REVISED! Click Here for an updated Preliminary Schedule of Events.
PROGRAM
The 2017 AWPA Annual Meeting will be held in beautiful Napa, CA. We hope you will join us Monday through Wednesday, February 20-22, at the Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa, CA. The 2017 Annual Meeting brings together experts on the political environment and the economy, the latest information on trade issues affecting the industry, provides current perspective on the rod market, and gives you the opportunity to discuss current issues with colleagues and customers.
The 2017 Annual Meeting will consist of General Sessions, Committee, Board and Business meetings, a golf tournament and evening receptions, along with an optional winery our, tasting & dinner. The AWPA website, www.awpa.org, is your source for the most current information about the Annual Meeting. Once you are at the website, click on Upcoming Events and the 2017 Annual Meeting. You will find complete meeting information including a schedule of events, biographies of speakers as they are confirmed, and a list of attendees updated in real time, as members register for the meeting.
As we continue to refine our program over the next few weeks and the elements of the schedule are finalized, we will provide program information and speaker biographies on the website and in The Wire – news coming to your email inbox several times each month. (Please make sure our email addresses, @mailingmaxx.awpa.org and @awpa.org, are in your contact list and on your email server ‘white list’.)
GENERAL SESSIONS
The State of the Union: Manufacturing Edition
2017 will bring a new administration to the White House, and will mark the first time since 2001 that the GOP has held both the Executive and Congressional branches of government. How will the wave of populism affect the Congressional agenda? What will the Trump Presidency mean for our industry? What impact will new policies have on the US and global economies? Will the latest developments in manufacturing technology help the industry thrive? We will hear from experts to provide the latest information and analysis.
Agenda for the 115th Congress
After the momentous 2016 election, the Republican Party holds control of both houses of Congress. Will this mean an end to legislative gridlock? What priorities will the Republicans choose to emphasize? Will the failure of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), make China an unstoppable force in International Trade? We will hear from an expert on what to expect in the upcoming year.
Election Update
In February, the election season will finally be over, and the new Congress will be in session. Janet Kopenhaver, AWPA Director of Government Affairs, will brief you on developments since the 2016 elections, as well as what action to expect from Congress and the new administration in 2017. What issues will be on the forefront, and what strategies will AWPA pursue to have an impact on Capitol Hill?
Economic Outlook for the Steel Industry
Economic indicators continue to improve – will the economic recovery continue, or are these improvements temporary? What effect will the global economy have on the steel sector next year, and what effects will this have on the US wire industry? How will the automotive and construction sectors fare in the coming year? We’ll hear from an economic forecaster to provide some insight.
Rod Market Outlook
There have been important developments in the rod market in the past year – what impact will they have on business? AWPA will provide insight into the supply and demand issues that will affect the industry and your business in 2017.
Technology in Manufacturing
Manufacturing technology is developing faster than ever. Is your company embracing the Internet of Things (IoT)? Will 3D printing impact the wire industry? How can technology be used to control cost and improve quality? Understanding technology changes in manufacturing is more important than ever. Come hear the latest, and find out if your company is positioned to take advantage.
MEETINGS
Committee Meetings
Committee meetings will be held on Monday. Committee meetings are the forum where activities and programs are planned and issues of concern are discussed. All members and potential members are welcome and encouraged to attend the Membership, PC Strand, Rope and Stainless Committee meetings. Attendance at the Executive Committee, Government Relations Advisory Committee and Board of Directors meetings are limited to the designated committee members. Please refer to the preliminary program for dates and times.
Business Meetings
Active and Associate Member Business Meetings, an important component of the Annual Meeting, are the venue of the official business of the Association. These meetings will take place Wednesday morning. The Active Member Business Meeting will include the election of Officers and Directors, a financial report, and the discussion of any business or policy issues that require attention. What projects will AWPA members undertake to work cooperatively in the coming year to tackle the issues the industry is facing? Your company has a stake in what AWPA decides to do. Please make time to attend these important Association business meetings.
AWPA Suppliers and Active members are reminded it is the policy of the AWPA that commercial meetings and private social events may not be scheduled during the general sessions and evening events on the Annual Meeting Schedule of Events.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Opening Cocktail Reception and Wine Tasting – Sponsored by the Associate Members
Monday, February 20 – 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
The first official gathering of all the members is the opening cocktail reception on Wednesday evening. This is your opportunity to seek out information about what your colleagues and suppliers are doing. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served, before you head off to dinner. Dress is evening resort casual.
During this year's opening reception, you will have the opportunity to participate in a tasting of wines from long-time AWPA member Ray Coniglio's family vineyard. Charles E. and Steven C. Coniglio founded Coniglio Wines in 2001. Their vision is to produce hand crafted single vineyard wines that reflect the uniqueness and express the nuances of Cabernet Sauvignon from each mountain district in the Napa Valley. Charles has wine in his blood, a second generation Italian-American, whose grandfather came to the United States in 1892 from Cerda, Sicily, one of Sicily's finest winemaking areas. Charles' passion for fine wines has been handed down from generations of Italian winemakers. There is an additional fee of $30 to participate.
Awards Reception
Tuesday, February 21 – 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Join your AWPA colleagues for a reception Thursday evening with great food, cocktails and music. The sports tournament winners will collect their prizes, and the Max Moore Entrepreneurial Spirit Award will be presented to the tenth recipient of AWPA’s prestigious industry award. If you would like to nominate someone for this coveted award, submit your nomination to the AWPA office by December 30, 2017. Nomination materials are available on the AWPA Members Site at https://www.awpa.org/our-members/max-moore-award/. Please consider a $50 donation to the Max Moore Award fund, when registering for the meeting.