The Iron & Steel Society (ISS) and the Association of Iron & Steel Engineers (AISE), both based in Pittsburgh, Pa., intend to merge as of January 1, 2004, according to officials from the two organizations. The announcement was made at ISSTech 2003, the Iron & Steel Society's annual conference, held this year in Indianapolis. The boards of directors of the two groups have approved the consolidation. The matter now goes out for a ballot to members of both associations, for final approval. Both ISS and AISE are rich in history and tradition, with ISS dating back to 1871 and AISE to 1907. In the span of those years, each group has provided resources and training in the technical side of the ironmaking and steelmaking processes.