The COVID-19 public-health and economic shock has affected the metalcasting industry in a broad variety of ways. The American Foundry Society is moving quickly to continue to deliver on its mission of Advocate-Educate-Innovate in newer ways for the benefit of our corporate and individual members.
First, much of the technical and management programming that would normally have been presented at Metalcasting Congress is now being scheduled as Members-Only Webinars. These webinars can be viewed as live or archived presentations. For a list of webinars already scheduled, click here. Summaries of all Metalcasting Congress presentations will also appear in a Show Guide print and digital publication that will soon be available.
Second, the AFS Institute will be presenting several highly popular foundry-education classroom courses virtually beginning next month. These courses feature some of the best foundry experts in North America who will be presenting live. Evening hours are an option for some of this programming. Already slated for virtual presentation are Gating & Riser Design 201 and Steel 101. These offerings are in addition to the full suite of 110 highly affordable e-learning modules available for purchase individually or as a company-wide subscription.
Third, because of public-access restrictions on Capitol Hill, the annual Government Affairs Fly-In was cancelled. Instead, AFS is presenting a three-hour, interactive, members-only Advocacy Summit on May 19 beginning at 9 a.m. (CT). The Advocacy Summit will feature sessions with Labor Sec. Scalia, a U.S. Senator (invited), and key issue experts. AFS will also unveil the results of the Economic Impact Analysis of the foundry industry at this virtual event. Members will leave the Advocacy Summit armed with the latest knowledge and with counsel on how to make their voice heard in Washington at this critical time. To register for the Summit, click here.
“AFS is moving quickly to adapt to the changed business environment and that includes more virtual programming to help foundries, suppliers and casting purchasers advance their own unique objectives in the months to come,” said Doug Kurkul, CEO of AFS.
The American Foundry Society is a dynamic technical and advocacy organization that serves and represents the $33 billion metalcasting industry. AFS is the only association serving the entire industry, including all metals and processes, with a three-part focus on advocacy, education, and innovation. AFS also publishes Modern Casting and Casting Source magazines and presents Metalcasting Congress and CastExpo, the largest metalcasting trade events in North America. Founded in 1896, the organization is based in Schaumburg, Illinois, with an advocacy office in Washington, D.C. More information is available at afsinc.org.