SteelDays


Host an Event

Stop reading here if you have too many clients, a workforce pipeline bursting with talent, and government officials who just can’t wait to throw work your way.

…still with us? Host a SteelDays event!

SteelDays events draw a broad array of attendees who are interested in learning more about your company and about steel in general. In previous years, thousands of people, ranging from architects, engineers, and contractors to government and DOT officials to students, have come to a SteelDays event at a steel facility. It's the perfect opportunity to make new contacts, recruit your future workforce, and promote the advantages of structural steel!


Event Ideas

  • Host a local engineering or architectural firm
    The easiest type of event to plan! Set a time, add some food and beverage, and invite your local contacts in for networking and a tour. Add a presentation and some hands-on activities to give attendees more in-depth info about your business.

  • Invite local high school students to show them how rewarding a career in steel fabrication can be!
    Students are looking for a lucrative, satisfying career after they graduate--could your shop be just the thing? Show them what you’re all about. Offer live demonstrations and hands-on activities. Give both longtime employees and recent hires a chance to share the story of how they started out. And highlight the projects in your area that your team points to and says, “I built that!” We've put together all the resources you'll need to make planning as easy as possible.

  • Multiple facility tour
    Collaborate with other industry facilities in your area so that attendees can visit multiple types of facilities in one day: e.g., a service center, a fabricator, and a galvanizer.

  • Jobsite tour
    Are there any projects you're working on locally where a tour could be arranged? 

  • Local building tour
    Don't have a project underway? Is there an architecturally interesting steel building nearby where a "behind the scenes" tour could be arranged?

  • Equipment tour
    Do you own or use some interesting equipment or machinery? For example, many erection companies own and store cranes and other equipment that is of interest to visitors. Offer an equipment tour, followed by a presentation.

  • Presentations, seminars, or SteelTalks
    Sponsor and arrange a seminar or presentation about structural steel for architects, engineers, contractors, or students. Ask AISC for help. 

Whatever you decide, try to make it interactive. Let your guests be involved. The bottom line? It's up to you! Keep it simple or be creative.

Need a little help deciding what kind of event to host? Check out our list of potential event ideas for inspiration.


Checklist for Facility Tours

Setting up the tour

  • Decide who to invite--consider inviting local legislators or media
  • Send the invitation
  • Track and confirm RSVPs and follow up as necessary
  • Provide directions to your facility
  • Make sure your employees are prepared for the tour

Organizing the tour

  • Establish the look and feel of the welcome area--determine how you want the entrance of your facility to appear when your guests arrive. Think about the type of signage you want to use and whether any displays will be set up here or somewhere else.
  • Place your catering order if you will be providing breakfast or lunch to guests
  • Reserve a room for your guests with appropriate equipment if there will be a presentation
  • Plan your tour script
  • Create name badges for guests and staff
  • Determine what machinery will be in operation
  • Determine required safety equipment, including construction helmets, goggles, gloves, etc.
  • Designate a photographer
  • Display your product if you can
  • Have company brochures or literature available

Conducting the tour

  • Welcome guests on arrival 
  • Provide safety equipment to your guests, if needed
  • Share your company's story and mention any talking points you prepared
  • Hand out your SteelDays swag from AISC (that's right, as a SteelDays host, you will receive a fun box of swag items to hand out to your event attendees)

After the tour

  • Send a thank you email to guests
  • Post pictures of your event on social media. Tag AISC in your posts and use the #SteelDays hashtag
  • Let us know how your event went
  • Start planning next year's SteelDays event!

Want more information? Check out our facility tours page for everything you need to make planning a breeze!

This simple checklist for facility tours will help guide you through setting up, organizing, and conducting the tour.


Register/Modify Your Event

Ready to Register Your SteelDays Event?

Add your event to the SteelDays site for help with RSVPs, free steel swag to hand out, marketing tips, and more!

If this is your first time hosting a SteelDays event, you'll be prompted to set up a host profile. It only takes a minute. Then you can enter your event details. Give your event an attention-grabbing title and description. Once you have entered your event details, they will be shown on our SteelDays map under the "Find an Event" tab of the SteelDays website.

Register Your Event

Need to Modify Your Event? 

Click here to manage and edit your SteelDays event information at your convenience. 

Ready to sign up to host a SteelDays event? Here you can easily register a new event or make modifications to an already existing one.


Promote Your Event

How to Start Promoting Your Event

Make sure your event is visible. 

  • Is your event listing and information correct?
  • Do you have event information on your own website and social media feeds?
  • If you were attending your own event, would you be able to find what you need? 

Let people know you're hosting an event.

  • Tell every member of your organization about your SteelDays event. 
  • Invite all your contacts to your event--everyone you know!
  • Include information about your event in your company newsletter or magazine.

Told everyone you know? Extend the invitation to people you don't know (yet)!

  • Mail an invitation to local architects, engineers, and contractors.
  • Invite a local high school, community college, or university to your facility.
  • Send a press release to local television stations and newspapers about your involvement in SteelDays and about some of the local projects you have been involved in. 
  • Invite the mayor, local legislators or dignitaries, or your local chamber of commerce. 

Social Media Quick-Tips

  • Include a picture in every post.
  • Do not use punctuation in any hashtag.
  • Connect with users via the #SteelDays hashtag, and invite them to your event.

Example Posts:

  • If you're celebrating #SteelDays, register for our event [name of event] and receive a personalized demo! <event link>
  • We're excited to host a #SteelDays event! See you October 14-18! [include a picture of your shop/something related to your event] 
  • We're thrilled to be one of the SteelDays hosts! Take a pic and tag us using #SteelDays at our event!
  • You're invited to our #SteelDays event on [date]! Come network and let us know how we can help with all of your steel needs! 

Vanity URLs

Please use the following links in your SteelDays promotion: 

Here you will find a variety of tools to help promote your SteelDays event, including tips, templates, photos, and graphics.


Attendee Registration

You have the option of handling registration via our website or through your own company’s registration link. If you have questions about which option is best for you, contact Carly Hurd, AISC's vice president of fabricator initiatives, at hurd@aisc.org.

Send a reminder the day before your event with crucial logistical information, like where to park or any PPE they need to bring.

Here you'll find out how to best handle registrants and keep in touch with potential attendees.


Questions or comments? Contact us at steelday@aisc.org.