经过深思熟虑，美国铸造协会董事会作出了艰难的决定，取消2020年金属铸造大会。这一结果最近几天变得不可避免，尤其是在俄亥俄州州长禁止大型公众集会之后。
鉴于与大规模集会禁令持续时间相关的不确定性，AFS不打算重新安排活动时间。由于许多铸造厂人员、供应商、铸造买家和学生都依赖金属铸造大会作为他们年度日历上最令人期待的事件，这是一个特别困难的选择。虽然这一决定对 AFS 也付出了巨大的财务代价，但它是适合注册人、参展商和 AFS 专业人员福祉的行动。
从历史角度来看，上一次取消铸造大会是在1945年，在第二次世界大战的最后几个月。
AFS 的历史可追溯到 124 年前，它一直在这里倡导我们行业的切身利益;教育现有的金属铸造商，并鼓励未来的铸造厂领导者;促进整个铸造社区的创新。我们现在面临的经济混乱比以往任何时候都更加表明：AFS需要继续领导我们的铸造行业并为我们的会员服务。
参展商和注册人退款：
AFS 准备向参展商和注册商退还 100% 的适用费用。然而，我们认识到对我们的财务储备有重大影响，我们要求参与我们行业成功的参展商和注册商考虑接受部分退款，并贡献他们选择的一些平衡回AFS，帮助我们弥合2019年和2021年贸易展之间的差距。您的捐赠将帮助AFS继续发展和维持其计划产品，并帮助铸造厂实现其技术和业务目标。我们将在近期内就退款和捐赠程序进行联系。我们认识到这是一个不寻常的要求，但如果每家公司都能在一定程度上提供帮助，我们将加强AFS和我们的行业。
赞助、表演指南和奖项
*我们将单独联系 Metalcasting 大会赞助商，讨论退款和/或即将举办的其他赞助机会。
*2020年展会指南将重新构思技术论文内容，并将广泛分发。
•金奖、服务奖和科学功绩奖将于9月20-22日在加利福尼亚州塔霍湖举行的2020铸造领导峰会上颁发。有关其他奖项以及其他与展会相关的事项的公告，将在详细信息提供时发布。
2021 年金属铸造大会庆祝 AFS 成立 125 周年
我们正在制定计划于2021年4月13-15日在密尔沃基召开激动人心的金属铸造大会，我们将在那里庆祝AFS成立125周年。请务必为 2021 年金属铸造大会标记您的日历。
我代表董事会向您、您的家人和员工致以良好的健康和安全祝福。我们感谢您在整个决策过程中的耐心、您对金属铸造行业的奉献以及您对 AFS 的承诺。
温暖的问候，
Doug Kurkul,
美国铸造协会首席执行官
Cancellation of Metalcasting Congress 2020
After purposeful consideration, the American Foundry Society Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cancel Metalcasting Congress 2020. This outcome became unavoidable in recent days, especially after the Ohio Governor prohibited large public gatherings. Given the uncertainty relative to the duration of mass-gathering bans, AFS does not plan to reschedule the event.
Since so many foundry personnel, suppliers, casting buyers, and students rely on Metalcasting Congress as the single-most anticipated event on their annual calendar, this was an especially difficult choice. Although this action also comes at a significant financial cost to AFS, it is the right course of action for the well-being of our registrants, exhibitors and AFS professional staff.
For historical perspective, the last time Metalcasting Congress was cancelled was in 1945, during the final months of World War II. It is important to remember that AFS is your association. With roots going back 124 years, AFS has been here to advocate for the vital interests of our industry; to educate current metalcasters and encourage future foundry leaders; and to foster innovation throughout the foundry community. The economic disruption we are now facing illustrates – more than ever – the need for AFS to continue to lead our industry and serve our membership.
Exhibitor and Registrant Refunds
AFS is prepared to refund 100 percent of applicable fees to exhibitors and registrants. Recognizing the major impact on our financial reserves, however, we ask that exhibitors and registrants vested in the success of our industry consider accepting a partial refund and contributing some balance of their choice back to AFS, helping us to bridge the gap between the 2019 and 2021 trade shows. Your donation will help AFS to continue to grow and sustain its program offerings and help foundries achieve their technical and business goals. We will be in touch in the near future about refund and donation procedures. We recognize this is an uncommon request, but if each company can help to some degree, we will strengthen AFS and our industry.
Sponsorships, Show Guide and Awards
?We will be contacting Metalcasting Congress sponsors individually, to discuss refunds and/or alternative sponsorship opportunities at upcoming events.
?The 2020 Show Guide will be reimagined with technical-paper content and will be distributed broadly.
?The Gold Medals, Service Citations and Awards of Scientific Merit will be presented at the 2020 Foundry Leadership Summit, September 20-22 in Lake Tahoe, California. Announcements about other awards, and other show-related matters, will be made as details become available.
Celebrating AFS’s 125th Anniversary at Metalcasting Congress 2021
We are developing plans for an exciting Metalcasting Congress in Milwaukee on April 13-15, 2021, where we will be celebrating the 125th anniversary of AFS. Please be sure to mark your calendars for Metalcasting Congress 2021.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I send our best wishes for good health and safety to you, your family and your employees. We thank you for your patience throughout this decision-making process, your dedication to the metalcasting industry, and your commitment to AFS.
Warm regards,
Doug Kurkul,
CEO, American Foundry Society