Join Us!
Join us this September in Washington, DC, as the steel wire industry comes together to address a critical moment for manufacturing, trade, and economic policy. With significant changes underway in Congress, the Administration, and the global market, it’s more important than ever to ensure our industry’s voice is heard. We’ll dive into the key issues impacting your business—from trade and tariffs to economic forecasts and supply chain challenges—and we’ll take that message directly to Capitol Hill.
As part of the conference, attendees will participate in congressional visits, meeting directly with lawmakers to advocate for the steel wire industry and domestic manufacturing. The AWPA will provide the tools and support, but you are the most powerful advocate for your company and employees. Join your industry colleagues in Washington this September—and make sure your voice is heard.
General Session
The 119th Congress and Key Considerations for Manufacturers
Speaker: Representative Pat Harrigan (R-NC)
Representative Pat Harrigan of North Carolina will join us to provide an overview of the 119th Congress and Republican leadership’s agenda heading into a busy fall. While much will change between now and then, we anticipate updates on a range of topics, including tax policy, regulatory reform, and FY26 government funding – not to mention Congress’s engagement with the Administration on the President’s trade policy agenda. Given his background as the owner of a thriving manufacturing business, we’ll hear the Congressman’s perspective not only on these important policies, but on their implications for the U.S. manufacturing sector. We’ll also get a chance to hear about his perspective on Washington as a Freshman Member!
The President’s America First Trade Agenda: Insights and Updates
Speaker: Administration Guest
Since returning to office in January, President Trump has worked aggressively to implement his “America First Trade Policy” agenda, driven in large part by his desire to revitalize U.S. manufacturing. From expanding his signature Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs—including to a host of downstream products—to launching a flurry of new Section 232 investigations in other sectors, and seeking more balanced trade through his reciprocal trade tariffs and negotiations, the global trade landscape has changed immensely over the past few months. We’ll hear firsthand about the Trump Administration’s approach to these tariff programs, the status of related talks with key trading partners, and how these developments affect the wire and wire products sector and the steel industry more broadly. We’ll also discuss the upcoming six-year review of the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USMCA) and hear about the Administration’s priorities for those negotiations, particularly as they relate to the steel sector and growing concerns about the potential for trade circumvention.
What the Leading Indicators are Saying About 2026
Connor Lokar, Senior Forecaster, ITR Economics
The economy is returning to normal, as defined by trends and behaviors that no longer overtly reflect echoes of COVID, the resulting massive stimulation, and subsequent monetary policy tightening. This means that our system of leading indicators is providing us with more clarity than we have experienced since 2020. That helps a great deal when mapping out 2026. Overlaid on top of that return to normalcy are the significant economic policy changes made by the new presidential administration and Congress. All of the above will be analyzed so you may see the future first.
Improved clarity in the leading indicators suggests improved timing analysis of different markets: leading (e.g. residential housing), coincident (e.g. GDP, Total Industrial Production, Wholesale Trade, and Retail Sales), and lagging markets (e.g. nonresidential construction, wages, interest rates). The presentation will cover markets specific to the audience along with inflation, interest rates, risks, upside potential, and ITR Economics’ extended outlook for the 2030s where appropriate.
Rod Supply Panel – Market Conditions
Panel of importers to talk about rod supply. What are you doing about tariffs? What are you hearing about the market conditions? This will help the APA members make strategic business decisions.
Congressional Visits
Take advantage of this opportunity and head to Capitol Hill this fall with AWPA. On Thursday, September 18, you'll be paired up with others who have facilities in your districts whenever possible, and will have materials and talking points to assist you at the visits. We make it easy for you to advocate for our industry. Learn more.
SCHEDULE (all times in Eastern): (Printable Schedule of Events).
*Current as of 5/5/2025
| Wednesday, September 3, 2025 | |
| 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm | Congressional Visits Issues & Logistics Briefing Webinar (for Congressional Visits Participants, all interested AWPA members are welcome) |
| Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | |
| 11:30 pm – 2:00 pm | Board of Directors Meeting & Lunch (committee members only) |
| 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Registration Open |
| 2:15 pm – 3:30 pm | Stainless Committee Meeting |
| 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm | Membership Committee Meeting |
| 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm | Opening Reception |
| Thursday, September 18, 2025 | |
| 8:30 am – 11:30 am | General Session |
| 11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Lunch (final hill meeting logistics) |
| 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Congressional Visits on Capitol Hill |
| 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm | Reception Sponsored by Kelley Drye |
| Friday, September 19, 2025 | |
| 8:30 am – 10:30 am | Congressional Visits Debriefing Breakfast Rod Supply Panel |
ATTENDEES:
There are no publicly visible attendees as of 05/23/2025.