AEC Joins with CRU for Combined, Comprehensive Aluminum Industry Conference

Programs will feature an in-depth examination of the aluminum and aluminum extrusion industries
AEC Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference features keynote from Ambassador James K. Glassman, Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute

(Wauconda, Illinois; December 12, 2013) -- The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) is pleased to announce that the 2014 Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference will be collocated with CRU Group's Aluminum Industry Trends Conference in March at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, USA. The collocated programs, featuring comprehensive education and networking opportunities for aluminum industry professionals, is scheduled for Monday, March 17 through Thursday, March 20, 2014. The Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference offers aluminum extrusion industry leaders a business-focused program that provides insights on the economy, the aluminum extrusion industry and application markets while preparing participants to capitalize on emerging opportunities. The CRU North American Aluminum Trends Conference includes information on aluminum price, premiums and metal flows and provides in-depth coverage of the can, construction, automotive, truck & trailer, currency, oil, investor and Chinese markets. The CRU program begins on Monday while the AEC Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference begins with the joint AEC/CRU reception on Tuesday evening.

Featured speakers for the AEC Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference, include Tobias Seniel, Heat Transfer Manager, United Technologies Corp., Climate Control & Security Division who will address the opportunities for extruders in heat transfer technologies and Ambassador James K. Glassman, Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute who will provide an Economic Outlook for 2014. The AEC portion of the educational program kicks off with the joint CRU/AEC General Session on Wednesday.

Confirmed speakers include:

Demand Drivers:
Truck and Trailer Market Outlook
Jonathan Starks, Director of FTR Associates

Construction Spending, Labor and Materials Outlook
Kenneth D. Simonson, Chief Eceonomist, The Associated General Contractors of America

Billet and Extrusions:
Analyzing the Outlook for Aluminum Extrusions
Guy Charpentier, Marketing Manager, Bonnell Aluminum

The Rise of State-Owned Entities and their Effects on Metal Trade: A Case Study, the U.S. Countervailing Duty Case Against Aluminum Extrusions from China
Robert DeFrancesco, Attorney at Law, Wiley Rein LLP

CRU's Price and Midwest Premium Outlook
Mike Southwood, Senior Consultant, Aluminum, CRU Group

The Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference concludes on Thursday with the General Session, which includes the following sessions:

Opportunities for Aluminum in HVACR Heat Exchangers
Tobias Seniel, Heat Transfer Manager, United Technologies Corp., Climate Control & Security Division

North American Extrusion Industry Overview
Lynn Brown, Long Point Associates & AEC Consultant

The Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference will feature a keynote address by Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute, Ambassador James K. Glassman.

Keynote: What's Ahead for the Economy?
James Glassman, who has extensive experience in business, media, and government, will provide a sober, realistic assessment of the current economic situation, though his outlook will remain generally upbeat.  Glassman will provide his expertise in an engaging question-and-answer session that will address:

• How government action like the stimulus package, tax cuts or increases and measures to shore up financial institutions can help turn the economy around
• What are the best business and investment strategies to weather the storm.

Glassman is the founding executive director of the George W. Bush Institute, dedicated to research and action in four areas: education, global health, human freedom and economic growth. The Institute is part of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, which will also include a library and museum, on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

The collocated CRU/AEC conferences offer a number of networking opportunities throughout the event providing an ideal atmosphere in which aluminum extrusion industry executives can discuss common challenges, mutual goals, and industry issues with colleagues and peers. The Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference culminates with the Chairman's Reception and Banquet on Thursday night. The evening includes the annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony honoring dedicated individuals who have contributed to the Council’s achievements.

Registration options include the combined CRU/AEC program, the CRU Aluminum Trends Conference only or the AEC Annual Meeting only. Early registration discounts are available until February 3, 2014. For more information on the AEC Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference, visit www.AECmeets.org or contact the Council at mail@aec.org. For complete program details on the CRU North American Aluminum Trends Conference, visit www.naaluminumtrends.com.

About AEC
The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) is a progressive trade association dedicated to advancing the effective use of aluminum extrusion in North America. AEC is committed to bringing comprehensive information about extrusion's characteristics, applications, environmental benefits, design and technology to users, product designers, engineers and the academic community. Further, AEC is focused on enhancing the ability of its members to meet the emerging demands of the market through sharing knowledge and best practices. For more information visit www.AEC.org.

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For more information please contact:

Nancy Molenda, Communications Manager
nmolenda@tso.net

847/526-2010 x227