State of Steel 2010

Registration & Exhibits Open

Opening Remarks

KEYNOTE INTERVIEW: State of the Industry

Coffee Break

HIGHLIGHT PRESENTATION – Steel's Role in a Green Energy Economy

Global Steel Outlook

The global economy is showing signs of recovery. What Is ahead in the coming months for the steel industry and which markets are poised to make the first significant rebound and increase domestic steel demand?

Topics to be addressed include:

• Can the US regain competiveness in the steel market?

• Recovery or relapse; the health of the global economy.

• World steel production trends and analysis.

• China’s economic policies and the impact to U.S. mill producers.

• Imports versus protectionism; maintaining a healthy balance.

• Understanding the Buy American provision.

• Creditworthiness in the supply chain.

Networking Reception

Registration, Exhibits & Continental Breakfast Open

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

HIGHLIGHT PRESENTATION: A Trader’s Perspective of Market Dynamics

Exporting Steel – Will the Weak US Dollar Strengthen the Steel Industry?

A strong US-based steel industry, the weak dollar and increasing global steel demand is opening new off-shore opportunities.

Topics to be addressed include:

• How can the US steel market capitalize on its soft currency and the shifting global demand?

• An examination of the products, companies and markets for future sustainable demand

• What fundamentals are required to shift from opportunistic supply to long-term supply?

• What are the risks to exporting and methods to minimize them?

• What role do traders play in the international game?

• A look at the state of the US ports and their ability to handle the shifting steel demand?

• What pending legislation and funding will open the ports to keep steel and raw materials moving?

Coffee Break

END MARKET - AUTO

Whatever the shape of the new American automotive industry, it will not be dominated by and centered in Detroit. What opportunities and challenges does this ongoing change in the geography, approach and global participation in U.S. auto production present to metal makers? Our panelists review the market conditions driving or denying the recovery of the automotive markets.

Topics to be discussed include:

• How are the new domestics realigning the supply chain and manufacturing base?

• What is the new normal in terms of auto output?

• Liquidity issues of the supply base.

• Consumer incentive programs, is it enough to improve demand?

• The role of government in the auto industry as it moves from major shareholder to policy maker.

• What investments and technologies are needed to meet CAFÉ/CO2 standards?

LUNCH PRESENTATION: Lessons Learned from the European Implementation of Emissions Trading

HIGHLIGHT PRESENTATION– New Opportunities in the Energy Market

END MARKET - ENERGY: Traditional, Alternative and 'Smart"

New drilling methods and domestic natural gas resources in the form of the Marcellus and other shale plays are a relatively bright spot in the moribund oil country tubular goods sector, which is struggling under the weight of a year’s worth of excess inventories. What is the outlook for drilling activity, a recovery in natural gas prices and the impact on pipe and tube producers of the Shale plays?

Meanwhile, the Obama administration has made renewable energy projects a high priority for the recovering economy. Our panelists look at the steel demand created for wind projects, the “smart” grid system.

Topics to be discussed include:

• The Marcellus Shale drilling opportunities and the demand for OCTG products.

• Has the OCTG market reached its bottom and when can a significant recovery be expected?

• What is the tonnage and dollars-and-cents potential of wind power as an end market for steel?

• Will the ARRA funds pumped into wind tower projects help achieve the goal of 20% electricity from wind by 2030?

• Has the outlook for nuclear energy gone positive and what potential does that hold for steel?

• What are the chances the U.S. will actually build a “smart” grid and what market potential does that hold for producers of electrical and carbon steel?

Coffee Break

END MARKET - CONSTRUCTION & INFRASTRUCTURE

There have been small improvements in residential housing starts, yet the overall market remains weak and steel outlook gloomy. The federal stimulus package has failed to deliver improved demand for steel plate with the small exception of bridge fabrication. What can we except in this end-market in 2010?

Topics to be discussed include:

• Outlook for plate and long products

• The real truth of the stimulus package on steel demand

• The credit crunch and shelved projects

• Construction starts

Closing Remarks