If the question “What are you doing for SteelDay?” 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 AISC-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, jobsites, 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 Ill., and
St. Louis Screw and Bolt in Mo.
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 Wheelabrator
blasting machine, or stood next to a 14-ft girder,” said Bill McEleney, director of the National Steel
Bridge Alliance (NSBA), 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, 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 Ill., Governor Joe Manchin III of W.Va., and Dan Onorato, the County
Executive of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, Pa., 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 (CISC) 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 page, 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 page 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
Article written by:
Chris Moor, AISC director of industry mobilization
Tasha O’Berski, AISC public relations specialist