A Global Scrap Market Comes Together

The Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco will be filled with the newest sights, sounds and ideas of the scrap processing industry from March 17 to March 21. The industry’s largest commercial event—The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI) Annual Convention and Exposition—will take place at the Moscone Center on those dates.

ISRI’s Annual Convention has grown in scope and size to the point where a convention center will for the first time serve as the event’s home rather than a single hotel. More than 200 booth spaces are being booked for the sizable Market Square exhibit area. The use of the spacious Moscone Center Exhibit Hall will also allow equipment manufacturers to display their wares indoors.

ISRI communications director Evelyn Haught is not shy about touting the grand scale of this year’s event. “Truly, this is the biggest show we’ve ever done. It’s really going to be a large, impressive show with a lot to offer.”

Judging by the response of exhibitors and attendees who have already booked floor space and hotel rooms, industry participants are equally enthused about this year’s convention. According to Haught, of the 210 booth spaces available (the most ISRI has ever offered), only 13 remained unsold as of mid-January.

MARKET SQUARE: A GLOBAL SCRAP VILLAGE

Without a doubt, walking the exhibit floor of the ISRI show is considered a highlight by many attendees. The exposition “is the reason most people attend,” says Haught.

For this year’s show, ISRI has put added thought into the larger floor space it has available and has crafted a Market Square theme. The 210 booths with exhibitors from every segment of the industry, the high ceiling that allows large equipment to be displayed, the 20th Century Club for scrap industry patriarchs, the on-line technology area—all these features and more should combine to create a marketplace atmosphere. “We wanted to create a kind of village concept that would become the heart and soul of the convention,” Haught remarks.

 An important part of that heart and soul feeling should come from the newly-created 20th Century Club, a hospitality area on the exhibition floor for scrap industry veterans with 40 or more years of service. “We’re hoping that members who have been working 40 or more years will find this section and see a lot of old friends,” says Haught. “With the size of this year’s show, especially, it could otherwise be hard to track people down.”

The technology area will feature two or three computer terminals and will make on-line commodity price tracking available for the convenience of attendees. ISRI is planning learning opportunities for the site to help members gain some insight into how technology can benefit them. “A lot of members really don’t have a lot of experience in this area,” Haught notes.

Exhibitors from around the world, impressive displays of all types of equipment, hospitality areas buzzing with networking and social opportunities, a technology area offering a look at the latest on-line capabilities: how would one summarize this year’s ISRI convention floor? “It is truly a marketplace for the scrap recycling industry,” ventures Haught.

CONSOLIDATION A HOT TOPIC

The late ‘90s are shaping up as an era of buyouts and consolidation in the scrap industry. It is no surprise, then, that a session focusing on that topic is among the offerings at this year’s convention.

 “Keeping Your Business in the Family in an Age of Consolidation” will be presented by Norb Schwarts on Thursday afternoon, March 19. This session will focus on both the strengths and weaknesses a family business might possess in today’s market, as well as mistakes that a family business owner can make in the era of consolidation. Schwarts will also look at how a family-owned scrap firm can get into the buy/sell business itself. Also on Thursday afternoon is a workshop presented by the ISRI Consumers Council entitled “Consolidation—More Than a Trend?”

Safety—both personal and financial—will also be a seminar topic. “Psychology and Safety: Why People Endanger Themselves” is being presented by ISRI director of risk management Mike Mattea on Friday, March 20. Mattea will look at documented cases of employees seemingly “hell-bent” to endanger themselves—and what a processor can do if they encounter such an employee.

On Thursday, participants can assess their susceptibility to financial malfeasance with “Show Me the Money! Fundamentals on Fraud and Embezzlement.” The workshop is jointly sponsored by two ISRI committees.

IMPRESSIVE ROSTER OF SPEAKERS

Gen. Colin Powell will address ISRI Convention attendees on Friday morning, March 20. “ISRI has been seeking Colin Powell as a speaker for years. "There is no question that room will be jam-packed,” says Haught.

Speaking Saturday will be former White House advisor George Stephanopolous. Former POW Capt. Gerald Coffee speaks on Thursday.

Combined with the largest exhibit ever, seminars on hot topics, and the cosmopolitan setting of one of the world’s fascinating cities, this year’s speakers provide one more reason for scrap recycling industry participants to head to San Francisco on March 17.

The author is managing editor of Recycling Today.