2026 Foundry Leadership Summit Schedule

Monday, September 14, 2026
Noon
GOLF OUTING (OPTIONAL)

For attendees of the Foundry Leadership Summit, join us for golf on Monday, September 14th for a Noon shotgun start at The Canyons Golf Club (off property) in Park City, UT. Golf green fees are $195.00 per person and includes 18-holes of golf and cart. Pre-registration to golf is required as there are a limited number of spots. This is a selection option on the main Foundry Leadership Summit registration form. If you need to rent golf clubs they will be an extra $75.00 per rental for 18-holes. Please also indicate on the main Foundry Leadership Summit registration form if you will require club rental and transportation to The Canyons Golf Club.

Location of the Golf Course: The Canyons Golf Club, 4000 Canyons Resort Drive, Park City, UT 84098

Golf Attire: Proper casual golf attire is requested; soft spikes only. Denim, gym clothing or t-shirts are not allowed on the course. Collared shirts for both men and women is required.

Golf Check-In: Meet with AFS staff member Ben Yates at the Golf Pro Shop on-site.

Golf Club Rental: Indicate on the Foundry Leadership Summit registration form if you require club rental. Cost is an additional $75.00 for these to be paid at the golf course which also comes with 2 sleeves of balls.

Getting to the Golf Course: Indicate on the Foundry Leadership Summit registration form if you require transportation to the golf course.

For additional questions about the golf outing, please contact Ben Yates at byates@afsinc.org.

6 – 7:30 p.m.
OPENING RECEPTION
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
BREAKFAST
8:30 – 9:45 a.m.
AI NOW AND NEXT: GETTING READY FOR THE FUTURE OF AI

Steve Brown
AI Futurist
AI First Strategy

9:45 – 10 a.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
10 – 11 a.m.
PEOPLE FIRST, SAFETY ALWAYS: REBUILDING CULTURE FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Mickey Hannum
President
Optimized Safety Solutions, LLC

11 a.m. – Noon
THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC AND RISK OUTLOOK FOR MANUFACTURERS

Michael Weidokal
Executive Director
International Strategic Analysis

Noon – 1 p.m.
NETWORKING LUNCH
1 – 2 p.m.
THE RAPIDLY CHANGING SUPPLY CHAIN: INSIGHTS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE BUSINESS PLANNING

Lisa Anderson
Supply-Chain Expert
LMA Consulting Group

2 – 3 p.m.
PANEL DISCUSSION: FOUNDRY OUTLOOK, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Moderator: 

AFS President John Lancaster
Plant Director
General Motors 

Panelist:

Jeff Hall
President/CEO
Benton Foundry 

Scott Nachazel
Director, Facility Engineering Services
EJ
 

Sachin Shivaram
CEO
Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry

Other Panelists TBA

6 – 7 p.m.
RECEPTION
7 p.m.
BANQUET

The State of AFS address

Justin Scott
CEO
American Foundry Society 
 

Presentation of the William J. Grede Award and the Keating Founders Freedom Award

Wednesday, September 16, 2026
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
BREAKFAST
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FOR 2027: TRENDS AND EXPECTATIONS

Keith Prather
Co-Founder
Armada Corporate Intelligence

9:30 – 9:45 a.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
PREPARING YOUR BUSINESS FOR A PROSPEROUS 2027

Gene Marks 
Author, business advisor and frequent guest on CNBC
Fox Business

10:45 – 11:30 a.m.
METALCASTERS’ AGENDA IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL

Stephanie Salmon
AFS Washington Representative
American Foundry Society

11:30 – 11:40 a.m.
ANNOUNCE 2027 SUMMIT LOCATION

George Boyd Jr.
CEO and President
Goldens’ Foundry & Machine Company

11:45 a.m.
FOUNDRY LEADERSHIP SUMMIT ADJOURNS