2025 Foundry Leadership Summit

Nemacolin
September 22 – 24, 2025

Overview

Register for the premier metalcasting industry Leadership Summit. Enjoy networking with a friendly group of nearly 150 leaders from across the metalcasting supply chain and hear from world-class speakers discussing leadership, artificial intelligence, economic, workforce, technical and political issues that go to the heart of leading your business. The speakers will provide foundry-industry focused expertise available at no other leadership conference.

Located in beautiful southwest Pennsylvania, the renowned Nemacolin Resort is a perfect luxury retreat for a high-level manufacturing leader summit. To complement the meetings and networking events, the Nemacolin offers fine dining, golf, spa treatments, casino as well as nearby hunting and fishing. It is a convenient drive from many locations and a 90-minute drive from the Pittsburgh airport. 

Plan to arrive early to participate in the optional AFS Golf Tournament. This fun and friendly event is a grand longstanding AFS tradition. Previously organized by former AFS President Paul Mikkola and past Board member Mike Didion, it is now organized by Mark Didion (Didion International). Men and women golfers of every skill level will enjoy the camaraderie, networking and prizes. 

Who attends the Foundry Leadership Summit? 

  • Company owners
  • Company CEO’s, presidents and vice presidents
  • Rising young stars in the metalcasting industry

For information about sponsorship opportunities at the event, please contact Kim Farrugia at kfarrugia@afsinc.org or click here.

Location

Nemacolin
  • Nemacolin
  • Nemacolin Resort - Farmington, PA
  • September 22 – 24, 2025
Get Directions

Hotel Information

The Chateau
  • The Chateau at the Nemacolin
  • Farmington, PA
  • $479 +fees/taxes

Our discounted room rate for the Chateau is $479 +fees/taxes. Our room block deadline is August 18, 2025. Rooms will book quickly so it is advised to book before this date.

Hotel rooms can be booked using the link below or by calling 866-335-0885, selecting #1 for new reservations and then selecting #2 for reservations associated within a group block. Our dedicated event group discount code is 1129ON

Disclaimer: only participants of the 2025 Foundry Leadership Summit will be allowed to book in our room block and receive the discounted room rate.

Travel Information

Travel Information

For information on traveling to the Nemacolin, please click here.

Activities & Dinning Reservations

The Nemacolin has many activities and restaurant options. It is best to schedule those well in advance of traveling. For interest in any of the items below, please call 866-355-0885 and select #2 for activities and dinning reservations. 

Nemacolin Activities & Experiences

Nemacolin Restaurants

Rod & Range Club 

Golf Experiences

Spa and Wellness

The Casino at Nemacolin

 

Conference Agenda

Monday, September 22, 2025
1 p.m.
Optional Golf Tournament

For attendees of the Foundry Leadership Summit, join us for golf at the Nemacolin Resort on Monday, September 22nd with Shotgun start at 1 p.m. on the Shepherd’s Rock Golf Course. Golf green fees are $290.00 per person and includes 18-holes of golf and a cart. Pre-registration to golf is required as there are a limited number of spots and is a selection option on the Foundry Leadership registration form. If you need to rent golf clubs, you can do so by contacting the Golf Pro Shop at 724-329-6455 by September 15th. Club rental is $100.00 for 18-holes and is a separate fee.

Golf Attire: Proper casual golf attire is requested; soft spikes only, please. Denim is discouraged on the courses and in the Golf Academy. Collared shirts for both men and women is required.

Golf Check-In: Meet with AFS staff member Ben Yates at the Golf Pro Shop. If you rented clubs, you will need to check-in with the Golf Pro Shop prior.

Getting to the Golf Course: The Nemacolin has a complimentary shuttle bus on property that will take you to their facilities on-site including the golf cours. It can be picked up in the hotel lobby at the Chateau and you should allow 10 minutes for shuttle time.

For additional questions about the golf outing, please contact Ben Yates at byates@afsinc.org.

6 – 7 p.m.
Opening Reception
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 – 9:45 a.m.   
AI: Transforming What Was Once Thought Impossible into Tangible Reality

Kevin Surace
Chief Technology Officer for AppVance and Public Speaker

9:45 – 10 a.m. 
Networking Break
10 – 11 a.m.
How Your Business Can Prepare for 2026

Gene Marks
Author and public speaker

11 a.m. – Noon
Meeting America’s Energy and Electricity Needs

Dan Romito
Managing Director, Pickering Energy Partners

Noon – 1 p.m.   
Networking Lunch
1 – 2 p.m.
Life-Changing Choices About Business Ethics In the Age of AI

Chuck Gallagher
Public Speaker

2 – 3 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Foundry Outlook, Opportunities and Challenges

Moderator:
David Gilson
AFS President; Sales and Marketing Director, SinterCast

Panelists: 
TBA

6 – 7 p.m.
Networking Reception
7 – 9 p.m.
Annual Banquet
  • The State of AFS address
  • Presentation of the William J. Grede Award and the Keating Founders Freedom Award
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
The Economic Outlook for 2026: Trends and Expectations

Dr. Gus Faucher
Senior VP & Chief Economist, PNC Financial

9:30 – 9:45 a.m.
Networking Break
9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
Major Changes in Washington and in America’s Role in the World

Marc Thiessen
Public Speaker

10:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Metalcasters’ Agenda in the Nation’s Capital

Stephanie Salmon
AFS Washington Representative

11:30 – 11:40 a.m.
Announce 2026 Summit Location
11:40 a.m.
Foundry Leadership Summit Adjourns

Registration

Cancellations & Substitutions

AFS presents a variety of technical and management conferences (in both in-person and virtual formats). The refund policy for AFS conferences is as follows: 1) Substitutions are accepted at no charge at any time up until the start of the conference; 2) Full refunds are offered if AFS is notified in writing of cancellation at least 30 days in advance of the conference. No refunds or credits are available for less than 30 days written notice.

Sponsors

Platinum