To the surprise of no one and the disappointment of all Furnaces North America, FNA 2020 will go to a virtual format this year. FNA, the largest heat treatment show in North America in 2020 was to have been held in Louisville, Kentucky, USA September 30^th to October 2^nd but the actual live portion of the show has been cancelled. We are not entirely sure what a “virtual” show will look like but we have some details in the official press release which is further down. This means that every single major heat treat event around the world since February of this year has been forced to abandon the live portion of each event-a truly disappointing result. By the way for the past number of years there has generally been one major North American heat treatment event each year, alternating between FNA one year and the ASM Heat Treating Conference and Exposition and Gear Expo the next. The next ASM event is scheduled to be held September of 2021 so at this point in time it would appear that ASM will be the next large heat treating “get together” in North America-too bad we have to wait over a year for the heat treatment industry to get together again. We leave you with a couple of photos from the last FNA event which was held in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA back in 2018.

 McLaughlin Furnace Group

Cleveland Electric Laboratories

 Bernie Parry, Heat Treat Central. Unfortunately our good friend Bernie passed away earlier this year.

  John Hubbard, Thermal Process Holdings, Ed Stenger, Kentucky Heat Treat, Dan McCurdy, Bodycote (retired)

“After much analysis, feedback from attendees, and the uncertainty of COVID-19, the MTI Board of Trustees have approved for the Furnaces North America Trade Show and Conference to transition to a virtual format as of today. MTI 2020 President, Jim Oakes from Super Systems stated, “With so much of our business moving to a digital arena, FNA 2020 will be a great opportunity for the heat treating industry to take a step into this digital space. Although we will miss the in person interaction, the FNA team is working hard with digital technology to create the same personalized interaction digitally. The great thing about digital, is FNA can bring the latest knowledge and trends to every heat treater’s computer screen at a very affordable value.”

FNA Show Producer Tom Morrison states, “The FNA Show Production team has been working diligently the last two months on our virtual strategy for both exhibitors and attendees. It is going to be an energetic and dynamic experience that encompass all the same features of a live event including technical sessions, networking, and exhibitors. Participants are going to love it because now every captive and commercial heat treater can engage his entire company or division to participate and learn right from their computer.”

Attendees will be able to experience the virtual exhibit hall for free. For those wanting to view the 3 LIVE panel discussions and 35 technical sessions, FNA is offering a special for attendees of $199 for each of the first two registrants from a company and $49 for every person after that. To qualify, everyone must register on the same online registration form. 

Furnaces North America is the largest heat treat only trade show and conference in North America every other year.  FNA is produced by the Metal Treating Institute in conjunction with their media partner Industrial Heating Magazine.

 Full details will be on the FNA 2020 Virtual Show Site at www.FurnacesNorthAmeric.com starting July 13.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact FNA 2020 at [email protected].”