METALCON, the only global event dedicated exclusively to the application of metal in design and construction, announces its keynote speakers for this year’s annual conference and tradeshow in Atlanta from Wednesday, Oct 30. – Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

Former National Football League Most Valuable Player and Super Bowl Champion quarterback, Joe Theismann, joins us this year as the keynote speaker on Wednesday, October 30 at 9:00 a.m. In his keynote, Theismann outlines the game plan that brought him success, both on and off the field. As an entrepreneur and the former star quarterback for the Washington Redskins, he reveals his Game Plan for Success by drawing parallels between winning in football and in business.

Theismann’s career ended abruptly after sustaining a badly broken leg during a Monday Night Football game against the New York Giants on national television. An Emmy award-winning analyst, entrepreneur, and athlete, he utilizes his gifts, talent and high energy to share his strategies with attendees for handling unforeseen change. He focuses on how to succeed under pressure and how to adapt quickly to unexpected situations. He urges individuals and organizations to set goals and correct errors each step of the way, an approach that builds momentum...which once on your side, would be hard for the best "defense" to stop.

Then, on Thursday, October 31 at 9:00 a.m., Dr. Anirban Basu, Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., a Baltimore-based economic and policy consulting firm, presents The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly: Financial Outlook and Trends for Metal Construction.

Named one of Maryland’s 50 most influential people by Maryland newspaper, The Daily Record and one of the region’s 20 most powerful business leaders by the Baltimore Business Journal, Basu will provide an in-depth analysis of major factors shaping economic outcomes, including interest rates, global geopolitical conflict, wage dynamics, business confidence, demographics, rising consumer debt levels and a presidential election—all conspiring to produce an economic downturn in 2025. He will provide a forecast for the coming year, highlighting the major risks that construction industry stakeholders will likely encounter and if 2025 should be a good year for the metal construction and design industry.

In 2014, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan appointed Basu Chair of the Maryland Economic Development Commission (2014-2021). Currently, he serves as Chairman of the Baltimore County Economic Advisory Committee. He also serves the chief economist function for the Associated Builders and Contractors, the Construction Financial Management Association, the Modular Building Institute, the Maryland Bankers Association, the International Food Distributors Association, and several others.

“We are thrilled to welcome Joe Theismann, a distinguished sports figure, and esteemed economist, Dr. Basu, as our keynote speakers this year," said METALCON Show Director, Judy Geller. "Joe's captivating life journey promises to ignite inspiration among attendees, while Dr. Basu's profound insights into the economic landscape will provide invaluable foresight for the future of the metal construction and design industry."

For more information or to register, visit www.metalcon.com.