SMU NexGen Leadership Award Nominations Now Open

As an industry publication and supplier of market intelligence, and host of the premier steel conference in North America, SMU is dedicated to helping businesses recruit, train and retain the next generation of talent. Any young executive under the age of 35 who is currently employed by an organization that utilizes carbon steel as part of its core business function is eligible for this award. This includes manufacturing companies or fabricators, steel service centers or toll processors, steel mills and trading companies. Nominations for the 2019 SMU NexGen Leadership Award are now open (instructions are shown below).

The Award

The NexGen Leadership Award will be bestowed on the candidate whose emerging leadership within his or her company sets a standard for the rest of the industry.

The award will include the following:

• A mentorship day with a prominent industry executive
• Invitation to attend one of the SMU Steel 101 or SMU Steel 201 workshops in late 2019 or during calendar year 2020 (no registration fee)
• An invitation to the 2020 SMU Steel Summit Conference with registration fees waived
• Recognition in the Steel Market Update newsletter and SMU/CRU websites
• A video of the award presentation
• Recognition in the form of a trophy or plaque

Nomination Criteria

There are many ways leadership and creativity can be displayed at your company, and no two companies are exactly alike. What we have listed below are some general guidelines, but they should not be construed as covering all the potential attributes that would determine who should be nominated. We encourage you and your company to submit the names of those you feel are truly exceptional emerging leaders within your organization.

Here are some things to think about when considering making a nomination.

Innovation:

• Identified ways to improve processes or service delivery
• Implemented change in a creative manner

Leadership:

• Inspired and encouraged professional and personal development in self and others
• Contributed to the success of an initiative that benefited those outside his/her own department
• Assisted in attracting other young people into the industry

Rising Star:

• Recognized by peers as a positive force within the company
• Outstanding contributions toward completing a successful project and/or a change management program

Nomination and Application Process

 Candidates for the SMU NexGen Leadership Award will be no more than 35 years of age as of August 1, 2019.

• Candidates must work within the greater steel community. This includes manufacturing or fabrication companies that utilize mild carbon or automotive grade steels in their products, steel distributors (service centers or wholesalers), steel mills, trading companies or toll processors.
• No minimum tenure in the industry is required, however the nominee must still be employed by the company making the nomination.

How to Nominate Someone

 Self-nomination and/or nomination by a colleague or peer:

• Nominations will be made by sending the following information to Events@SteelMarketUpdate.com (please put in header SMU NexGen Leadership Award Nomination)
  • Name, phone number and email of person making the nomination
  • Name of nominee
  • Job title
  • Company name
  • Email of nominee
  • Telephone number of nominee
  • Reason why person is being nominated (not to exceed 1,000 words)
  • Supporting documentation or evidence
• Nominations must be received no later than June 28, 2019

 Perks for Nominees

• All nominees will be invited to a special dinner at 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 27, following the SMU Steel Summit networking reception. Joining the nominees will be executives from Steel Market Update, CRU and the Steel Manufacturers Association.
• Nominees selected to be on the “short-list” (3-5 finalists) will be given complimentary access to the 2019 SMU Steel Summit Conference, including flights and accommodations (not to exceed $1,000 per person). Those on the short list will be notified by August 1, 2019.
• Nominees will be able to register for the SMU Steel Summit Conference at a rate of $675 instead of $1,375.

Judging

The award will be judged by a panel of industry leaders and experts selected by Steel Market Update and the CRU Group. The winner and finalists will be chosen before the 2019 SMU Steel Summit Conference.

Announcement of the Winner

Announcement of the winner and finalists will be made at the 2019 SMU Steel Summit Conference on Tuesday, August 27.

The announcement will also be made in that evening’s Steel Market Update newsletter and on both the SMU and CRU websites.