If you have an iPhone, MSCI has a convenient Conference App which will provide you with all the details of the conference, speakers, current attendance list, session room locations, property maps and other helpful information.  Go to the App Store and search for MSCI.  If you have an Android phone, go to Google Play to download our app.

What to Wear
During the day, business/resort casual sportswear is appropriate attire for our business sessions. This includes khaki slacks, polo-style shirts, or sweaters for the gentlemen; slacks, skirts, polo-style shirts, blouses, or sweaters for the ladies. Remember meeting room temperatures and personal comfort zones vary widely. It is recommended that you bring a sweater or jacket to the sessions.

Outdoor receptions are planned – weather permitting.  While planning your wardrobe (casual and comfortable clothing; jackets are recommended), please remember that D.C.’s average high and low temperatures in early May are 72° high and 52° low.

For questions or assistance, contact:

Rose Manfredini
Vice President, Membership & Events
(847) 485-3008–rmanfredini@msci.org

Briana Dee
Senior Membership and Events Coordinator
(847) 485-3021–bdee@msci.org

Sunday, May 3, 2020

1:00 pm – 6:00 pm 
Registration & Hospitality

4:00 – 5:00 pm
China, Trade Policies, Tariffs and More
Peter Navarro, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy

6:00 – 7:00 pm
First Time Attendee & Affiliate Member Reception
By invitation only

7:00 – 10:00 pm
Welcome Party

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY

11:00 – 2:30 pm
Tour of Mount Vernon Estate

 

Monday, May 4, 2020

8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Registration

8:00 am – 8:30 am
Breakfast Buffet

8:30 am
Opening Ceremonies

8:45 – 9:30 am
Perspectives from the Top
Burritt will share his perspective on disruptive technologies, talent and trade, M&A, investments, new product development and more.
David B. Burritt, President & Chief Executive Officer, United States Steel Corporation

9:30 – 10:00 am
Refreshment Break

10:00 – 11:00 am 
Trade & Tariffs:  The Good the Bad and the Ugly
Leaders in the metals and manufacturing industries will discuss the implications of the trade policies and tariffs.

Moderator:  M. Robert Weidner, President & CEO, MSCI

Philip K. Bell, President, Steel Manufacturers Association
Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President & Chief Policy Officer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Thomas J. Gibson, President & CEO, American Iron and Steel Institute
Jay Timmons, President & CEO, National Association of Manufacturers (Invited)

11:00 am – Noon
Talent as a Competitive Advantage
Jia Wang, Professor, Educational Administration and Human Resource Development, Texas A&M University
Panelists To Be Announced

Noon – 1:00 pm
Luncheon

1:00 – 1:45 pm
Perspectives from the Top
Smith will share her perspective on disruptive technologies, talent and trade, M&A, investments, new product development and more.
Barbara R. Smith, Chairman of the Board, President & CEO, Commercial Metals Company

1:45 – 2:15 pm 
Refreshment Break

2:15 – 3:15 pm
Politics & Policy:  Point Counterpoint
Donna Brazile, Renowned Political Strategist and Commentator, Former Interim Chair of the Democratic National Committee
David Urban, Prominent Republican Strategist & Advisor and CNN Political Commentator

4:00 – 5:00 pm
Reception

Mill Night
Monday evening is open for customer entertainment.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

8:00 am – 11:30 am
Registration

8:00 – 8:30 am
Breakfast Buffet

8:30 – 9:30 am
Global Economic Update
Chad Moutray, Chief Economist, National Association of Manufacturers

9:30 – 10:00 am
Refreshment Break

10:00 – 10:45 am
Overcoming the Commoditization of Metal
Buyers of metals historically based their decisions on a combination of price, availability and relationship, but as buying organizations have evolved, these are no longer enough, and the industry has become increasingly commoditized.  This session shares the highlights of their study on this market, including: the impact of commoditization; ways that some leading organizations are differentiating beyond price, availability, and relationship; and some tips for beginning to overcome commoditization.
Dean McMann, Partner, McMann & Ransford
Mark Slotnik, Partner, McMann & Ransford

10:45 – 11:30 am
State of Institute
Robert Weidner, III, President & CEO, Metals Service Center Institute

Annual Meeting of Members

Awards and Acknowledgements

More Metal!  Metal Matters
Edward J. Lehner, President & Chief Executive Officer, Ryerson

Mill Night
Tuesday evening is open for  customer entertainment.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

9:00 – 10:00 am
Spouse/Guest Program:  Guided Breath and Meditation and the Benefits of CBD
Learn daily self-care techniques to keep you balanced and focused throughout the week.  We will guide you through simple exercises to implement at home to help increase wellbeing and productivity.  Hear about the game-changing science of CBD on inflammation reduction.
Presented by MGM National Harbor Spa
For a list of spa services being offered to MSCI members at a discounted rate, click here.

Sunday, May 3 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Are you an MSCI Affiliate Member? Is this your first Annual Meeting or first MSCI event? The MSCI Board of Directors and MSCI staff welcome you to the 2020 Annual Meeting! Please join us for an early start and meet Board Members and staff prior to our Sunday Welcome Party.

MGM National Harbor is the premiere entertainment destination located on the banks of the Potomac just outside of Washington DC. Featuring a 3,000 seat Theater, 308 luxurious hotel rooms, restaurants from acclaimed chefs and a gaming floor bigger than the White House, MGM National Harbor delivers monumental experiences daily.

MGM National Harbor
101 MGM National Ave.
Oxon Hill, MD 20745
Ph: 301-971-5000
https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/hotels/united-states/mgm-national-harbor.html#/MGM%20National%20Harbor

Online reservations may be made here.

When calling, please mention MSCI to receive the negotiated rate. When calling, please mention MSCI to receive the negotiated rate.

Room rates (single/double occupancy, plus state and local taxes) and a discounted $20.00 resort fee.

Run of House Rooms         $259.00
King Suites              $359.00 – based upon availability

To upgrade to a King Suite, please reserve your room and then contact LaToya Turner at MGM National Harbor at 301-971-5825 or email to laturner@mgmnationalharbor.com.

Cut-off date:  Monday, March 30, 2020

Please note:  It is recommended that you make your hotel accommodations early to ascertain availability. MSCI cannot guarantee availability or the room rate after Monday, March 30, 2020 or when the MSCI room block is filled— whichever occurs first.

All reservation requests must be accompanied by a first night room deposit, or guaranteed with a major credit card. Deposits will be refundable only if the reservation is cancelled 72 hours prior to arrival date.

Hotel check-in time is 4:00 pm and check-out time is Noon.  While the hotel will attempt to accommodate early check-in and late departures, it cannot be guaranteed depending upon hotel occupancy.

The MGM National Harbor is located approximately 9 miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA); 34 miles to Washington Dulles (IAD) and 38 miles from Baltimore/Washington International (BWI).

Transportation can be arranged through DTS Transportation.   Approximate cost from the Ronald Reagan airport is $93.00 one way and $153.00 from Washington Dulles Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Airport. Transportation must be arranged prior to your arrival by phone at (800) 914-2855 or online at www.dtstransportation.com

Valet Parking is $45.00 for each 12-24 hours.  Self-Parking is complimentary.

National Car Rental and Enterprise Rent-A-Car

We are proud to announce that National Car Rental and Enterprise Rent-A-Car along with its subsidiary Enterprise Fleet Management are MSCI member companies!

MSCI suggests that you also support Enterprise and/or National when renting a car during MSCI conferences. MSCI has negotiated discounted rates for your benefit. For faster service and reward options please enroll into Emerald Club. Emerald Club members are recognized at both National and Enterprise so please reference your Emerald Club number and Account Number XZ15W61 when reserving at both National and Enterprise. Counter-by pass is available through National Car Rental. Reservations with Enterprise and National can be made by phone or online at

http://www.enterprise.com/car_rental/deeplinkmap.do?bid=028&refId=MSCIW61

Sunday, May 3, 2020
11:00 am – 2:30 pm
Mount Vernon Estate

Guests will travel back in time to the eighteenth century – to the life and times of the father of our nation: George Washington. Travel over the Potomac River to Mount Vernon Estate, America’s most visited historic house. From there, guests will be guided by a private docent and make their way along the garden path to Washington’s home, where they will be presented with an authentic look at the life of George and Martha Washington.

Along the way, docents will describe the rich history and significant events that took place in each of the bright and colorful rooms in the mansion.

$240.00 per person
Minimum 10/Maximum 11 guests

Includes one complimentary registration*, signage, listing in the conference program and app and display of literature. Meal sponsorships also include a reserved table, and the golf sponsorship includes custom flags.

Choose from:

• Welcome Party May 3 Sold! Sponsored by Epicor Software Corporation
• Breakfast May 4 Sold! Sponsored by HEMSAW
• Breakfast May 5 Sold! Sponsored by Nucor
• Lunch May 4
• Annual Meeting App Sold! Sponsored by Crowe LLP
• Attendee Name Badges Sold! Sponsored by Fifth Third Bank
• Bottled Water Sold! Sponsored by Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.
• S’Well Beverage Bottles Sold! Sponsored by Delta Steel Technologies
• Drawstring Backpacks provided upon registration
• Bound Notebooks
• Room Drop of company literature or takeaway item May 3 or May 4*
• Room Keycards Sold! Sponsored by KASTO, Inc.

*Complimentary registrations are valued at $1,945
**Limit 2 sponsors per evening

Includes signage, listing in the conference app, and display of literature. The reception sponsorship also includes custom napkins.

Choose from:

• Charging Station for mobile phones and tablets
• Tins of Mints
• General Session WiFi

Includes custom napkins, signage, listing in the conference program and app, and display of literature in the registration foyer.

• Registration Hospitality May 3 Sold! Sponsored by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
• Refreshment Break AM May 4 Sold! Sponsored by Red Bud Industries
• Refreshment Break PM May 4 Sold! Sponsored by Modern Metals Magazine
• Refreshment Break May 5 Sold! Sponsored by IMA Schelling Group, USA
• Reception May 4 Sold! Sponsored by Braner Loopco

Thomas J. Gibson is the president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Gibson has spearheaded AISI’s advocacy efforts on issues critical to the North American steel industry since 2008 with the goal of effectively taking the steel industry’s story to decision makers at all levels of government.

Prior to joining AISI, he led the advocacy programs of the American Chemistry Council and the Portland Cement Association, establishing a strong track record of achieving legislative objectives by working with both Democrats and Republicans.  Gibson has also served as chief of staff to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrators Christine Todd Whitman and Michael Leavitt and staffed the Senate Environmental Public Works committee.

Gibson recently served as chairman of the National Manufacturers Association’s Council of Manufacturing Associations.  He received the communicator of the year award from the World Steel Association in 2013 and is also regularly quoted in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, American Metal Market, Politico and Reuters.

Gibson is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate with a Master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island and a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

For 25 years, Dean has been at the forefront of Customer Intimacy. He has written extensively about how to achieve true Customer Intimacy to transform from a vendor to a differential partner.

His firm, McMann & Ransford, created the Intimacy Index which has been used by several industries to uncover key insights and measure effectiveness. He will be sharing the results of two years of research on the value of Intimacy in the U.S. Metals Industry. McMann is an international expert and has been quoted in The New York Times, Businessweek, Fortune Magazine, The Washington Post, and The Economist.

His motto is, “All products and services commoditize, but companies don’t have to.”

Dean earned his MBA from Abilene Christian University. Prior to starting McMann & Ransford, he was an executive with Datalogix and Price Waterhouse.

Chad Moutray is chief economist for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), where he serves as the NAM’s economic forecaster and spokesperson on economic issues. He frequently comments on current economic conditions for manufacturers through professional presentations and media interviews and has appeared on various new outlets, including CNBC. In addition, he is the director of the Center for Manufacturing Research at the Manufacturing Institute, the social impact arm of the NAM, where he leads efforts to produce thought leadership, data and analysis of relevance to business leaders in the sector.

Prior to joining the NAM, Dr. Moutray was the chief economist and director of economic research for the Office of Advocacy at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) from 2002 to 2010. In that role, he was responsible for researching the importance of entrepreneurship to the U.S. economy and highlighting various issues of importance to small business owners, policymakers and academics. In addition to discussing economic and policy trends, his personal research focused on the importance of educational attainment to both self-employment and economic growth.

Prior to working at the SBA, Mr. Moutray was the dean of the School of Business Administration at Robert Morris College in Chicago, Ill. (now Robert Morris University of Illinois). Under his leadership, the business school had rapid growth, both adding new programs and new campuses. He began the development of an M.B.A. program that began accepting students after his departure and created a business institute for students to work with local businesses on classroom projects and internships.

Dr. Moutray is a former board member of the National Association for Business Economics (NABE). He is also the former president and chairman of the National Economists Club, the local NABE chapter for Washington, D.C. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from Eastern Illinois University. He is a Certified Business Economist™, where he was part of the initial graduating class in 2015.

In 2014, he received the Outstanding Graduate Alumni Award from Eastern Illinois University, and in 2015, he accepted the Alumnus Achievement Award from Lake Land College in Mattoon, Ill., where he earned his associate’s degree in business administration.

Dr. Peter Navarro received his Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University and is a professor emeritus of economics and public policy at the University of California, Irvine. He was an economic and trade advisor for President Donald J. Trump during the 2016 Presidential campaign, and joined the White House staff on Inauguration Day.

At the White House, Dr. Navarro is the Director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy (OTMP), an office established by President Trump to defend and serve American workers and domestic manufacturers. In his role as Director of OTMP, Dr. Navarro advises the President on policies to increase economic growth, decrease the trade deficit, and strengthen Americas’ manufacturing and defense industrial bases.  Dr. Navarro has helped to reform the conventional arms transfer and unmanned aerial systems policies of the United States, and to expand foreign military sales to our Nation’s partners and allies.

Prior to his appointment, Dr. Navarro appeared regularly as a financial market analyst and China expert in such media outlets as CNBC, Fox Business, the BBC, CNN, MSNBC, and the CBS News, including 60 Minutes. He is the author of numerous books on economics, financial market analysis, and macroeconomics, including Death by China, Seeds of Destruction, Always a Winner, The Coming China Wars, If It’s Raining in Brazil, Buy Starbucks, and The Well-Timed Strategy.

Barbara R. Smith holds the position of Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer at Commercial Metals Co. Ms. Smith is also on the board of Comerica, Inc. and CMC Steel Fabricators, Inc.

In her past career Ms. Smith was Chief Financial Officer & Senior Vice President for FARO Technologies, Inc., Chief Financial Officer & Vice President of Gerdau AmeriSteel Corp., Chief Financial Officer & Vice President of Alcoa Fujikura Ltd. and Vice President-Finance for Alcoa, Inc.

Barbara R. Smith received an undergraduate degree from Purdue University.

Mark has worked across a variety of industries including healthcare, high-tech, financial services, managed services/outsourcing, professional services, transportation, software, retail, distribution, and public education.  Slotnik has spent 20+ years advising clients in high value business solution design and go-to-market strategies, solution portfolio management, talent development and resource management as well as business process re-engineering and commercial software.

Prior to joining McMann & Ransford, Mark worked at Accenture and BearingPoint (formerly KPMG Consulting) as an advisor to clients to evaluate, procure and implement enterprise software and technology solutions. Throughout his career, Mark’s professional experiences reveal that he is effective in designing, presenting, selling, managing, and delivering complex solutions in support of strategic business objectives.

Trained in the areas of business, technology, and international trade, Mark received his BBA in International Finance and Marketing from The University of Miami and a Master of International Management (MIM) from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Dr. Jia Wang received her Ph.D. in Human Resource and Organizational Development from the University of Georgia in 2004. She joined the Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development at Texas A&M University as an Assistant Professor in 2007. Dr. Wang teaches graduate courses in the educational human resource development program and is a vital contributor to the curriculum design. Dr. Wang’s research focuses on international and national human resource development, organization crisis management, and learning within organizations. She has led a $450,000 industry-based research project on optimizing human capital development for companies in industrial distribution and results of this project was published as a book in 2018. Dr. Wang is currently Editor-in-Chief of Human Resource Development Review (SSCI indexed) and a member of editorial boards for three other international journals. She has written 43 peer-reviewed journal articles, 1 book, and 5 book chapters, as well as edited two refereed journal issues. She has over 100 presentations at international research conferences. Dr. Wang has chaired and/or co-chaired 27 doctoral committees, and served on 30 others. Dr. Wang received the Early Career Scholar Award from the Academy of Human Resource Development in 2011, and Outstanding Assistant Professor from the University Council for Workforce and Human Resource Education in 2011. She is also a recipient of numerous other awards for her excellence in teaching, mentoring, and service.

MSCI conferences strictly comply with all U.S. antitrust laws.  As a conference attendee and/or presenter, we ask that you review and adhere to the MSCI Antitrust Policy.

The content  (including, but not limited to, slides, charts, video-clips, etc. ) presented at MSCI conferences is proprietary and presented solely for the benefit of conference attendees. The conference content should not be disseminated or re-transmitted in any way (e.g. electronically, via audio tape, etc.) to the public or third parties.

Entertainment and/or company meetings should never be scheduled at the same time as official MSCI business or a social event.  This includes breakfast sessions, business sessions, and evening group functions.  MSCI recommends that company entertainment be planned prior to the opening or following the conclusion of Annual Meeting.  Both Monday and Tuesday nights have been left open for customer entertainment.  Please respect MSCI’s policy in extending and accepting invitations.

This event is closed to the press. Only event sponsors may distribute products or promotional materials at MSCI venues.  Please contact Monique Combs at (847) 485-3004 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor.

Registration for attendance and/or participation at MSCI Conferences and other associated activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to permit MSCI’s to use and distribute (both now and in the future) the registrant or participant’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions, audiotapes or other digital or electronic recordings of such event and activities.