November 2023 Volume 5

INDUSTRY NEWS

FIA Fall Meeting of Members Recap

The Forging Industry Association held its Annual Fall Meeting of Members at the Sheraton Music City in Nashville, Tennessee on September 25-27, 2023. Over the course of three days, 60 professionals from the forging industry gathered for a blend of networking, educational sessions, and business presentations. Updating the Strategic Plan Prior to the official commencement of the event, a strategic planning session was hosted for the FIA Board of Directors and the Forging Foundation (FIERF) Board of Trustees. This session, led by Trace Hawthorne from Tecker International LLC, served as a platform for a comprehensive reevaluation of the organization's existing strategic plan. The outcome of this session involved the identification of fresh focus areas and objectives that will shape the future of both the association and the forging industry as a whole. Key points of discussion included government relations, membership recruitment, workforce development, industry benchmarking and advancing the brand of the forging industry. The association's staff leadership, along with the executive committee, will soon convene to finalize the specifics and deadlines for the revised plan, which will subsequently be shared with the membership.

Engaging the Next Generation One of the highlights of this year's program was the Next Gen and CEO Mixer, where FIA Next Gen attendees, who are under the age of 35, had the unique opportunity to engage in facilitated networking with some of the industry's top executives. Forrest Large, an FIA consultant and MDI facilitator, orchestrated engaging icebreaker activities and encouraged constructive communication between these two groups, aiming to foster mutual learning and the evolution of the industry. The group was also invited to participate in a “Party Wagon” which took them on a tractor ride through the heart of downtown Nashville. Networking (and some Music!) The Fall Meeting attendees were invited to gather for a Welcome Reception on the rooftop of Ole Red in downtown Nashville. They enjoyed delicious barbeque and were able to connect with their peers in a beautiful setting overlooking the city. A fun feature of the evening’s events was the Karaoke DJ. Many of the attendees took part, including a few select FIA staff members. A second reception and dinner was held at the Sheraton Music City and featured a raffle to benefit the ForgingPAC. The raffle items included a Kate Spade purse, Tiffany bracelet and diamond necklace. The raffle raised $11,000.

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