Conference Events

10/3: Swamp Fox Scramble Golf Tournament

The 6th Annual Swamp Fox Scramble, sponsored by Finishing Market, will be held on Sunday, October 3rd at Patriot's Point Links golf course on Charleston Harbor. Overlooking Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter and Shem Creek, Patriots Point Links is known for its excellent putting surfaces and challenging waterfront finishing holes. Companies interested in sponsoring may purchase a Golf Hole Sponsorship, where your company logo will be prominently displayed on a stake at one of the golf holes during the tournament. It will also be displayed on Tournament signs, and you will be listed as a sponsor in the Show Directory book.

10/3: PF Online Fishing Tournament

Join us this year on Sunday, October 3rd for our First Annual Southern Metal Finishing Fishing Tournament sponsored by PF Online. This offshore fishing charter will take you over 20 miles off shore and include fishing for species such as Wahoo, Dolphin (Mahi Mahi), Tuna, King Mackerel, Barracuda, and Amberjack.... just for starters. You will be on the water for a full day of some of the best fishing in South Carolina, departing from Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant, SC - just across the bridge and only 10 miles from our host hotel.

 
We'll be sending you out with some of the best offshore finishing guides in the Low Country for an engaging event that you'll not soon forget. We'll provide the tackle, boat, guides, and refreshments - but you should bring your own Dramamine. On Tuesday afternoon at the Awards and Appreciation Luncheon we will present awards for the largest and smallest catch per individual fisherman.

10/3: Opening Reception

This event is open to all registered attendees. It will take place Sunday evening at the Francis Marion Hotel, in and around the Exhibit Hall, where conference goers can take a sneak peak at some of our fine exhibitors while mingling with industry professionals in a casual setting. In addition to an open bar, will enjoy the unique live entertainment provided by the co-hosts of the popular online metal finishing show, Finishing Talk Live. A live recording of the most recent episode will take place during the reception, and attendees are invited to participate as audience members.

10/4: Trade Show

The Southern Metal Finishing Conference Trade Show will take place at the Francis Marion hotel on Monday, September 14th. Exhibitors will have the chance to set up at 4pm on Sunday afternoon to get extra exposure during the Opening Night Reception, which takes place in the exhibit hall on Sunday night. Between 35 and 40 companies exhibit at our trade show each year, making it intimate enough for conference attendees to spend time at each booth, but big enough to keep things interesting. Visit our Sponsorship page for exhibiting information.

10/4: Keynote Speaker - Tonya Vyhlidal of Lincoln Industries

Tonya Vyhlidal of Lincoln Industries will speak on "How Lincoln Industry achieved a 500% return on investment through their Health and Wellness program".

Tonya's presentation will show how a plating company took well-being and made it a key company focus. While most companies focus only on the core business components in their strategy development, Lincoln Industries a company of true entrepreneurship took wellness and made it a company belief statement, core concept, and business strategy. Tonya will show how the organization's wellness program has transformed its people and its bottom line.

As Wellness, Safety, and Life Enhancement Director for Lincoln Industries, Tonya Vyhlidal is responsible for the occupational health, safety, benefits, and health promotion programs for a workforce of over 400 people. The programs have yielded a 500% return on investment, and the company routinely saves well in excess of $1 million per year. Lincoln Industries has reduced overall lifestyle associated medical claims, workers compensation claims and modification rates, and has health insurance costs per person at as much as 50% below the U.S. average.

10/4: 5th Annual Scavenger Hunt & Pub Crawl

The Scavenger Hunt and Pub crawl has quickly become one of the most popular social events we put on during the conference - and it keeps growing every year! Participants split up into small teams, and are given a list of questions, tasks, objects, etc...to answer, complete, or find throughout downtown Charleston. In the mean time, participants will be hopping bars in search of clues and getting to know this historic city (and fellow industry members) a little better. The event culminates at Tommy Condon's Irish Pub & Seafood Restaurant for drinks, a late dinner or snack, and a chance for teams to finish their checklists. Prizes will be awarded to winning teams at the Award's Ceremony Luncheon on Tuesday, October 5th.  Register here to take part in the fun.

10/5: Awards Ceremony & Luncheon

The Awards Ceremony Luncheon will take place on Tuesday, October 5th at the Francis Marion Hotel. During this luncheon, we will present certificates of completion to our students, and awards to the winners of the Finishing Market Swamp Fox Scramble golf tournament, the Pub Crawl Scavenger Hunt, the PF Online Fishing Tournament, and best Exhibits. Lunch will be served to all and additional gifts and door prizes will also be awarded to all attendees by raffel, so don't miss this one.