TITANIUM 2009 to Feature International Lineup From 'Who's Who' of Titanium Producing and Consuming Companies

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Dozens of key executives from the world's top titanium manufacturing firms and consuming companies will gather to present their views on the state of their industry during panel discussions at TITANIUM 2009, September 14 - 16 in Kona Hawaii, the International Titanium Association (ITA), sponsor of the event, has announced.

Frank Perryman, ITA President and President/CEO of Perryman Company explains, "As titanium is taking on a more prevalent role in aerospace and other industries, our objective for TITANIUM 2009 is to help people understand the outlook and the specific markets for the metal. These speakers, being together at one time in one place, will offer inside exposure to the business that you can only get by attending a conference like this."

Top management from the world's largest-volume titanium producers, such as VSMPO-Avisma, TIMET, RTI International Metals, Allegheny Technologies Incorporated, and UNITI, as well as from materials companies that supply titanium sponge, scrap and alloy metals, will share their knowledge regarding global supply and demand trends.

As the aircraft industry is the biggest user of titanium, the conference will also feature speakers from aerospace giants including Boeing, Airbus and GE Aviation who will examine aircraft outlooks and developments in materials and processes. Global finance companies CIT, Cowen and Company and Seabury Group will present the Wall Street view of capital and credit market conditions in relation to aircraft financing and Mr. Simon Pickup of Airbus will present that firm's 20-Year Aerospace Global Market Forecast as the TITANIUM 2009 keynote address.

Leading medical device firms Stryker Orthopaedics and Synthes USA, among others, as well as major industrial, automotive parts and military OEM's will also be represented. Technological and research experts will present papers on the latest techniques for working with the metal, such as melting, machining, powder metallurgy, new manufacturing, heat treating and testing. In all, more than 15 panels of 80 speakers will participate in formal presentations and be available for informal discussions over the three day conference.

"With the quality and depth of speakers this year, the TITANIUM 2009 lineup of participants is probably one of the best the ITA has ever assembled," Brett Paddock, ITA Secretary/Treasurer and President/COO of Titanium Industries observed.

In addition, Japanese and Chinese titanium companies and organizations will have a strong presence. The Hawaiian location was selected specifically to recognize the current growth of the industry in Asia and a number of speakers from such firms as Baoji Titanium Industry, Sumitomo Corporation and Kobe Steel, plus the Japan Titanium Society and China Titanium Association will address topics ranging from the states of their industries, to advances in consumer, medical, and industrial applications. In total, Asian participants will comprise over 20% of conference attendees.

Overall, delegates and exhibitors from 27 countries will attend TITANIUM 2009. "Based on registrations, this will be the 4th largest ITA conference ever held," according to Michael Metz, ITA Vice President and President of Tirus US. "This is a real testament to the importance of interaction throughout our supply chain and will position the conference as a remarkably efficient networking opportunity."

The remaining registration slots for TITANIUM 2009 are filling quickly, says the ITA. For more information, visit www.titanium.org.

    Contact:  Jennifer Simpson, Executive Director
    1-303-404-2221   Telephone
    1-303-404-9111   Facsimile
    conference@titanium.org  Email