Final Thoughts
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Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
August 3, 2020
Steel Market Update is celebrating our 12th birthday. I started the SMU publication officially in August 2008. Prior to that I had been giving it away to my former customers and friends within the industry. I knew at the time that the industry needed a publication coming from an industry perspective as opposed to a journalism perspective. SMU succeeded because I knew what questions to ask buyers and sellers, and due to my experience selling steel I was able to sort out the self-serving data providers from those who were interested in a more transparent market.
I surrounded myself with people who did not (and do not) mind working hard, learning new things and who compliment my talents.
Twelve years later it still works. SMU continues to grow, we continue to come up with new products and ways of looking at business. Our brand is respected by the steel community and we appreciate our customers and do everything possible to provide the best information so those within the industry who have to make decisions are better able to do so.
I made a similar decision when I started the SMU Steel Summit Conference. We started small, riding on the coattails of Metalcon. Our first conference was in Las Vegas. We charged $100 per head, and had slightly more than 100 executuves, The formula worked, and we continued to grow from there.
I made the decision to put down roots for the conference about six years ago. I selected the Georgia International Convention Center because it made sense for active industry executives who were tired of being used and abused by high hotel rates, multiple airports, expensive cab rides and inferior programs. The GICC, located next to the Atlanta airport, was the perfect location. If not for the pandemic, this year’s event, which is our 10th, would be at the GICC instead of being virtual.
But this is the year of the pandemic, and we roll with the punches. You will now be able to interact and appreciate our program from the comfort of your office or home office (or even sitting outside by the pool).
I have spoken to almost every speaker, we are working with the events team in London, our platform has been built, the exhibition booths are being stocked and we are getting very close to being able to launch this year’s event. The program is going to be exceptional. We are going to cover a wide variety of subjects. There will be many forecasts (economic, political and steel related).
We have moved through 600 registered attendees on our way to (we hope) 800+ executives.
Nominations for the SMU NexGen Leadership Award are due tomorrow, August 5th You can nominate someone (including yourself) and learn more about the nomination process by clicking here. All qualified nominees will receive a free pass to this year’s conference.
You can learn more about our platform and how networking and interacting with our agenda will work by viewing last week’s SMU Community Chat webinar. You can view the recording by clicking here or going to www.SteelMarketUpdate.com/blog/smu-community-chat-webinars and click on last week’s recording.
Most importantly, if you want to join everyone at this year’s event, you can do that by clicking here or going to www.smusteelsummit.com or by sending an email to Events@SteelMarketUpdate.com
As always, your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard, President & CEO
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John Packard
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Final thoughts
Sheet prices didn’t roar back after Labor Day. But steel market news sure came out of the gate strong (or maybe chaotically is the better way to put it). First, the nearly $15-billion proposed sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel exploded into the news. And when I say exploded, I mean that all sides seem to be escalating things now.
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Final thoughts
Welcome back from Labor Day, from Steel Summit, and from whatever fun you might have had over the long weekend. Personally, I enjoyed camping with friends and family near Starved Rock. No one starved, there were no major injuries, and we enjoyed the many splendors of Mystical Fire. (Speaking of which, does that have industrial uses? But I digress.)
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Final thoughts
I want to say a huge ‘thank you’ from all of us at SMU to all of you (more than 1,500!) who attended Steel Summit this year. We appreciate you taking time out of busy schedules to join us – whether that was up on stage, submitting thoughtful questions, or catching up over a drink and bite to eat. Also, a bit shoutout to everyone at SMU and at CRU who made this event possible. It’s no understatement to say that we have a fantastic team.
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Final thoughts
Day one and two of SMU's Steel Summit 2024 are officially in the books. We covered a lot of ground, and the agenda sure did deliver.
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Final thoughts
The big show is just about here. SMU Steel Summit will be getting underway on Monday. Where does the networking begin? I’d say at the airport. So don’t forget your business cards. And it can't hurt to wear a company golf shirt.