Steel Has its Day
If the question “What are you doing for Steel- Day?” isn’t already familiar from the inaugural event last year (more than 7,000 architects, engineers, contractors, owners, developers and university students participated), it very well may be this year. This September 24 marks the second annual day dedicated to the structural steel industry.
The structural steel industry often flies under the radar. Communities don’t always realize there is a structural steel fabricator or service center right in their own backyard, perhaps even their zip code. In fact, when they hear the word “steel,” they think of dirty factories or “industrial areas” spewing pollution into our environment. Of course, those of us in the industry know that this image couldn’t be further from the truth.
Today’s structural steel industry is a modern, efficient business that uses some of the most advanced and efficient technologies, tools, and processes available. Steel is the most recycled material on the planet, and in terms of environmental friendliness there is no greener material out there.
Interact, Learn, Build
Too often, though, people need to be shown something rather than just told it, and this is where SteelDay comes in. SteelDay is an American Institute of Steel Construction sponsored day that promotes and celebrates the fabricated structural steel industry. It’s a unique opportunity for steel industry players to open their facilities to the public and show them how their processes work, provide hands-on education about the latest advances in the industry, and put to rest any notions that the steel supply chain is an inefficient, earth harming juggernaut. On top of this, SteelDay serves as an interactive networking day for members of the design, construction and steel communities.
“It’s a great opportunity for designers and others to see first-hand how the structural steel industry is building high-performance and sustainable projects,” explained Roger E. Ferch, P.E., AISC’s president.
During the first ever SteelDay last fall, at more than 170 different locations across the nation, steel fabricators, mills, service centers, galvanizers, HSS producers, bender-rollers and others opened their facilities, job sites and offices, offering free tours and inviting the AEC community and general public to see how the structural industry contributes to building America. It was a massive event for structural steel and provided tremendous exposure for the industry.
“SteelDay gives you an appreciation for what goes into your design—and [the steel industry’s] efforts to recycle and be environmentally friendly,” commented Rick Miles, P.E., a SteelDay 2009 attendee and senior engineer at Sparks Engineering Inc., in Round Rock, Texas.
At a time when the economy weighs so heavily on people’s minds, SteelDay created excitement and anticipation while raising interest on the future of the industry. It has given the design and construction community something to look forward to, not only on the actual day itself but also as the economy begins to rev up. Many of the interactions that took place at the events spurred conversations on project collaboration and job prospects.
“I was able to see things and ask questions; without SteelDay these would have taken appointments and not gotten done,” commented Richard J. Kohnen of Essential Engineered Inspections LLC, who attended multiple events on SteelDay including Atlas Iron Works in St. Louis, and St. Louis Screw and Bolt in Madison, Ill.
Students from several universities around the country also attended SteelDay events and gained practical insight into various opportunities available in engineering and construction.
“It was incredible watching the faces of the college students as they got a first hand look at submerged arc welding, or felt the warmth of shiny metal as it emerged from the Wheel abrator blasting machine, or stood next to a 14-foot [4-m] girder,” said Bill McEleney, director of the National Steel Bridge Alliance, who attended a SteelDay event at Hirschfeld Industries steel fabricating plant in Colfax, N.C.
SteelDay received national and local government recognition that acknowledged the critical role of structural steel in the country’s infrastructure, economy and employment. SteelDay was entered in the Congressional Record by Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, who congratulated the structural steel industry and said, “Steel has featured prominently in America’s past and present and will undoubtedly play an important role in our nation’s future.”
Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois, Governor Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, and Dan Onorato, the County Executive of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, all signed proclamations. Government officials attended events in recognition of the structural steel industry’s commitment to sustainable construction and structural steel’s contributions as a safe, strong and effective building material.
SteelDay Goes Global
SteelDay 2010 is expected to attract even more participants than in 2009. So far, 140 events are planned. To reach more people domestically,the American Galvanizing Association has teamed up with AISC to provide dozens of galvanizer tours and presentations around the country. In addition, AISC introduces two International SteelDay partners; The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction, and Promozione Acciaio in Italy, will bring relationship building events and presentations to the design and construction communities in the Canadian provinces and Italy.
By partnering with international steel related trade associations such as CISC and Promozione Acciaio in Italy, AISC bridges the concept of SteelDay with the design and construction community around the world while providing tailored benefits and philosophies to each organization’s members.
CISC has launched a public SteelDay website, www.steelday.ca, where attendees can learn about events happening in Canada and how to sign up. Similarly, the Promozione Acciaio has created a SteelDay website and blog at www.steelday.it, featuring public events occurring in the city of Brescia.
More information on SteelDay 2010 can be found on AISC’s official SteelDay website at www.steelday.org. Details on registration and what this year’s events have to offer will continually be updated.
Chris Moor is the Chicago-based American Institute of Steel Construction’s director of industry initiatives and Tasha O’Berski is the AISC’s public relations specialist. For more information, go to www.aisc.org.
