33rd Tampa Steel Conference

The Tampa Steel Conference is different from the SMU Steel Summit Conference in several ways. The TSC has expanded networking opportunities. On Monday there is a free boat tour of the port. Normally there are approximately 50 people on each tour. This gives you a rare opportunity to view the port from the water. You will learn more about the port facilities. You will also get to see firsthand just how congested the port facilities are. Plus, you will get to interact with others on the tour. We will have a low-key networking cocktail reception for those who arrive early. The cocktail reception will be located on the ground floor of the Marriott Water Street Hotel in an area where we will have both inside and outside access for those who want to be outside and close to the water.

On Tuesday morning, the TSC will host a golf outing at The Eagles Golf Club ($150 fee includes golf and lunch). You can find details about the golf outing on the TSC website. There will also be another opportunity to tour the port by boat.

For those of you who looking for training on steel price hedging, we are offering one of our Introduction to Steel Hedging Workshops in conjunction with the Tampa Steel Conference (extra fees required). This provides a perfect opportunity to get personal training while being able to attend the full conference. Or, if you are not interested in attending the conference, you still have an opportunity to attend a live, in-person hedging workshop. You can find more information about the agenda, instructors, costs, and how to register by clicking here.

The Tampa Steel Conference is perfect for those who are looking for an intimate environment as we anticipate 300-400 executives (compared to 1,000+ at the SMU Steel Summit Conference). The hotel is located in downtown Tampa on the water and the trolley line. This is a perfect event to bring your spouse to and to celebrate Valentine’s Day away from the cold and snow of the northern states (or Canada). There is plenty to do and see in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area. There are white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, golf courses, an aquarium, great shopping and sightseeing. All minutes from a major Florida international airport.

The agenda’s focus is a little different than what you would see at our August conference. The TSC has a focus on trade, trade issues, foreign steel, domestic and foreign steel prices, how the supply chain disruptions are affecting transportation, the ports, and the end users. We believe the Tampa Steel Conference will be helpful to everyone in the industry and will complement our Steel Summit Conference later this year.

Lastly, the Tampa Steel Conference is half the price of attending the SMU Steel Summit Conference. Find out more about costs to attend, discounts available to SMU/CRU member companies and to those bringing more than one person from their company by clicking here.

I believe the next virtual Steel 101 workshop is sold out. We will hold the next Steel 101 workshop in Memphis, Tenn., in person. We will be touring the Nucor Arkansas steel mill, which recently completed an expansion. The next virtual Steel 101 workshop will be held in July. There will be more information coming on the SMU Events website, which you can access by clicking here.

I have already begun the process of selecting keynote speakers for the 2022 SMU Steel Summit Conference, which will be held in Atlanta on Aug. 22-24. We have confirmations from Alan Beaulieu of ITR Economics and Mark Millett, CEO of Steel Dynamics. I expect more confirmations in the coming days from other mill CEOs and special speakers. Registration is already open here.

As always, your business is truly appreciated by all of us associated with Steel Market Update.

John Packard