The 2020 Aluminum Summit — the joint meeting of the Aluminum Extruders Council’s (AEC) Management Conference and the Aluminum Anodizers Council’s (AAC) Anodizing Conference — originally scheduled for September 2020 in Nashville, TN, has been postponed until 2021 due to concerns and restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
Both the AEC and the AAC will host virtual events for their 2020 conferences. Details are forthcoming regarding the online platform, program, and registration information for each event.
“Out of an abundance of caution and respect for our members’ business during these difficult times, the AEC [and AAC have] decided to convert the fall 2020 Management Conference [and Anodizing Conference] into a virtual event,” saidJeff Henderson, president of the AEC and AAC. “Please know that this was a difficult decision, but in the end it was clearly the right one?’
AEC Managment Conference
The AEC will host its 2020 Management Conference as a virtual event on September 22-23, with registration expected to open in July. This modified version of the conference will also include virtual and team meetings, which will be scheduled the week prior to the Management Conference.
The AEC Management Conference provides members with a way to gather general industry and business information in one place and to take the temperature of the market — especially important considering the number of factors affecting the industry this year. This includes the consequences of reduced operations due to the pandemic, the 232 tariff issues, an upcoming sunset review for the current tariff case on aluminum extrusions imported from China, and more.
“We will have offerings for sponsors and exhibitors with prices in line with the value they represent,” Henderson explained. “No one wants to pay to travel, lodge, and spend a week at a conference during times like these. So, I am confident members will be pleased with this decision and offering we create.”
AAC Anodizing Conference
The AAC will host its 2020 Anodizing Conference as a separate virtual event in October, with dates to be announced soon. Committee meetings will be held virtually as well, and will be scheduled the week prior to the conference.
“Converting to a virtual event from our traditional format gives us a real opportunity to expand our offering,” said Henderson. “As a result, this conference will now become a global event. The AAC will be inviting non-members from across the globe for an opportunity to learn what the AAC has to offer.
The Anodizing Conference is designed to be “in tune” with the needs and concerns of aluminum anodizing professionals, and provides an outlet for industry professionals to gather vital technical and business information. The virtual event will also allow conference attendees to take advantage of the excellent educational content that AAC delivers from the comfort and relative safety of their own space.
“This new virtual Anodizing Conference will appeal to those who find it difficult to travel long distances or for extended periods, especially those industry professionals in Europe and Australia who have been interested in attending Anodizing Conferences in the past but were unable to,” noted Henderson.