Sharing Technology, Ideas, and Experiences
Key Highlights
- The Congress will feature technical sessions across multiple divisions, including Smart Manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing, and Environmental Safety, encouraging knowledge exchange and innovation.
- Keynote speeches, panel discussions for young professionals, and social receptions will foster networking and community building.
- Instructional programs like 'Metalcasting Process Basics' and 'Industry 4.0' will provide practical insights for both newcomers and professionals seeking to enhance their skills.
- Attendees can enjoy regional attractions too - e.g., the Gerald R. Ford Museum, Frederik Meijer Gardens, and the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
Metalcasting is a manufacturing business, a research co-op, and a design collective. It’s a fraternal association that encompasses production experts and trainees, engineers, technicians, and managers. It’s a multifaceted community of people with ideas and experiences, and goals – and all of these will be coming together again, April 14-16, 2026. Grand Rapids, MI, will be the place to be for the 2026 American Foundry Society Metalcasting Congress.
The crowded schedule planned for those three days will give the experts, trainees, engineers, designers, developer, operators, and managers innumerable options for engaging new developments, learning new concepts and techniques, and networking with colleagues, friends, and potential collaborators.
As you make plans to attend the 2026 Metalcasting Congress, consider what you aim to accomplish and what options the calendar offers to you.
The center of activity will be the exhibition of technology and services. On-site registration at the Devos Place Convention Center will open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday April 14, through 5 p.m. The exhibit hall will be open at 9 a.m. on Wednesday April 15, through 6 p.m., and 9 a.m. through 12 p.m. on Thursday April 16.
If you’re here to engage
The Metalcasting Congress is a technology sharing event, organized so that each of the AFS’s various technology divisions can present the latest research work by its membership. The presentation sessions are open to attendees who wish to engage with the authors and researchers selected to present the results of their effort.
On Tuesday morning, starting at 8 a.m., the sessions schedule includes the works selected by these AFS divisions: Engineering & Smart Manufacturing; Melting Methods & Materials; Additive Manufacturing; Molding Methods & Materials; Aluminum & Light Metals; Melting Methods & Materials; and Lost Foam. Tuesday afternoon sessions begin at 1:30 p.m. and include Aluminum & Light Metals; Cast Iron; Additive Manufacturing; Molding Methods & Materials; Aluminum & Light Metals; Cast Iron; and Steel.
On Wednesday, the scheduled sessions starting at 8 a.m. include
Molding Methods & Materials; Aluminum & Light Metals; Cast Iron; Steel; Environmental, Health & Safety; Casting Designers & Buyers; Engineering & Smart Manufacturing; Aluminum & Light Metals; Cast Iron; Melting Methods & Materials; Women in Metalcasting; and Casting Designers & Buyers.
Wednesday afternoon sessions will begin at 1:30 p.m. and include Engineering & Smart Manufacturing; Government Affairs; Environmental, Health & Safety; Metalcasting Research; Talent Development; Casting Designers & Buyers; Molding Methods & Materials; Copper; Melting Methods & Materials; Additive Manufacturing; and Casting Designers & Buyers
Thursday morning’s sessions will begin at 8 a.m., and include Engineering & Smart Manufacturing; Copper; Cast Iron; Additive Manufacturing; Talent Development; Engineering & Smart Manufacturing; Copper; Metalcasting Research; Additive Manufacturing; Marketing; and Casting Designers & Buyers.
If you’re here to learn
In parallel to the technical sessions, AFS has scheduled several instructional programs to be presented over the course of the three days. On Tuesday April 14, from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m., a course titled “Metalcasting Process Basics” will provide attendees with an overview of metalcasting production, tracing a cast part from the quoting process through to shipment to the buyer.
On Wednesday, the daylong presentation will be “An Introduction to Supervisor Development,” and offer practical insights and advice to individuals who have recently graduated from hourly or salaried positions to supervisory responsibilities.
Near midday on Tuesday, 11:45 a.m., AFS has scheduled a keynote speech by former Major League Baseball pitcher and Olympic gold medalist Jim Abbott. His presentation, “Nothing Can Stop You,” will provide perspectives on resilience, determination, and overcoming adversity.
Also on Wednesday, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., “An Introduction to Industry 4.0” will present a foundational overview of I4.0 technologies, defining ideas and principles and explaining how digital transformation can promote smarter manufacturing.
And, again on Wednesday, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., an AFS panel presentation for young professionals will bring together individuals with insights from the broad metalcasting workforce (educators, HR leaders, technical experts, recent graduates, and FEF) to discuss how foundries can connect candidates with industry demand.
Wednesday, at 10:30 a.m., is the time for one of the industry's signature presentations, the Hoyt Memorial Lecture. Randy Oehrlein, vice president of Engineering for Carley Foundry, will speak on “Foundry Manufacturing - Where Metallurgy Meets Mastery: Exploring the Dual Nature of Casting as Both Art and Science and its Unique Place in Manufacturing Technologies.”
If you’re here to network
Many metalcasters will have several social engagements high in their plans for their three days in Grand Rapids. The AFS organizes the program to include important social events, the first of which will be the Volunteer Leadership Awards Luncheon, on Tuesday April 14, at 11:45 a.m.
The Annual AFS Reception and Banquet will take place on Tuesday evening from 6 to 10 p.m.
On Wednesday, at 11:45 a.m., the AFS Past President’s Luncheon will take place. Also, at 1:30 p.m., AFS has scheduled the Women in Metalcasting Luncheon.
Wednesday evening, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., AFS plans a reception on the Metalcasting Congress exhibit floor. Following that, from 5 to 6 p.m. will be the AFS Young Professionals Reception.
Then, on Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. will be the AFS Alumni Dinner.
While you’re here
AFS Metalcasting Congress attendees who may wish to absorb some local atmosphere while visiting Grand Rapids may enjoy some of these regional destinations.
- The Gerald R. Ford Museum honors the 38th U.S. president and First Lady Betty Ford. It includes exhibits on Ford's life, and critical events of the 1970s events. The site includes a replica of the Oval Office during the Ford Administration, and the burial place of President and Mrs. Ford. It is distinct from the research-focused library in Ann Arbor.
- Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a 58-acre botanical garden and outdoor sculpture park featuring a world-class collection of modern and contemporary sculptures, indoor tropical conservatories, and themed gardens.
- The John Ball Zoo is an accredited non-profit featuring over 2,000 animals among more than 220 species. It is the 10th oldest zoo in the U.S. and focuses on wildlife conservation, featuring unique habitats like the aquarium, pygmy hippo pavilion, and interactive, seasonal exhibits.
- The Grand Rapids Public Museum, an historic institution on the Grand River features three floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits focusing on science, history, and culture, along with a planetarium and a fully functional 1928 carousel.
- The Grand Rapids Art Museum features over 5,000 works, primarily 19th-20th century American and European painting, sculpture, and modern design.