ITA Seeks Papers for TITANIUM 2010 Conference

BROOMFIELD, Colo.,Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Titanium Association (ITA) has issued a "call for papers" to be presented at the 26th Annual Titanium Conference and Exhibition, which will be held Oct. 3-6 at the Gaylord Palms Hotel and Convention Center, Kissimmee, FL.

The ITA is seeking papers that address the latest technical, marketing, business and application trends driving the international titanium industry. Those submitting papers should gear their presentations to titanium suppliers, users and members of the academic/research community.

Topics to be considered for conference presentations by the ITA will include trends for demand and supply; manufacturing and part-design innovations (powder metallurgy; casting and forging); business trends for key markets (aerospace, automotive, medical, consumer and industrial); global trade (sourcing of materials, concerns regarding transportation and logistics, establishing business relationships in new markets); and financial outlooks that will affect the titanium business in the near term.

The deadline to submit papers for TITANIUM 2010 is March 1. A presentation abstract of no more than 500 words should be sent to the ITA via e-mail at: [email protected]. The ITA will notify those papers selected by April 1. Jennifer Simpson is the executive director of the ITA (Web site www.titanium.org). In addition to papers, the ITA is accepting registration for those planning to attend the forum and there is limited booth space still available for the event.

"In these unprecedented times for the titanium industry, with worldwide economic conditions in their continuing state of turmoil, this premier event will give attendees many opportunities to exchange ideas with industry leaders and gain invaluable insight into the global state of the titanium industry," Dawne S. Hickton, TITANIUM 2010 conference chair and ITA director, said. Hickton also serves as vice chair, president and chief executive officer, RTI International Metals Inc., Pittsburgh. "You also will hear about the latest market intelligence and breakthroughs in manufacturing, product development and titanium applications. I am confident you will benefit from this conference and look forward to seeing you there."

Frank L. Perryman, ITA president, and president and chief executive officer of Perryman Co., Houston, PA, predicted 2010 and 2011 would be, "pivotal years for the titanium industry." As such, he stressed the importance of the conference as the event to help attendees weigh international trends and business opportunities. "The industry is poised for recovery and the 2010 meeting will present an excellent forum for discussion on the prospects for the future," Perryman said. "Each year a wealth of information is presented and shared through a variety of presentations, forums and exhibits. TITANIUM 2010 will be no exception."

By any measure, 2009 was a difficult year for the titanium industry. International business conditions were hampered by the global financial meltdown and recession as well as delays in critical aerospace and industrial programs. Among the many yardsticks used to gauge the tepid business environment, shipments of titanium mill products (billets, bars, plate, sheet and strip) for major U.S. producers during the first nine months of 2009 declined 25 percent compared with the equivalent period in 2008, according to quarterly company filings with the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission.

TITANIUM 2010 is designed to suit the needs of titanium industry professionals, suppliers, customers and stakeholders. Attendees typically hold executive positions in areas such as management, sales and marketing, product development, production, engineering and design, purchasing and quality control.

SOURCE International Titanium Association