A Letter from our President
Roger E. Ferch Dear Visitor,
If the question “What are you doing for SteelDay?” isn’t already familiar from the inaugural event last year (more than 7,000 architects, engineers, contractors, owners, developers, and university students participated), it very well may be this year. This September 24 marks the second annual day dedicated to the structural steel industry. If you want to find a SteelDay event in your area, simply visit www.steelday.org.
The structural steel industry often flies under the radar. Communities don’t always realize there is a structural steel fabricator or service center right in their own backyard, perhaps even their zip code. In fact, when they hear the word “steel,” they think of dirty factories or “industrial areas” spewing pollution into our environment. Of course, those of us in the industry know that this image couldn’t be more outdated or further from the truth.
Today’s structural steel industry is a modern, efficient business that uses some of the most advanced and efficient technologies, tools, and processes available. Steel is the most recycled material on the planet, and in terms of environmental friendliness there is no greener material out there.
Many times, people need to be shown something rather than just told it, and this is where SteelDay comes in. SteelDay is an AISC sponsored day that promotes and celebrates the fabricated structural steel industry. It’s a unique opportunity for those in the industry to open their facilities to the public and show how their processes work, and provide hands-on education about the latest advances in the industry. Additionally, SteelDay serves as an interactive networking day for members of the design, construction, and steel communities.
During the first ever SteelDay last fall, at more than 170 different locations across the nation, steel fabricators, mills, service centers, galvanizers, HSS producers, bender-rollers, and others, opened their facilities, jobsites, and offices, offering free tours and inviting the AEC community and general public to see how the structural industry contributes to building America. It was a massive event that provided tremendous exposure for the structural steel industry.
SteelDay is a great opportunity for designers and others to see first-hand how the structural steel industry is building high-performance and sustainable projects. Last year, students from several universities around the country also attended events and gained practical insight into various opportunities available in engineering and construction.
At a time when the economy weighs so heavily on everyone’s mind, SteelDay has created excitement and anticipation while raising interest in the future of the industry. It has given the design and construction community something to look forward to. Many of the interactions that took place at the events last year even spurred conversations on project collaboration and job prospects.
SteelDay 2009 received national and local government recognition that acknowledged the critical role of structural steel in the country's infrastructure, economy, and employment. SteelDay was entered in the Congressional Record by Senator Richard J. Durbin, who congratulated the structural steel industry and said, "Steel has featured prominently in America's past and present and will undoubtedly play an important role in our nation's future."
Governor Pat Quinn of Ill., Governor Joe Manchin III of W.Va., and Dan Onorato, the County Executive of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, Pa., all signed proclamations. Government officials attended events in recognition of the structural steel industry's commitment to sustainable construction and structural steel's contributions as a safe, strong, and effective building material.
SteelDay 2010 is expected to attract even more participants than in 2009. To reach more people domestically, the American Galvanizing Association has teamed up with AISC to provide dozens of galvanizer tours and presentations around the country. In addition, AISC introduces two International SteelDay partners: The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) and Promozione Acciaio in Italy, which will bring relationship building events and presentations to the design and construction communities in the Canadian provinces and Italy.
By partnering with international steel-related trade associations such as CISC and Promozione Acciaio in Italy, AISC bridges the concept of SteelDay with the design and construction community around the world while providing tailored benefits and philosophies to each organization’s members.
I highly encourage you to sign up to host or attend a SteelDay event this year to help benefit your business and expand your network.
As always, please contact me with your questions, your concerns, and suggestions.
Roger E. Ferch
President
312.670.5401
ferch@aisc.org