ISRI staying the course on April convention

A March 8 email from current Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) chair Brian Shine to the association’s members indicates ISRI is planning to “continue to move forward” with its ISRI2020 convention, which is April 27-30 in Las Vegas.

“Since we first heard of the virus in China, ISRI leadership and staff have been actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation, relying on the expertise of professionals in medicine, business, government and academia,” writes Shine. “We have worked to sort fact from fear so that we can make the best and the safest decisions concerning ISRI2020.”

Adds Shine, “At this time, we plan to continue to move forward with the convention.”

Shine and ISRI point to a “general consensus [that] the best defenses against COVID-19 are individual actions and best practices: wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, and avoid public places if you are sick.” Shine calls it advice that “is equally valid whether you are at home or in Las Vegas.”

“We recognize that this situation is changing rapidly, which is why it is essential that we closely watch how the virus affects government policies, transportation access and more,” continues Shine. “At this time, we believe the risk of exposure to COVID-19 remains low, but we will continue to monitor the situation in real-time.”

Shine adds, “There are several rather large conventions being held in Las Vegas before ISRI2020, including ConExpo, the National Association of Broadcasters and the NFL Draft Experience. Currently, each of these events, which are larger than ISRI2020, are still moving forward.”

ISRI has created a message link at the top of its convention webpage designed to give “everyone the most up-to-date and factual information on ISRI's thinking” regarding the convention, says Shine.

“We will continue to monitor the best practices of other conventions and the best advice of our medical, business, and governmental experts,” concludes Shine. He adds that ConExpo-Con/Agg has created a “No Handshakes” campaign for its meeting “to help remind people to stay safe.”