The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) will celebrate its 60th Anniversary at the 2010 Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference to be held March 11 to 13 at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Ariz. The association says this may be the most important meeting for members to attend.

“We will be engaging in work and discussions that determine the future of the aluminum extrusion industry and of the Council,” says AEC chairman Thomas Schabel, CEO of Alexandria Extrusion Company in Alexandria, Minn.

The Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference program provides new insights from a variety of perspectives—including business management, economic outlook and analysis of the global aluminum market—to help extruders understand today’s competitive landscapes. Featured speakers include Gordon Hamilton of Rio Tinto Alcan Jorge Vazquez of HARBOR Intelligence, Jeff Thredgold of Thredgold Economic Associates, and Crystal Allen of Hydro Aluminum.

A town-hall format “Industry Forum” on Saturday, March 13, will provide an opportunity for AEC members to share their thoughts, ideas and suggestions with Council leaders on developing aluminum extrusion markets and expanding the industry.

The keynote address will be delivered on Friday, March 12, by Gordon Hamilton, vice president of Global Metal Management, sales and marketing for Rio Tinto Alcan. As part of this leadership role, Hamilton and his team recently completed a global five-year strategic plan for Value Added Products, including extrusion billet. He will offer a high-level insider’s view of the aluminum industry and the marketplace with his address “Global Trends in Metal Management.”

Also on Friday, March 12, the Industry Outlook will be delivered by Jorge Vazquez Founder and Vice President of the Aluminum Unit at HARBOR Intelligence. Vazquez is ranked as one of the most accurate aluminum price forecasters in the world, according to the AEC. He will share his insights on aluminum supply and demand, price forecasts, aluminum extrusion markets, and more during his presentation.

On Saturday, March 13, “economic futurist” Jeff Thredgold, author of the book econAmerica, will provide a review of the economy, financial markets, education and government, as well as supply his own sneak preview of the future. Drawing on his book, Thredgold will detail the four key factors—what he calls “silver bullets”—that will drive the American economy for years to come.

The 60th Anniversary Celebration culminates with the Chairman’s Reception and Anniversary Banquet on Saturday night. The evening includes the annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony honoring dedicated individuals who have contributed to the Council’s achievements.

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