Trade Practice, Wiley Rein LLP

Moderator: Michael Cowden, Editor in Chief, Steel Market Update

5:15 pm - Networking Reception

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

7:30 am - All-Day Beverage Sponsored by                

                Continental Breakfast Sponsored by Alliance Family of Companies  

8:00 am - Welcome Remarks from Port Tampa Bay, Mayor of Tampa, and Steel Market Update

Speakers: 

Greg Lovelace, Senior Vice President Business Development and Marketing, Port Tampa Bay

Michael Cowden, Editor-in-Chief, Steel Market Update

The Honorable Jane Castor, Mayor, City of Tampa

8:15 am - Fireside Chat with Geoff Gilmore of Worthington Steel

We'll kick off day two of our program with an exclusive interview with Geoff Gilmore who will give us the pulse on the steel market.  He'll provide a unique perspective on the automotive sector, the demand for EVs, and what tariffs will do to our near-shore neighbors. He'll also weigh in on the EU automotive market and how it could affect the U.S.  Additionally, we'll hear about Geoff's personal journey in the industry, and how he is helping to drive change and develop company culture at Worthington.

Speaker: Geoff Gilmore, President and Chief Executive Officer, Worthington Steel

Moderator: Dave Schollaert, Senior Analyst, Steel Market Update

9:00 am - Steel Industry End-User Roundtable

We will sit down for a candid discussion with three distinct end users in the steel industry to hear their perspectives on topics: with a new administration in place, how will end users navigate current market conditions?  Will protectionism become a growing focus? Is there increasing demand for more sustainable and eco-friendly products?  How will end users assess and implement changes in their raw material needs? And much more!

Speakers: 

Michele Arbaugh, Senior Global Category Manager, Electrolux

Michael Shin, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Trinity Rail

Derin Talinli, President-Steel Department, Elgen Manufacturing

Moderator: Lynn Lupori, Head of Consulting-Americas, CRU

9:45 am - Morning Break - Steel 101 Workshop Instructor Meet and Greet at the SMU Booth #6

Mario Briccetti, Business and Supply Chain Consultant, Briccetti & Associates, LLC

Chris Shipp, President, Reibus

10:00 am - Fireside Chat with Jeremy Flack: The Five Truths of the Steel Industry

We'll sit down with Jeremy Flack to hear one of the steel industry's most interesting origin stories, how it shaped his career and ultimately shaped the unique structure of this service center come hedging and manufacturing company.

Speaker: Jeremy Flack, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Flack Global Metals

Moderator: Michael Cowden, Editor-in-Chief, Steel Market Update

10:45 am - Service Center Roundtable: On the Road to Recovery?

There's no doubt that 2024, overall, was a down year for service centers.  What looks to be ahead in 2025? Our panelists have been in down markets before.  It's important to have that sense of perspective to escape the tunnel vision of the present moment. As privately held steel distributors, they'll give their frank opinions on issues such as initial takes on the Trump administration, the current state of the market and outlook, and hot topics such as indirect imports.

Speakers:     

Drew Gross, President and COO, Alliance Steel

Gary Stein, Chief Executive Officer, Triple-S Steel Holdings, Inc.

Marc Lerman, Vice President Purchasing, Steel Warehouse

Moderator: Ethan Bernard, Reporter/Editor, Steel Market Update

11:30 am - Fireside Chat with Conrad Winkler: The Perks of Going Nuclear - The Future of Steel, Energy, and the Workplace

We'll talk about the ongoing expansion at North Star BlueScope's EAF mill in Ohio.  We'll also examine why nuclear has a bright future in steel.  Also, learn why you shouldn't be afraid the robots will come for your company.  We'll discuss the ways AI can help you and your business.  And we'll take your questions too. So, think of some good ones as you travel to the warm climes of Florida!

Speaker: Conrad Winkler, President, North Star Bluescope

Moderator: Michael Cowden, Editor-in-Chief, Steel Market Update

12:15 pm - Lunch

1:15 pm - Analyst Roundtable: Steel Experts Forecast for 2025...and Beyond!

Hear from our analysts and get their view for the coming year.  They'll review economic data which may point to renewed demand, and discuss how new tariffs and rising flat rolled capacity could affect prices. So, join us in Tampa and get a front-row seat to that and more during this session.  And don't forget to bring your questions for the interactive Q&A session afterwards.

Speakers:   

Bill Peterson, Senior Analyst of Metals & Mining and Clean Tech, J.P. Morgan

Josh Spoores, Principal Analyst, Steel, CRU

Moderator: Dave Schollaert, Senior Analyst, Steel Market Update

2:00 pm - Fireside Chat with Michael Garcia - Navigating Change: Algoma Steel's EAF Transition and Market Dynamics

Discover how Algoma Steel is building a greener future with two state-of-the-art Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs) coming online in 2025, and cutting carbon emissions by up to 70%. CEO Michael Garcia will discuss the environmental benefits of this transition and provide a market outlook on supply, demand, and pricing trends.  The session will also explore how shifts in politica leadership in Canada and the U.S. are influencing opportunities and challenges for the Canadian steel industry.

Speakers: Michael Garcia, CEO, Algoma

Moderator: Dave Schollaert, Senior Analyst, Steel Market Update

2:45 pm - Trade Matters: The Agility of Steel Traders in a Changing Market

What does it mean to be a steel trader in today's dynamic market? With Trump 2.0, it's definitely not business as usual. From Section 232, to the USMCA Agreement, to China, remaining nimble is more important than ever. That is especially true when a single post on Truth Social could end up altering trade policy.  We'll explore some of the challenges in trade, and how our panelists are facing them.

Speakers:   

Jose Gasca, Chairman, and Managing Director, MeTrading International

Brion Talley, CEO, JFE Shoji America, LLC

Murat Askin, Founder and CEO, StaalX LLC

Moderator: Ethan Bernard, Reporter/Editor, Steel Market Update

3:30 pm - Fireside Chat with Ryerson CEO Eddie Lehner: Final Thoughts on a Steel Market in Flux

Eddie Lehner will sit down with SMU's Michael Cowden to discuss not only short-term market trends but also some long-term ones that you'll want to keep in mind well after the conference ends.  Think of it as Final Thoughst for Tampa Steel - and you're one of the authors.  So don't forget to pack some good, big-picture questions for the Q&A!

Speaker: Eddie Lehner, Chief Executive Officer, Ryerson

Moderator: Michael Cowden, Editor-in-Chief, Steel Market Update

4:15 pm - Close of Conference