A promotional flyer for a presentation by Jiten Shah on digital transformation and smart foundries features a portrait and event details in the foreground against a dark blue technological background with a digital hand and globe.

AFS Chicago Chapter

AFS Member

Speaker

Non-Member

LXCL:with Valid Student ID

Student

LXCL:This sponsorship opportunity includes your company logo featured on both the event’s drink tickets and table tents, giving your brand prominent visibility throughout the evening.

Drink Sponsor

<p fr-original-style="margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(15, 14, 91);line-height:1.5;" style="margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(15, 14, 91);line-height:1.5;"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1792074777/wysiwyg/s5yscw4fctzpygetlyvw.jpg" style="width: 553px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; max-width: 100%; position: relative; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 553px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"><p fr-original-style="margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(15, 14, 91);line-height:1.5;" style="margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(15, 14, 91);line-height:1.5;"> Join AFS Chicago on Wednesday, November 18, for dinner and a valuable presentation.&nbsp;Digital Transformation and Smart Foundries of the Future, with Jiten Shah, the Founder-President of PDA LLC, at&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://webergrillrestaurant.com/schaumburg/" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Weber Grill in Schaumburg, IL</a>.<p fr-original-style="margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(15, 14, 91);line-height:1.5;" style="margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(15, 14, 91);line-height:1.5;"> Digital Transformation &amp; Smart Foundries of the FutureThe North American metal casting industry is facing increasing pressure to improve productivity, maintain quality, control costs, and remain competitive in an evolving manufacturing landscape. Digital transformation offers opportunities to address these business challenges, yet many foundries are still determining where to start and how to turn new technologies into meaningful results.&nbsp;This session explores what digital transformation means for foundries, how to assess readiness, and how to develop a practical strategy for implementation. Attendees will learn why embracing digital technologies is becoming increasingly important and how these tools can help foundries improve efficiency, strengthen decision-making, and build a foundation for long-term growth.&nbsp;Through real-world case studies and industry examples, the session will explore what smart foundries of the future will showcase and how these businesses can begin taking practical steps toward that vision. Participants will leave with an enhanced understanding of the opportunities that lie ahead and actionable insights to help guide their own digital transformation journey.&nbsp;<p fr-original-style="width:100%;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;box-sizing:inherit;line-height:1.5;" id="isPasted" style="width:100%;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;box-sizing:inherit;line-height:1.5;">Attendees Will Learn:&bull; What digital transformation means for today&#39;s foundries&bull; How to assess organizational readiness and identify opportunities for improvement&bull; Key considerations for developing and implementing a digital transformation strategy&bull; The benefits of digital technologies for productivity, quality, efficiency, and competitiveness&bull; What smart foundries of the future will project through real-world examples and case studies Agenda:5:00 PM Check-in &amp; Networking 5:45 PM&nbsp;Dinner followed by Presentation 8:00 PM Adjourn<p fr-original-style="margin:0in;font-size:15px;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;line-height:1.5;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit;" style="margin:0in;font-size:15px;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;line-height:1.5;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit;"> Registration:&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;line-height:1.5;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit;" style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;line-height:1.5;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit;">$5<span fr-original-style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Roboto; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;" id="isPasted" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Roboto; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">5 AFS Members</li><li fr-original-style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;line-height:1.5;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit;" style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;line-height:1.5;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit;">$65 Non-Members</li><li fr-original-style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;line-height:1.5;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit;" style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;line-height:1.5;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit;">Students FREE with valid ID</li></ul>Space is limited, register now to save your spot! <p fr-original-style="width:100%;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;box-sizing:inherit;line-height:1.5;" id="isPasted" style="width:100%;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;box-sizing:inherit;line-height:1.5;">On the Menu:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="">Weber&rsquo;s Signature Family Style Dinner If you are a vegetarian, please let us know at afschi@teamwi.com.&nbsp;</li></ul> Sponsorship Opportunity: $100 Drink Sponsorship Opportunity - Only TWO spots available. Have your logo featured on drink tickets and table tents, giving your brand exclusive visibility throughout the event.<p fr-original-style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:16px;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:black;border:none;' style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:16px;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:black;border:none;'> Sign up for this sponsorship through event registration. <p fr-original-style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:16px;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;line-height:106%;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(15, 14, 91);" id="isPasted" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:16px;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;line-height:106%;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(15, 14, 91);">About the Speaker:<p fr-original-style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:16px;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;line-height:106%;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(15, 14, 91);" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:16px;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;line-height:106%;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(15, 14, 91);"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1792009472/wysiwyg/qpslleqmiqwqepihmbzw.jpg" style="width: 281px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto 5px 0px; text-align: left; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; max-width: 100%; position: relative; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 281px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto 5px 0px; text-align: left;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">Jiten Shah, Founder-President, PDA LLC&nbsp;Jiten Shah serves as Founder-President of PDA LLC, bringing more than 42 years of experience in casting design and engineering, digital manufacturing, and contract research. Since founding PDA LLC in 1993, Mr. Shah has worked at the intersection of foundry technology, engineering, and innovation, helping advance manufacturing through technical expertise and research.&nbsp;Throughout his industrial career, Mr. Shah has managed and contributed to contract research programs for organizations including the American Foundry Society (AFS), the U.S. Departments of Defense and Energy, and NASA. His work reflects a longstanding commitment to advancing foundry technology and supporting continued innovation across the industry.&nbsp;Mr. Shah holds master&#39;s degrees in Foundry Technology and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and has earned multiple patents, published technical papers, and delivered industry presentations. His contributions have been recognized with several AFS technical and service awards, including the 2022 William J. Grede Award, the 2025 Ray Witt Award, and the&nbsp;2026 Scientific Merit Award. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1777384914/wysiwyg/vrp1clrmmfi9mxkinae4.png" style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; max-width: 100%; position: relative; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"> Interested in becoming an AFS Chicago Sponsor?Register today to support our association while also promoting your organization to&nbsp;AFS Chicago members.👉&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/afs-chi-2026-27-sponsorship-opportunities" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Sign up for Sponsorship</a>

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1792074777/wysiwyg/s5yscw4fctzpygetlyvw.jpg" style="width:553px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;position:relative;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /> Join AFS Chicago on Wednesday, November 18, for dinner and a valuable presentation. Digital Transformation and Smart Foundries of the Future, with Jiten Shah, the Founder-President of PDA LLC, at <a href="https://webergrillrestaurant.com/schaumburg/" target="_blank">Weber Grill in Schaumburg, IL</a>. Digital Transformation &amp; Smart Foundries of the FutureThe North American metal casting industry is facing increasing pressure to improve productivity, maintain quality, control costs, and remain competitive in an evolving manufacturing landscape. Digital transformation offers opportunities to address these business challenges, yet many foundries are still determining where to start and how to turn new technologies into meaningful results. This session explores what digital transformation means for foundries, how to assess readiness, and how to develop a practical strategy for implementation. Attendees will learn why embracing digital technologies is becoming increasingly important and how these tools can help foundries improve efficiency, strengthen decision-making, and build a foundation for long-term growth. Through real-world case studies and industry examples, the session will explore what smart foundries of the future will showcase and how these businesses can begin taking practical steps toward that vision. Participants will leave with an enhanced understanding of the opportunities that lie ahead and actionable insights to help guide their own digital transformation journey. Attendees Will Learn:• What digital transformation means for today's foundries• How to assess organizational readiness and identify opportunities for improvement• Key considerations for developing and implementing a digital transformation strategy• The benefits of digital technologies for productivity, quality, efficiency, and competitiveness• What smart foundries of the future will project through real-world examples and case studies Agenda:5:00 PM Check-in &amp; Networking 5:45 PM Dinner followed by Presentation 8:00 PM Adjourn Registration: <ul><li>$55 AFS Members</li><li>$65 Non-Members</li><li>Students FREE with valid ID</li></ul>Space is limited, register now to save your spot! On the Menu:<ul><li>Weber’s Signature Family Style Dinner If you are a vegetarian, please let us know at afschi@teamwi.com. </li></ul> Sponsorship Opportunity: $100 Drink Sponsorship Opportunity - Only TWO spots available. Have your logo featured on drink tickets and table tents, giving your brand exclusive visibility throughout the event. Sign up for this sponsorship through event registration. About the Speaker:<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1792009472/wysiwyg/qpslleqmiqwqepihmbzw.jpg" style="width:281px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto 5px 0px;text-align:left;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;position:relative;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" />Jiten Shah, Founder-President, PDA LLC Jiten Shah serves as Founder-President of PDA LLC, bringing more than 42 years of experience in casting design and engineering, digital manufacturing, and contract research. Since founding PDA LLC in 1993, Mr. Shah has worked at the intersection of foundry technology, engineering, and innovation, helping advance manufacturing through technical expertise and research. Throughout his industrial career, Mr. Shah has managed and contributed to contract research programs for organizations including the American Foundry Society (AFS), the U.S. Departments of Defense and Energy, and NASA. His work reflects a longstanding commitment to advancing foundry technology and supporting continued innovation across the industry. Mr. Shah holds master's degrees in Foundry Technology and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and has earned multiple patents, published technical papers, and delivered industry presentations. His contributions have been recognized with several AFS technical and service awards, including the 2022 William J. Grede Award, the 2025 Ray Witt Award, and the 2026 Scientific Merit Award. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1777384914/wysiwyg/vrp1clrmmfi9mxkinae4.png" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;position:relative;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /> Interested in becoming an AFS Chicago Sponsor?Register today to support our association while also promoting your organization to AFS Chicago members.👉 <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/afs-chi-2026-27-sponsorship-opportunities" target="_blank">Sign up for Sponsorship</a>

AFS Chicago Chapter

AFS CHI | Digital Transformation and Smart Foundries of the Future

1010 N Meacham Rd