Keynote Presentation: How the Future of Automobiles Could Impact the Steel Industry

This presentation frames the future of automobiles based on maturing and emerging technology, and global competition.  It then assesses how this future could impact the use of materials in vehicles with focus on steel and aluminum. It concludes with advice on how to position for the future.

Fireside Chat

Join Barry Schneider for a candid discussion on the state of the US flat-rolled steel market, including demand trends, capital investment, and how Steel Dynamics is positioning itself in a market shaped by tariffs, changing end-use demand, and ongoing shifts in domestic supply. As one of the industry’s most influential operators, his perspective will offer valuable insight into mill strategy, operating discipline and the outlook for North American steel.

Pre-Conference Workshop: Technology That Works: Real-World Digital Transformation in Metals

Join this candid panel discussion on the technologies delivering real operational and commercial value across the metals industry. We’ll explore the most pressing digital transformation questions facing the sector in 2026 and beyond. The panel will examine build versus buy decisions, identify the single technology having the greatest impact, and discuss how business use cases, not just technology alone, drives successful outcomes. The panel will also consider whether user adoption remains the biggest challenge, share lessons learned from deploying AI in industrial settings, and review insights from Crowe’s Technology in Metals Survey. This session offers practical perspectives, honest debate, and real-world lessons for organizations looking to turn digital ambition into measurable impact.

Energy, Trade and the Future of Plate and Tube

This panel offers a timely look at the forces shaping the steel plate and pipe and tube markets from mill production and commercial strategy to downstream distribution. With tariffs, trade policy and energy investment continuing to reshape market access and competitive positioning, the session will explore what tighter import conditions and evolving domestic supply could mean for the year ahead. We’ll also discuss the changing balance between project-driven demand and more traditional industrial activity, along with the role of service, availability and lead times in an increasingly complex market. For anyone following plate or pipe and tube, this conversation will provide a practical view of the opportunities, risks and market signals that matter most.

Pre-Conference Workshop: Technology That Works: Real-World Digital Transformation in Metals

Join this candid panel discussion on the technologies delivering real operational and commercial value across the metals industry. We’ll explore the most pressing digital transformation questions facing the sector in 2026 and beyond. The panel will examine build versus buy decisions, identify the single technology having the greatest impact, and discuss how business use cases, not just technology alone, drives successful outcomes. The panel will also consider whether user adoption remains the biggest challenge, share lessons learned from deploying AI in industrial settings, and review insights from Crowe’s Technology in Metals Survey. This session offers practical perspectives, honest debate, and real-world lessons for organizations looking to turn digital ambition into measurable impact.

Energy, Trade and the Future of Plate and Tube

This panel offers a timely look at the forces shaping the steel plate and pipe and tube markets from mill production and commercial strategy to downstream distribution. With tariffs, trade policy and energy investment continuing to reshape market access and competitive positioning, the session will explore what tighter import conditions and evolving domestic supply could mean for the year ahead. We’ll also discuss the changing balance between project-driven demand and more traditional industrial activity, along with the role of service, availability and lead times in an increasingly complex market. For anyone following plate or pipe and tube, this conversation will provide a practical view of the opportunities, risks and market signals that matter most.

Trade in Transition: Steel, Tariffs and the USMCA

North American steel trade is entering a consequential new phase. With the US declining to renew the USMCA in its current form, tariffs, rules of origin, enforcement and regional supply-chain security will firmly remain at center stage. This session will examine how the evolving policy landscape is affecting steel flows, pricing, investment and market access across the Americas.
As bilateral negotiations continue, significant questions remain for steelmakers, traders and downstream manufacturers alike. Will a more coordinated regional tariff regime emerge? How might changes to Section 232, customs enforcement, raw-material access and automotive rules reshape the competitive balance across the continent, and beyond? This panel offers a timely, informed look at the trade decisions that could define the next chapter of steel in the Americas.

Service Centers: Navigating Demand, Supply and Policy

This panel of leading voices from across the flat-rolled steel distribution chain will take a closer look at where the market stands and where it may be headed. How service centers are managing demand, pricing volatility, inventory discipline and changing customer expectations in a market shaped by tariffs and trade policy. The conversation will also examine what today’s demand patterns are signaling, where end markets remain strongest and how buyers are adapting to tighter supply conditions. For anyone looking to understand how policy, access and market tightness are shaping the downstream steel chain, this session should offer a clear and valuable view from the front lines.

Navigating the Future: A Fireside Chat

Barry Zekelman will discuss the pulse of the steel tubing and pipe market, along with the broader business environment influencing manufacturing, construction and industrial demand. As a leading voice in the steel value chain, he brings a strategic perspective on trade, investment, domestic production and how downstream steel users are responding to market conditions.

NexGen Leadership Award Presentation

Keynote Economist: First Brood

After an incredibly active 2025, has the U.S. economy maintained its momentum in 2026?  In this fast-paced, data-driven presentation, we will monitor the latest trends in employment, housing, commercial real estate, financial markets, and output.  You can expect some surprises, perhaps an insight or two, and maybe even a few laughs as we characterize the present and predict the future.

Fireside Chat with Eddie Lehner

This fireside chat with Edward J. Lehner will examine the evolving role of the service center channel in a market defined by price swings, supply discipline and shifting customer needs. With Ryerson at the center of the downstream steel chain, the discussion will provide a valuable view into demand patterns, distribution strategy and how service centers are adapting to changes in trade, inventory and industrial activity. We’ll also dive deeper into Olympic Steel’s integration.

The Outlook for Steel into 2027 and Beyond

Join Josh, Timna, and John, for a timely discussion on the outlook for U.S. steel markets as prices continue to rise amid falling imports and tightening supply. With hot-rolled coil now above $1,000 per ton, the session will examine how last year’s low pricing suppressed imports, how weekly increases from producers are shaping market behavior, and whether the current shortage will persist or deepen. We will also look at cost curves, the likely sources of future imports, and how supply, demand, and pricing are expected to rebalance in 2027 as more domestic and North American capacity comes online. The discussion will explore the implications of USMCA, 232 tariffs, and the push toward a more “fortress North America” supply model, while also outlining the best commercial strategies for balancing contract and spot purchasing and building inventory in a volatile market.

Service Centers: Navigating Demand, Supply and Policy

This panel of leading voices from across the flat-rolled steel distribution chain will take a closer look at where the market stands and where it may be headed. How service centers are managing demand, pricing volatility, inventory discipline and changing customer expectations in a market shaped by tariffs and trade policy. The conversation will also examine what today’s demand patterns are signaling, where end markets remain strongest and how buyers are adapting to tighter supply conditions. For anyone looking to understand how policy, access and market tightness are shaping the downstream steel chain, this session should offer a clear and valuable view from the front lines.

Fireside Chat with Worthington Steel

In this discussion, Geoff Gilmore will share an inside look at the challenges and opportunities facing a major steel processor and solutions provider in today’s market. The conversation will explore demand across key end markets, the role of service centers and processors in managing volatility, and how Worthington Steel is navigating pricing, inventory and customer expectations in a more complex steel environment. And what else might be in store after the historic acquisition of Kloeckner.

Fireside Chat with Worthington Steel

In this discussion, Geoff Gilmore will share an inside look at the challenges and opportunities facing a major steel processor and solutions provider in today’s market. The conversation will explore demand across key end markets, the role of service centers and processors in managing volatility, and how Worthington Steel is navigating pricing, inventory and customer expectations in a more complex steel environment. And what else might be in store after the historic acquisition of Kloeckner.

Trade in Transition: Steel, Tariffs and the USMCA

North American steel trade is entering a consequential new phase. With the US declining to renew the USMCA in its current form, tariffs, rules of origin, enforcement and regional supply-chain security will firmly remain at center stage. This session will examine how the evolving policy landscape is affecting steel flows, pricing, investment and market access across the Americas.
As bilateral negotiations continue, significant questions remain for steelmakers, traders and downstream manufacturers alike. Will a more coordinated regional tariff regime emerge? How might changes to Section 232, customs enforcement, raw-material access and automotive rules reshape the competitive balance across the continent, and beyond? This panel offers a timely, informed look at the trade decisions that could define the next chapter of steel in the Americas.

Keynote Economist: ITR

Focus on Construction: Inflation Shock 2.0

High oil prices and a weak disjointed economy are competing with an extraordinary amount of capex in AI related infrastructure. The result has been a fragmented construction industry grappling with much higher costs. This session with Eric Gaus will walk us through the ramifications.

AI & Technology Update for the Steel Industry: What’s Changed — and What It Means for Your Business

Gene Marks returns to the SMU Steel Summit with a completely updated presentation on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies impacting the steel industry. Since last year, the pace of change has accelerated dramatically. In this fast-moving, highly practical session, Gene shares the latest developments he’s been covering in Forbes and explains what they mean specifically for steel manufacturers, distributors, and service centers. Attendees will get a clear, real-world look at how these technologies are being applied across the business.

Trade in Transition: Steel, Tariffs and the USMCA

North American steel trade is entering a consequential new phase. With the US declining to renew the USMCA in its current form, tariffs, rules of origin, enforcement and regional supply-chain security will firmly remain at center stage. This session will examine how the evolving policy landscape is affecting steel flows, pricing, investment and market access across the Americas.
As bilateral negotiations continue, significant questions remain for steelmakers, traders and downstream manufacturers alike. Will a more coordinated regional tariff regime emerge? How might changes to Section 232, customs enforcement, raw-material access and automotive rules reshape the competitive balance across the continent, and beyond? This panel offers a timely, informed look at the trade decisions that could define the next chapter of steel in the Americas.

Trade in Transition: Steel, Tariffs and the USMCA

North American steel trade is entering a consequential new phase. With the US declining to renew the USMCA in its current form, tariffs, rules of origin, enforcement and regional supply-chain security will firmly remain at center stage. This session will examine how the evolving policy landscape is affecting steel flows, pricing, investment and market access across the Americas.
As bilateral negotiations continue, significant questions remain for steelmakers, traders and downstream manufacturers alike. Will a more coordinated regional tariff regime emerge? How might changes to Section 232, customs enforcement, raw-material access and automotive rules reshape the competitive balance across the continent, and beyond? This panel offers a timely, informed look at the trade decisions that could define the next chapter of steel in the Americas.

Lobby Stage: Mergers and Acquisitions

The Outlook for Steel into 2027 and Beyond

Join Josh, Timna, and John, for a timely discussion on the outlook for U.S. steel markets as prices continue to rise amid falling imports and tightening supply. With hot-rolled coil now above $1,000 per ton, the session will examine how last year’s low pricing suppressed imports, how weekly increases from producers are shaping market behavior, and whether the current shortage will persist or deepen. We will also look at cost curves, the likely sources of future imports, and how supply, demand, and pricing are expected to rebalance in 2027 as more domestic and North American capacity comes online. The discussion will explore the implications of USMCA, 232 tariffs, and the push toward a more “fortress North America” supply model, while also outlining the best commercial strategies for balancing contract and spot purchasing and building inventory in a volatile market.

Pre-Conference Workshop: Futures, not Forecasting; Understanding the Forward Curve and Hedging Opportunities in Derivatives Markets

Forward curves are essential tools for price discovery, risk management and market participation—but they are not forecasts. This panel will examine why the forward curve cannot predict the future, how market participants use it in practice, and what growing liquidity means for physical hedgers, traders and options users. Drawing on perspectives from a physical market participant, an active trader and market experts, the discussion will explore how futures and options markets have evolved: tighter and more manageable bid-ask spreads, new sources of liquidity, expanding market segments, and increased options activity. A historical price chart will illustrate occasions where futures prices ultimately differed from the path implied by the curve, reinforcing the distinction between risk management and prediction.

CRU Price Case Study

In a market defined by pricing volatility, manufacturers and service centers need buying strategies that are both competitive and resilient. This panel will explore how steel pricing benchmarks can be used to help reduce risk, improve transparency, and support smarter procurement decisions. Our panel of experts will share some approaches that help buyers to stay aligned with market movements, ensure consistent supply, and protect margins when conditions shift. For anyone responsible for direct material costs, supply continuity, or contract management, this panel will bring clarity on how pricing benchmarks can be used to boost visibility and confidence in the steel procurement process.

Energy, Trade and the Future of Plate and Tube

This panel offers a timely look at the forces shaping the steel plate and pipe and tube markets from mill production and commercial strategy to downstream distribution. With tariffs, trade policy and energy investment continuing to reshape market access and competitive positioning, the session will explore what tighter import conditions and evolving domestic supply could mean for the year ahead. We’ll also discuss the changing balance between project-driven demand and more traditional industrial activity, along with the role of service, availability and lead times in an increasingly complex market. For anyone following plate or pipe and tube, this conversation will provide a practical view of the opportunities, risks and market signals that matter most.

The Outlook for Steel into 2027 and Beyond

Join Josh, Timna, and John, for a timely discussion on the outlook for U.S. steel markets as prices continue to rise amid falling imports and tightening supply. With hot-rolled coil now above $1,000 per ton, the session will examine how last year’s low pricing suppressed imports, how weekly increases from producers are shaping market behavior, and whether the current shortage will persist or deepen. We will also look at cost curves, the likely sources of future imports, and how supply, demand, and pricing are expected to rebalance in 2027 as more domestic and North American capacity comes online. The discussion will explore the implications of USMCA, 232 tariffs, and the push toward a more “fortress North America” supply model, while also outlining the best commercial strategies for balancing contract and spot purchasing and building inventory in a volatile market.

Fireside Chat

Noah Hanners will discuss the outlook for sheet steel in a market where mill discipline, tariff protection and end-use demand continue to shape pricing and impact availability. The conversation will provide insight into Nucor’s sheet strategy, domestic capacity, customer behavior and the broader forces influencing one of the most important segments in the US steel market.

Opening Comments

Final Thoughts

One of your favorite articles in the Steel Market Update Newsletter, Live!

Opening of the Conference:

Welcome to the 16th Annual SMU Steel Summit Conference

Opening Comments and Announcements

Opening of the Conference:

Welcome to the 16th Annual SMU Steel Summit Conference

AI & Technology Update for the Steel Industry: What’s Changed — and What It Means for Your Business

Gene Marks returns to the SMU Steel Summit with a completely updated presentation on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies impacting the steel industry. Since last year, the pace of change has accelerated dramatically. In this fast-moving, highly practical session, Gene shares the latest developments he’s been covering in Forbes and explains what they mean specifically for steel manufacturers, distributors, and service centers. Attendees will get a clear, real-world look at how these technologies are being applied across the business.

Fireside Chat with Eddie Lehner

This fireside chat with Edward J. Lehner will examine the evolving role of the service center channel in a market defined by price swings, supply discipline and shifting customer needs. With Ryerson at the center of the downstream steel chain, the discussion will provide a valuable view into demand patterns, distribution strategy and how service centers are adapting to changes in trade, inventory and industrial activity. We’ll also dive deeper into Olympic Steel’s integration.

Energy, Trade and the Future of Plate and Tube

This panel offers a timely look at the forces shaping the steel plate and pipe and tube markets from mill production and commercial strategy to downstream distribution. With tariffs, trade policy and energy investment continuing to reshape market access and competitive positioning, the session will explore what tighter import conditions and evolving domestic supply could mean for the year ahead. We’ll also discuss the changing balance between project-driven demand and more traditional industrial activity, along with the role of service, availability and lead times in an increasingly complex market. For anyone following plate or pipe and tube, this conversation will provide a practical view of the opportunities, risks and market signals that matter most.

Fireside Chat

Noah Hanners will discuss the outlook for sheet steel in a market where mill discipline, tariff protection and end-use demand continue to shape pricing and impact availability. The conversation will provide insight into Nucor’s sheet strategy, domestic capacity, customer behavior and the broader forces influencing one of the most important segments in the US steel market.

The Outlook for Steel into 2027 and Beyond

Join Josh, Timna, and John, for a timely discussion on the outlook for U.S. steel markets as prices continue to rise amid falling imports and tightening supply. With hot-rolled coil now above $1,000 per ton, the session will examine how last year’s low pricing suppressed imports, how weekly increases from producers are shaping market behavior, and whether the current shortage will persist or deepen. We will also look at cost curves, the likely sources of future imports, and how supply, demand, and pricing are expected to rebalance in 2027 as more domestic and North American capacity comes online. The discussion will explore the implications of USMCA, 232 tariffs, and the push toward a more “fortress North America” supply model, while also outlining the best commercial strategies for balancing contract and spot purchasing and building inventory in a volatile market.

Fireside Chat

Join Barry Schneider for a candid discussion on the state of the US flat-rolled steel market, including demand trends, capital investment, and how Steel Dynamics is positioning itself in a market shaped by tariffs, changing end-use demand, and ongoing shifts in domestic supply. As one of the industry’s most influential operators, his perspective will offer valuable insight into mill strategy, operating discipline and the outlook for North American steel.

Navigating the Future: A Fireside Chat

Barry Zekelman will discuss the pulse of the steel tubing and pipe market, along with the broader business environment influencing manufacturing, construction and industrial demand. As a leading voice in the steel value chain, he brings a strategic perspective on trade, investment, domestic production and how downstream steel users are responding to market conditions.

Focus on Auto

Focus on Construction: Inflation Shock 2.0

High oil prices and a weak disjointed economy are competing with an extraordinary amount of capex in AI related infrastructure. The result has been a fragmented construction industry grappling with much higher costs. This session with Eric Gaus will walk us through the ramifications.

Keynote Economist: First Brood

After an incredibly active 2025, has the U.S. economy maintained its momentum in 2026?  In this fast-paced, data-driven presentation, we will monitor the latest trends in employment, housing, commercial real estate, financial markets, and output.  You can expect some surprises, perhaps an insight or two, and maybe even a few laughs as we characterize the present and predict the future.

Service Centers: Navigating Demand, Supply and Policy

This panel of leading voices from across the flat-rolled steel distribution chain will take a closer look at where the market stands and where it may be headed. How service centers are managing demand, pricing volatility, inventory discipline and changing customer expectations in a market shaped by tariffs and trade policy. The conversation will also examine what today’s demand patterns are signaling, where end markets remain strongest and how buyers are adapting to tighter supply conditions. For anyone looking to understand how policy, access and market tightness are shaping the downstream steel chain, this session should offer a clear and valuable view from the front lines.

Pre-Conference Workshop: Technology That Works: Real-World Digital Transformation in Metals

Join this candid panel discussion on the technologies delivering real operational and commercial value across the metals industry. We’ll explore the most pressing digital transformation questions facing the sector in 2026 and beyond. The panel will examine build versus buy decisions, identify the single technology having the greatest impact, and discuss how business use cases, not just technology alone, drives successful outcomes. The panel will also consider whether user adoption remains the biggest challenge, share lessons learned from deploying AI in industrial settings, and review insights from Crowe’s Technology in Metals Survey. This session offers practical perspectives, honest debate, and real-world lessons for organizations looking to turn digital ambition into measurable impact.

Keynote Presentation: How the Future of Automobiles Could Impact the Steel Industry

This presentation frames the future of automobiles based on maturing and emerging technology, and global competition.  It then assesses how this future could impact the use of materials in vehicles with focus on steel and aluminum. It concludes with advice on how to position for the future.

Keynote Economist: ITR

Fireside Chat with Scout Motors

Hear directly from Logan Wetekamp in a conversation that brings the automaker’s perspective into focus. This session will explore how Scout Motors, Inc. is thinking about material sourcing, procurement strategy and the role of steel—including high-strength steels—as it develops a new generation of rugged, all-electric vehicles for the US market. For steel suppliers and market observers alike, it offers a rare look at how an emerging OEM is shaping its supply chain from the ground up.

Fireside Chat with Worthington Steel

In this discussion, Geoff Gilmore will share an inside look at the challenges and opportunities facing a major steel processor and solutions provider in today’s market. The conversation will explore demand across key end markets, the role of service centers and processors in managing volatility, and how Worthington Steel is navigating pricing, inventory and customer expectations in a more complex steel environment. And what else might be in store after the historic acquisition of Kloeckner.

Pre-Conference Workshop: Futures, not Forecasting; Understanding the Forward Curve and Hedging Opportunities in Derivatives Markets

Forward curves are essential tools for price discovery, risk management and market participation—but they are not forecasts. This panel will examine why the forward curve cannot predict the future, how market participants use it in practice, and what growing liquidity means for physical hedgers, traders and options users. Drawing on perspectives from a physical market participant, an active trader and market experts, the discussion will explore how futures and options markets have evolved: tighter and more manageable bid-ask spreads, new sources of liquidity, expanding market segments, and increased options activity. A historical price chart will illustrate occasions where futures prices ultimately differed from the path implied by the curve, reinforcing the distinction between risk management and prediction.

Pre-Conference Workshop: Futures, not Forecasting; Understanding the Forward Curve and Hedging Opportunities in Derivatives Markets

Forward curves are essential tools for price discovery, risk management and market participation—but they are not forecasts. This panel will examine why the forward curve cannot predict the future, how market participants use it in practice, and what growing liquidity means for physical hedgers, traders and options users. Drawing on perspectives from a physical market participant, an active trader and market experts, the discussion will explore how futures and options markets have evolved: tighter and more manageable bid-ask spreads, new sources of liquidity, expanding market segments, and increased options activity. A historical price chart will illustrate occasions where futures prices ultimately differed from the path implied by the curve, reinforcing the distinction between risk management and prediction.

Pre-Conference Workshop: Technology That Works: Real-World Digital Transformation in Metals

Join this candid panel discussion on the technologies delivering real operational and commercial value across the metals industry. We’ll explore the most pressing digital transformation questions facing the sector in 2026 and beyond. The panel will examine build versus buy decisions, identify the single technology having the greatest impact, and discuss how business use cases, not just technology alone, drives successful outcomes. The panel will also consider whether user adoption remains the biggest challenge, share lessons learned from deploying AI in industrial settings, and review insights from Crowe’s Technology in Metals Survey. This session offers practical perspectives, honest debate, and real-world lessons for organizations looking to turn digital ambition into measurable impact.

CRU Price Case Study

In a market defined by pricing volatility, manufacturers and service centers need buying strategies that are both competitive and resilient. This panel will explore how steel pricing benchmarks can be used to help reduce risk, improve transparency, and support smarter procurement decisions. Our panel of experts will share some approaches that help buyers to stay aligned with market movements, ensure consistent supply, and protect margins when conditions shift. For anyone responsible for direct material costs, supply continuity, or contract management, this panel will bring clarity on how pricing benchmarks can be used to boost visibility and confidence in the steel procurement process.

Energy, Trade and the Future of Plate and Tube

This panel offers a timely look at the forces shaping the steel plate and pipe and tube markets from mill production and commercial strategy to downstream distribution. With tariffs, trade policy and energy investment continuing to reshape market access and competitive positioning, the session will explore what tighter import conditions and evolving domestic supply could mean for the year ahead. We’ll also discuss the changing balance between project-driven demand and more traditional industrial activity, along with the role of service, availability and lead times in an increasingly complex market. For anyone following plate or pipe and tube, this conversation will provide a practical view of the opportunities, risks and market signals that matter most.

Lobby Stage: The Invisible Essential: Why EAF Steelmaking Runs on Graphite Electrodes

Every ton of Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel starts with an electric arc — and every arc runs through a graphite electrode. There is no substitute, no workaround, and no EAF steelmaking without it. Yet the market behind this mission-critical consumable is under quiet strain: capacity has been shrinking outside China, new EAF projects keep adding demand, and the battery boom is now competing for the same raw material. In this session, we follow the journey from oil to arc and unpack what it means for supply security, pricing, and the future of low-carbon steel production. Whether you make steel, buy it, trade it, analyze it, or write about it — this is the session that explains what keeps the arc burning.

Focus on Auto

CRU Price Case Study

In a market defined by pricing volatility, manufacturers and service centers need buying strategies that are both competitive and resilient. This panel will explore how steel pricing benchmarks can be used to help reduce risk, improve transparency, and support smarter procurement decisions. Our panel of experts will share some approaches that help buyers to stay aligned with market movements, ensure consistent supply, and protect margins when conditions shift. For anyone responsible for direct material costs, supply continuity, or contract management, this panel will bring clarity on how pricing benchmarks can be used to boost visibility and confidence in the steel procurement process.

Lobby Stage: AI as a Growth Engine: Powering Steel's Next Era of Revenue

AI is already a revenue engine for the steel industry. In this session, Kiara Nirghin, Founder and CEO of Emanate, explores how frontier AI agents are transforming the full revenue cycle for industrial materials companies, from RFQ response and outbound prospecting to customer expansion and pricing intelligence. A field report from the front lines of AI in steel, the session offers a deep perspective on how AI is compressing response times, growing wallet share, and unlocking new revenue, all without replacing the relationships that define the business.

Lobby Stage: Mergers and Acquisitions

Lobby Stage: The Invisible Essential: Why EAF Steelmaking Runs on Graphite Electrodes

Every ton of Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel starts with an electric arc — and every arc runs through a graphite electrode. There is no substitute, no workaround, and no EAF steelmaking without it. Yet the market behind this mission-critical consumable is under quiet strain: capacity has been shrinking outside China, new EAF projects keep adding demand, and the battery boom is now competing for the same raw material. In this session, we follow the journey from oil to arc and unpack what it means for supply security, pricing, and the future of low-carbon steel production. Whether you make steel, buy it, trade it, analyze it, or write about it — this is the session that explains what keeps the arc burning.

Fireside on Scrap

In this fireside chat, George Adams will provide insight into the recycled metals market and the role scrap plays in powering the next generation of steelmaking. The conversation will cover supply, pricing, collection trends and the evolving dynamics of the circular economy, offering steel market attendees a clearer view of one of the industry’s most important raw material streams.

Trade in Transition: Steel, Tariffs and the USMCA

North American steel trade is entering a consequential new phase. With the US declining to renew the USMCA in its current form, tariffs, rules of origin, enforcement and regional supply-chain security will firmly remain at center stage. This session will examine how the evolving policy landscape is affecting steel flows, pricing, investment and market access across the Americas.
As bilateral negotiations continue, significant questions remain for steelmakers, traders and downstream manufacturers alike. Will a more coordinated regional tariff regime emerge? How might changes to Section 232, customs enforcement, raw-material access and automotive rules reshape the competitive balance across the continent, and beyond? This panel offers a timely, informed look at the trade decisions that could define the next chapter of steel in the Americas.

Lobby Stage: The Invisible Essential: Why EAF Steelmaking Runs on Graphite Electrodes

Every ton of Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel starts with an electric arc — and every arc runs through a graphite electrode. There is no substitute, no workaround, and no EAF steelmaking without it. Yet the market behind this mission-critical consumable is under quiet strain: capacity has been shrinking outside China, new EAF projects keep adding demand, and the battery boom is now competing for the same raw material. In this session, we follow the journey from oil to arc and unpack what it means for supply security, pricing, and the future of low-carbon steel production. Whether you make steel, buy it, trade it, analyze it, or write about it — this is the session that explains what keeps the arc burning.

Service Centers: Navigating Demand, Supply and Policy

This panel of leading voices from across the flat-rolled steel distribution chain will take a closer look at where the market stands and where it may be headed. How service centers are managing demand, pricing volatility, inventory discipline and changing customer expectations in a market shaped by tariffs and trade policy. The conversation will also examine what today’s demand patterns are signaling, where end markets remain strongest and how buyers are adapting to tighter supply conditions. For anyone looking to understand how policy, access and market tightness are shaping the downstream steel chain, this session should offer a clear and valuable view from the front lines.

Lobby Stage: AI as a Growth Engine: Powering Steel's Next Era of Revenue

AI is already a revenue engine for the steel industry. In this session, Kiara Nirghin, Founder and CEO of Emanate, explores how frontier AI agents are transforming the full revenue cycle for industrial materials companies, from RFQ response and outbound prospecting to customer expansion and pricing intelligence. A field report from the front lines of AI in steel, the session offers a deep perspective on how AI is compressing response times, growing wallet share, and unlocking new revenue, all without replacing the relationships that define the business.

Lobby Stage: Mergers and Acquisitions

Fireside Chat with Scout Motors

Hear directly from Logan Wetekamp in a conversation that brings the automaker’s perspective into focus. This session will explore how Scout Motors, Inc. is thinking about material sourcing, procurement strategy and the role of steel—including high-strength steels—as it develops a new generation of rugged, all-electric vehicles for the US market. For steel suppliers and market observers alike, it offers a rare look at how an emerging OEM is shaping its supply chain from the ground up.

Pre-Conference Workshop: Futures, not Forecasting; Understanding the Forward Curve and Hedging Opportunities in Derivatives Markets

Forward curves are essential tools for price discovery, risk management and market participation—but they are not forecasts. This panel will examine why the forward curve cannot predict the future, how market participants use it in practice, and what growing liquidity means for physical hedgers, traders and options users. Drawing on perspectives from a physical market participant, an active trader and market experts, the discussion will explore how futures and options markets have evolved: tighter and more manageable bid-ask spreads, new sources of liquidity, expanding market segments, and increased options activity. A historical price chart will illustrate occasions where futures prices ultimately differed from the path implied by the curve, reinforcing the distinction between risk management and prediction.

Fireside on Scrap

In this fireside chat, George Adams will provide insight into the recycled metals market and the role scrap plays in powering the next generation of steelmaking. The conversation will cover supply, pricing, collection trends and the evolving dynamics of the circular economy, offering steel market attendees a clearer view of one of the industry’s most important raw material streams.

Pre-Conference Workshop: Futures, not Forecasting; Understanding the Forward Curve and Hedging Opportunities in Derivatives Markets

Forward curves are essential tools for price discovery, risk management and market participation—but they are not forecasts. This panel will examine why the forward curve cannot predict the future, how market participants use it in practice, and what growing liquidity means for physical hedgers, traders and options users. Drawing on perspectives from a physical market participant, an active trader and market experts, the discussion will explore how futures and options markets have evolved: tighter and more manageable bid-ask spreads, new sources of liquidity, expanding market segments, and increased options activity. A historical price chart will illustrate occasions where futures prices ultimately differed from the path implied by the curve, reinforcing the distinction between risk management and prediction.