WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The nation's leading steel framing industry forum -- Pacific Rim Steel Framing Conference (PACRIM) has dramatically increased educational opportunities for participants who will attend the fifth conference at the Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio in Honolulu, Hawaii from March 14-17, 2007.

Hosted by the Hawaii Pacific Steel Framing Alliance (HPSFA) and held in conjunction with the Spring Forum of Steel Framing Alliance (SFA) and the national meeting of the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI), the 2007 PACRIM will feature informative presentations on advancements in steel framed homes, new research on steel framing performance, design standards and an executive track which will focus on two-pronged areas of innovations in steel technology and industry competitiveness.

"Every year, PACRIM attendees tell us that they come to the conference to learn about the advancements in steel framing technology and grow professionally," said Larry Williams, President, Steel Framing Alliance. "The enhancements we've made to the training programs and symposiums directly support those objectives."

The offerings include a trade expo featuring different products and services on steel and related products, a wide variety of seminar tracks to attract building designers, contractors and homebuilders as well as a hands-on steel framing curriculum to supplement the seminars. The conference will feature speakers from around the world who will address topics on economics, home forecasts, architectural and engineering issues, and new construction tools and technologies. Additionally, the CFSEI will hold its annual meeting and technology sessions in conjunction with PACRIM, which will include field trips and special presentations on resisting progressive collapse, as well as the structural effects of the recent earthquake in Hawaii.

PACRIM will join manufacturers, distributors, developers, steel-framing contractors, architects, engineers, and government and research officials for a full schedule of networking seminars

"We hope the 2007 PACRIM will help enhance the industry's abilities to compete with new products and services, increase customer satisfaction, and enable innovations throughout the steel framing industry," said Adam Sutton, President, Hawaii Pacific Steel Framing Alliance. "The conference will also focus on identifying and discussing major trends that will have significant impact on the industry and leaders' role and responsibility."

For more information about the PACRIM Conference and to register, please visit http://www.hawaiisteel.com/ or call 808.485.1400.

The Hawaii Pacific Steel Framing Alliance is a local division of the Steel Framing Alliance. HPSFA provides homeowners and builders with reliable consumer information on the practical and economic benefits of building with cold-formed steel, throughout the Pacific Rim.

The Steel Framing Alliance, the Washington, D.C.-based association of more than 1,450 companies and organizations with the mission of enabling the widespread use of steel framing in residential and commercial construction. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., SFA provides education, publications, technical support, research and development, and market development programs to companies representing the full spectrum of manufacturing, construction, design, distribution and professional services.