Community Events
July 31, 2026
SMU Steel Summit 2026: It’s heating up!
Written by David Schollaert
We’re just about three-and-a-half weeks away from the big dance. Have you punched your ticket to the can’t-miss flat-rolled steel gathering of 2026 yet?
If not, what are you waiting for? Register now!
The steel industry will converge on Atlanta in around 24 days. They will come from more than 500 companies and 25-plus countries to network, negotiate, exchange ideas, plan, dream and examine what’s a stake, and what lies ahead.
Don’t miss this chance to be in the room with 1,600-plus industry professionals addressing today’s most pressing dynamics and tomorrow’s drivers.
Were on pace for another historic turnout. More than 1,200 steel industry professionals have already registered to attend the Summit on Aug. 24-26 at the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) in Atlanta.
Who’s coming and who will you meet?
Don’t delay, get networking today. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to download the app—App Store or Google Play—and get instant access to the industry’s largest gathering. Start planning and networking before you arrive, and ensure you’re fully prepared to maximize every moment on site.
2026 agenda highlights
Across three days, SMU Steel Summit will bring the North American flat-rolled steel supply chain together for timely market analysis, executive perspectives, and practical conversations on the forces shaping the year ahead.
Steel outlook: Forecasting the road to 2027
Get the big-picture view on steel pricing, domestic capacity, imports, tariffs, and purchasing strategy. Josh Spoores, Timna Tanners, and John Anton will examine the outlook for sheet steel, while economists Dr. Anirban Basu and Taylor St. Germain of ITR will put steel’s path in the context of the broader economy.
Executive conversations: Strategy from the steel supply chain
Hear directly from leaders making decisions across mills, processors, distribution, automotive and recycling. Featured fireside chats include Barry Schneider, Geoff Gilmore, Edward Lehner, Noah Hanners, Barry Zekelman, Logan Wetekamp, and George Adams.
Trade, Tariffs and the Americas steel equation
Trade policy remains central to steel pricing, market access and investment decisions. The Trade in Transition: Steel, Tariffs and the USMCA panel will feature Philip Bell, Ezequiel Tavernelli, Kevin Dempsey, and Lewis Leibowitz. Expect a focused discussion of Section 232, the evolving USMCA review, the future of regional supply chains, and all things trade.
Demand drivers: Automotive, construction, energy and industrial markets
Explore the end markets that will shape steel demand. Lawrence Burns will deliver a keynote on the future of automobiles and its implications for steel and aluminum, while Mark Strand and Eric Gaus will provide focused outlooks for auto and construction. The program also spotlights plate, pipe and tube demand through a discussion with Rob Simon, Jeff Moskaluk, Doyle Hopper, and Rick Preckel.
The downstream market: Service, inventory and customer strategy
Service centers and processors remain the market’s critical link between mill supply and end-user demand. Jodi Parnell, Ilse Henne, and Thad Solomon will discuss inventory discipline, pricing volatility, tariffs, supply accessibility, and the demand signals emerging across key end markets.
Technology, risk management and steelmaking inputs
See how the industry is applying new tools and managing evolving risks. Gene Marks will provide a practical update on AI and emerging technology for metals businesses, while Emanate AI will explore machine intelligence’s growing role in industrial revenue operations. GrafTech International will examine the graphite-electrode supply chain behind EAF steelmaking. And other pre-conference sessions will cover steel futures and hedging, price-benchmark strategy, M&A activity, and real-world digital transformation.
From market outlooks and trade policy to executive strategy and end-market demand, Steel Summit 2026 offers the conversations and connections needed to navigate a changing steel market.
See who’s already attending
Click here for a complete list of who’s confirmed their attendance at this year’s big dance. Spaces are filling up, so be sure to reserve a place now!
We can’t wait to see you there!
PS – If you haven’t yet, you can check out the full agenda here and register here.
