Conference Opening

Ronald Ashburn, Executive Director, Association for Iron & Steel Technology

Tech Talk: Engage the Machine

More than just hype, these powerful tools deliver cost savings, enhanced safety, improved quality and greater customer service. Our panel will discuss real-world applications and trends for digital, autonomous tools. 

Moderator: Timothy Van Audenaerde, Managing Director, Global Metals Lead, Accenture

Panelists:

• Berk Birand, Chief Executive Officer, Fero Labs
• Jake Loosararian, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Gecko Robotics
• Raunak Bhinge, Chief Executive Officer, Infinite Uptime 

Networking Break

Steel Raw Material Panel

Global raw material executives will provide their perspectives on future developments of regional and global scrap, iron ore, and coal markets. 

Moderator: John Lichtenstein, Managing Partner, World Steel Dynamics

Panelists:

• Andrew De Simone, Country Manager USA, Vale; Managing Officer, Vale USA LLC 
• Al C. Behr, Executive Vice President, Raw Materials, Nucor Corp.
• Ernie Thrasher, Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, XCoal Energy
• Martin Dionne, Global Director Iron Ore & Coal-Graphite Primary Processing, Hatch 

Presentation

Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cleveland-Cliffs

Networking Lunch

Tech Talk: Better Outcomes Through OpEx Optimization 

Energy, raw materials and labor are the top costs for producing steel. Prudent steelmakers also closely monitor their equipment operating costs. Technology partners are responding with an array of solutions to reduce maintenance, automate control and lower risk. This panel will delve into technologies reshaping operational efficiency.

Moderator: Ronald Ashburn, Executive Director, Association for Iron & Steel Technology

Panelists:

• Lee Morgan, Chief Executive Officer and President, The Systems Group
• Rolando Paolone, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technical Officer, Danieli & C. S.p.A.

Interview

Máximo Vedoya, Chief Executive Officer, Ternium 

Interviewed by: Adam Green, Managing Partner, World Steel Dynamics

Interview

TV Narendran, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tata Steel

Interviewed by: John Lichtenstein, Managing Partner, World Steel Dynamics

Willy Korf/Ken Iverson Steel Vision Award and Willy Korf Young Excellence Award Ceremony   

• Steel Vision Award Recipient
  TV Narendran, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tata Steel
• Young Excellence Award Recipient
  Mariana Modesto, Director – Steelmaking Process Community, Vallourec

Networking Break

Interview

Mark Millett, Co-founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, Steel Dynamics Inc.

Interviewed by: John Lichtenstein, Managing Partner, World Steel Dynamics

Reinventing Customer Centricity In The Metals Industry

Metals companies often focus on production and processes, sometimes misaligning efforts with customer priorities. This session will explore how understanding buyer needs and evaluating company performance can better align strategies and investments with customer expectations. By improving alignment, companies can achieve cost savings, unlock new sales opportunities, and enhance competitiveness.

Timothy Van Audenaerd, Managing Director, Global Metals Lead, Accenture

Interview

Mario Arvedi Caldonazzo, Chief Executive Officer, Gruppo Arvedi

Interviewed by: Philipp Englin, Chief Executive Officer, World Steel Dynamics 

Cocktail Reception

Opening Session

Philipp Englin, Chief Executive Officer, World Steel Dynamics 

International Steel Perspectives

This panel will bring together association leaders from Germany, Latin America, India, and the United States to discuss the current state of the global steel industry and how region-specific developments are impacting their respective industries.

Moderator: Edwin Basson, Director General, World Steel Association

Panelists:

• Kevin Dempsey, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Iron and Steel Institute
• Martin Theuringer, Managing Director, Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl
• Ezequiel Tavernelli, Executive Director, Alacero
• Alok Sahay, Secretary General and Executive Head, Indian Steel Association

Interview

Chang In Hwa, Chairman, POSCO Holdings

Interviewed by: Philipp Englin, Chief Executive Officer, World Steel Dynamics 

Networking Break

Economic Outlook in an Age of Tariffs and Uncertainty

This keynote will examine how rising tariffs and trade tensions are reshaping economic conditions. Topics include supply and demand shocks, recession risk, and the uneven global effects of a 360° trade war. Attendees will gain concise, actionable insights for navigating today’s deliberately uncertain economic landscape. 

Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak, Chief Economist, Managing Director and Partner, Boston Consulting Group 

Presentation

Johnny Sjöström, President and Chief Executive Officer, SSAB

Networking Lunch

Tech Talk: The Transition to Carbon-Neutral Steel

While hydrogen-reduced iron remains a promising path to carbon neutrality, the hydrogen sector is not materializing at the speed and scale initially envisioned. Nevertheless, steelmakers continue to pursue greener iron units and steel production techniques. This panel will examine trends, feedstock and technological innovations. 

Moderator: Ronald Ashburn, Executive Director, Association for Iron & Steel Technology

Panelists:

• Joseph Dzierzawski, Vice President of Sales and Strategy, Primetals Technologies USA LLC
• Stephen Montague, Member of the Board, Midrex 

Interview

O’Neil, a leading authority on global trade and supply chains, will offer insights into the current trade tensions, the prospects for re-shoring and near-shoring, and the future of global trade and supply chains

Shannon K. O’Neil, Senior Vice President, Director of Studies and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair, Council on Foreign Relations

Interviewed by: Philipp Englin, Chief Executive Officer, World Steel Dynamics and John Lichtenstein, Managing Partner, World Steel Dynamics

Trade Roundtable

This high-level discussion will explore the impact of “tariff wars” from both domestic and international perspectives, offering critical insights into how governments and industries are responding to protectionist measures, market imbalances, and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Moderator: John Lichtenstein, Managing Partner, World Steel Dynamics

Panelists:

• Alan Price, Partner, Wiley Rein
• Kate Kalutkiewicz, Senior Managing Director, Trade Practice & McLarty Inbound, McLarty Associates
• Anthony De Carvalho, Head of Steel Unit and Senior Economist, OECD

Networking Break

U.S. Downstream Sector Panel

Industry executives from across the U.S. downstream sector will discuss the impact of geopolitics, emerging technologies and evolving customer expectations and demands.

Moderator: Philip Bell, President, Steel Manufacturers Association

Panelists:

• John Ganem, Chief Executive Officer, Kloeckner Metals Corp.
• John Hollatz, Executive Vice President Fabricated Construction Products, Nucor Corp.
• Todd Leebow, President and CEO, Majestic Steel
• Janice Lee, Partner and Director, Boston Consulting Group

Presentation

David Burritt, President and Chief Executive Officer, United States Steel Corporation

Cocktail Reception