The industry supply chain will convene in Atlanta on April 27-30 for CastExpo, the biggest metalcasting event in North America. Held once every three years and concurrently with Metalcasting Congress, CastExpo provides the chance to see full-scale exhibits, cutting-edge technology demonstrations, innovative sessions, informative speakers, and an energetic show floor. Over 6,000 people are expected to attend.

Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8:50 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, this year’s show floor will be packed with 400-plus exhibitors. A ticketed reception with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be held at 5 p.m. that evening in the convention lobby.  The show floor closes at noon on Tuesday, April 30.

Two main registration options are available: Exhibits, and Education & Exhibits. The Exhibits registration brings admission to the exhibition floor, The HUB, and keynote presentations. Holders of the Education & Exhibits pass have access to the exhibition floor, The HUB, and keynote presentations, plus all education (panels, paper presentations, roundtable discussions and Institute courses). Discounts will be given to AFS members at registration, and to those who join AFS while registering for CastExpo. To register, go to www.castexpo.com.

The AFS Institute is offering two courses at CastExpo: Metalcasting Process Basics, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 27; and Training Best Practices Workshop, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 28. The former course will be taught by Bo Wallace of the AFS Institute, and the latter by AFS vice president of education and workforce development Clarence Trowbridge.

This year, the Casting Designers & Buyers Track is returning to CastExpo. Presented by Metal Casting Design & Purchasing magazine, the track will run from April 27-29. The Casting Designers & Buyers Track will consist of sessions that will provide finely targeted knowledge and insight to those who design, specify or purchase castings. Sessions will be held in the theater section of The HUB, on the show floor. Buyers and designers also can visit the Cast in North America exhibitor section of CastExpo, which features exhibits by many of North America’s leading metalcasters. Designers and buyers will be encouraged to “Bring Your Own Blueprint” to discuss with foundry representatives at the Cast in North America exhibits.

The three keynote speakers at CastExpo anchor the first three days of the show, starting with Kaihan Krippendorff, who will serve as the opening keynote speaker at CastExpo on April 27. Krippendorff, the founder of the Outthinker Roundtables with a reputation as a thought-leader and battle-tested consultant, will speak to CastExpo attendees on April 27 at 10:30 a.m. about thriving in today’s era of fast-paced technological change. At 10:30 a.m. on April 28, Dr. Doru Stefanescu will deliver the Hoyt Memorial Lecture on the history of cast iron and its survival as a crucial material for generations. Then at 10:30 a.m. on April 29, Frank Abagnale will provide entertaining insight into his life as the notorious imposter of the 1960s–a thrilling story told in the award-winning movie and Broadway musical, Catch Me If You Can.

At the Annual Banquet on April 28, the Gold Medal will be awarded. The highest honor from AFS, the recipient this year is Von Richards, Professor emeritus of Material Science at Missouri University of Science and Technology. Tickets are required to attend the Annual Banquet.

Other networking events include the Management Luncheon, which will include time allotted for speed-networking, Copper Division Luncheon, Women in Metalcasting Breakfast, Division Recognition Luncheon, Alumni Dinner, Future Leaders of Metalcasting meeting, and the Presidents Luncheon & Annual Business Meeting. For more information or to get tickets for these events, visit www.castexpo.com.

CastExpo is being held in the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), the country’s fourth-largest convention center. The GWCC is conveniently located in downtown Atlanta and is 15 minutes from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).    

Click here to see this story as it appears in the March 2019 issue of Modern Casting