AFS Chicago Chapter

AFS Member Early Bird

AFS Member

Non-Member Early Bird

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/v1782745610/wysiwyg/iu6fxacsvgdl3ovbs892.jpg" 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"><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;"> <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 Thursday, September 24, for dinner and a presentation: Hire for Fit. Train for Skill, Retain for Life - A Strategic Workforce Approach for Foundries and Manufacturing Leaders with&nbsp;Bill Padnos, Director of Workforce Development, Non-Ferrous Founders&#39; Society,&nbsp;at Weber Grill in Schaumburg, IL.&nbsp;<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;"> Every foundry is feeling the pressure of workforce shortages, rising turnover, and increasing competition for skilled talent. Yet many companies still rely on a &ldquo;post and hope&rdquo; hiring strategy that struggles to deliver long-term results. This session introduces a practical workforce framework built around a simple but powerful philosophy: Hire for Fit. Train for Skill. Retain for Life.&nbsp;Attendees will learn how leading foundries are shifting from reactive hiring to intentional workforce systems that improve attraction, onboarding, engagement, and retention. Through real-world examples and proven practices, this session explores how to identify the right people using behavioral and cultural fit, build confidence and competence through structured training, and create workplace environments where employees choose to stay and grow.Participants will leave with practical ideas they can apply immediately to strengthen their talent pipeline, improve retention, and build a more stable, productive workforce. Attendees Will Learn:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;" type="disc"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Why traditional hiring approaches often fail&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">How to define and hire for &ldquo;fit&rdquo; instead of just experience&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Practical onboarding and training strategies that build early success&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Ways frontline leaders influence retention and workforce culture&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">How workforce systems support productivity, quality, and long-term growth&nbsp;</li></ul>This is not an HR session. It is a business strategy session focused on building the workforce foundries need to compete and grow. Agenda:5:00 PM Check-in &amp; Networking 6:00 PM&nbsp;Dinner followed by Hire for Fit. Train for Skill. Retain for Life. 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="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">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: <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1780510105/wysiwyg/q7yvguvcmku3ruheqo7w.jpg" style="width: 237px; 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: 237px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto 5px 0px; text-align: left;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"> Bill Padnos, Director of Workforce Development, Non-Ferrous Founders&#39; Society Bill Padnos serves as the Director of Workforce Development for the Non-Ferrous Founders&rsquo; Society (NFFS), bringing more than 25 years of experience in non-profit management within trade associations, professional societies, and captive organizations. In his role, Bill leads NFFS workforce development initiatives, including serving as a Network Coach for the Navy&#39;s Talent Pipeline Program, helping member foundries address workforce challenges through industry partnerships, career awareness programs, training initiatives, and talent acquisition and retention strategies.&nbsp; Before joining NFFS, Bill served as Executive Director of the National Tooling &amp; Machining Association Foundation, where he led workforce development programs focused on youth engagement, education and training, apprenticeship pathways, and community outreach. Throughout his career, he has worked to strengthen connections between industry, education, and workforce development organizations to build sustainable talent pipelines for manufacturing. Bill holds a Bachelor&#39;s degree in Marketing from Indiana University and has earned several industry certifications, including Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce&#39;s Institute for Organization Management, and Marano Fellow through the Aspen Institute. <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">

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip " fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name , Thank you for registering for AFS Chicago&#39;s dinner meeting! Here are the details for the event:📅 <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{date-variable-cbc9108d-7dad-491f-ad24-a26bee0f7560}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">Date&nbsp;📍 <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{location-variable-60054122-2af1-435b-b364-30524565edf7}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">Location&nbsp; Agenda:🕔 5:00 PM - Check-in &amp; Networking🍽️ 6:00 PM - Dinner followed by Presentation👋 8:00 PM - Adjourn Kind regards, AFS CHICAGO

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1782745610/wysiwyg/iu6fxacsvgdl3ovbs892.jpg" 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%" /> Join AFS Chicago on Thursday, September 24, for dinner and a presentation: Hire for Fit. Train for Skill, Retain for Life - A Strategic Workforce Approach for Foundries and Manufacturing Leaders with Bill Padnos, Director of Workforce Development, Non-Ferrous Founders' Society, at Weber Grill in Schaumburg, IL.  Every foundry is feeling the pressure of workforce shortages, rising turnover, and increasing competition for skilled talent. Yet many companies still rely on a “post and hope” hiring strategy that struggles to deliver long-term results. This session introduces a practical workforce framework built around a simple but powerful philosophy: Hire for Fit. Train for Skill. Retain for Life. Attendees will learn how leading foundries are shifting from reactive hiring to intentional workforce systems that improve attraction, onboarding, engagement, and retention. Through real-world examples and proven practices, this session explores how to identify the right people using behavioral and cultural fit, build confidence and competence through structured training, and create workplace environments where employees choose to stay and grow.Participants will leave with practical ideas they can apply immediately to strengthen their talent pipeline, improve retention, and build a more stable, productive workforce. Attendees Will Learn:<ul><li>Why traditional hiring approaches often fail </li><li>How to define and hire for “fit” instead of just experience </li><li>Practical onboarding and training strategies that build early success </li><li>Ways frontline leaders influence retention and workforce culture </li><li>How workforce systems support productivity, quality, and long-term growth </li></ul>This is not an HR session. It is a business strategy session focused on building the workforce foundries need to compete and grow. Agenda:5:00 PM Check-in &amp; Networking 6:00 PM Dinner followed by Hire for Fit. Train for Skill. Retain for Life. 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/v1780510105/wysiwyg/q7yvguvcmku3ruheqo7w.jpg" style="width:237px;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%" /> Bill Padnos, Director of Workforce Development, Non-Ferrous Founders' Society Bill Padnos serves as the Director of Workforce Development for the Non-Ferrous Founders’ Society (NFFS), bringing more than 25 years of experience in non-profit management within trade associations, professional societies, and captive organizations. In his role, Bill leads NFFS workforce development initiatives, including serving as a Network Coach for the Navy's Talent Pipeline Program, helping member foundries address workforce challenges through industry partnerships, career awareness programs, training initiatives, and talent acquisition and retention strategies.  Before joining NFFS, Bill served as Executive Director of the National Tooling &amp; Machining Association Foundation, where he led workforce development programs focused on youth engagement, education and training, apprenticeship pathways, and community outreach. Throughout his career, he has worked to strengthen connections between industry, education, and workforce development organizations to build sustainable talent pipelines for manufacturing. Bill holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Indiana University and has earned several industry certifications, including Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Organization Management, and Marano Fellow through the Aspen Institute. <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%" />

AFS Chicago Chapter

AFS CHI | Hire for Fit. Train for Skill. Retain for Life.

1010 N Meacham Rd