More than 200 events planned nationwide for second annual SteelDay

CHICAGO — Building on the success of 2009, this year’s SteelDay is expected to grow to more than 200 events. Planned for Sept. 24, 2010 and hosted by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and its members, SteelDay is a national event featuring free networking and educational opportunities for the design and construction community.

Last fall, more than 7,000 architects, engineers, contractors, owners, developers, and university faculty and students attended educational presentations and toured more than 170 different facilities in the United States, including mills and fabrication shops where they saw advanced technologies in action.

"It was a great opportunity for designers and others to see first-hand how the structural steel industry is building high-performance and sustainable projects," explained Roger E. Ferch, P.E., AISC’s president.

SteelDay 2010 offers more possibilities for guests to Interact, Learn, and Build. To ensure that people in major metropolitan areas have more convenient access to events this year, AISC and its members are offering special events in New York City, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

For example, in New York City the Steel Institute of New York and Owen Steel Company are co-sponsoring an evening presentation on "Building an Award Winning Structure," followed by a networking reception in the Samuel B. and David Rose Building at Lincoln Center Plaza.

In Chicago, AISC is inviting industry professionals to cruise Chicago on SteelDay with a free boat cruise on the Chicago River. The tour includes lunch and networking while sailing past some of Chicago’s most famous steel framed buildings. The evening prior, AISC is welcoming guests into its headquarters to meet staff and receive an introduction on 2010 AISC publications in a seminar by AISC Vice President Charlie Carter, P.E., S.E., Ph.D.

"Last year’s SteelDay was a great success with attendees because it’s truly an experience that everyone can participate in and learn something from," said Chris Moor, AISC director of industry initiatives. "This year’s SteelDay will provide even more valuable opportunities for networking, learning, and building business, which is so important now more than ever."

In addition to connecting with local structural steel representatives across the United States, SteelDay attendees will learn how to use the structural steel industry’s advanced technologies and processes to reduce their risk and manage their costs while being sensitive to the environmental impacts of their projects.

SteelDay 2010 has already received significant government involvement and recognition. Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois and Governor Mark Parkinson of Kansas have proclaimed Sept. 24, 2010, as SteelDay in their respective states, acknowledging the critical role of structural steel in the country’s infrastructure, economy, and employment. In addition, several state and local government officials plan to attend SteelDay events on Sept. 24.

For more information about SteelDay 2010, including registration information and full details about each event, please visit www.steelday.org.