Remember the Alamo

The city of San Antonio will serve as the first time home for the scrap industry’s largest annual event. And while market conditions will be one topic of conversation, those preferring to be distracted can inspect processing equipment, link up with old friends and associates, and take in the sights of San Antonio.

A SCRAP ODYSSEY

Evelyn Haught, communications director for ISRI, says although the show could have adopted a southern theme, instead “2001: A Scrap Odyssey” was chosen as this year’s show theme with the “entire convention being oriented toward the future of scrap,” she says.

The organization of the speakers and educational tracks is almost in a talk show format, she says, adding, “I think that is going to be of tremendous interest to everyone.” This year’s show features six educational tracks, the most there have been at any ISRI show.

The futuristic theme will also lend to a discussion of materials to be recycled in the future, with electronics recycling being one, and what opportunities those present. “The industry and some entrepreneurs are currently struggling with this,” she says. “Someone is going to end up carving out some great niches here.”

Organizers of the convention, taking place March 20-24, expect it to be the largest ISRI show ever in attendance, exhibit space leased, and in educational tracks. The convention facility lends itself to a large show, Haught says. “We are using a real state-of-the-art convention center and are able to exhibit both booths and equipment [in the same location]. It is great for the attendees because everything is at their fingertips,” she says of downtown San Antonio’s Gonzalez Center.

With the 129,000 square feet of exhibit and booth space nearly sold out as of mid-January, Haught has big expectations for the show. About 3,400 attendees representing 34 countries are expected to be in attendance.

Even though recycling markets have been down, Haught says the ISRI annual convention has traditionally been enough of a draw to attract a high attendance rate, including a number of international attendees. “It is the biggest scrap recycling trade show in the world and each year we are getting more and more foreign attendees.”

Another highlight of the show is keynote speaker, Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s former prime minister and the first female to hold the position. Haught says Thatcher is not an easy speaker to book and she is flying in exclusively for the event. “Our members seem very excited about hearing her,” she says. “I think everybody senses that she was one of the leading world figures and that it is a significant event.”

INFORMATION GATHERING

The educational sessions and exhibits are probably two of the top reasons people attend the annual convention, and this year is no exception. And as the recycling markets continue to fluctuate, the make-up of convention attendees continues to change as well.

John Sacco, president of Sierra International Machinery, Bakersfield, Calif., says the show is one that spans the entire recycling industry. “The ISRI national show is the one show a year that encompasses the bulk of the scrap metal recyclers and paper recyclers in the United States and in some cases the world,” he says. “That is the place for exposure and is why we are always attending and participating in the show.”

Sacco says he has noticed more small businesses attending the show, in addition to the larger, more established companies. “They are starting to see the advantages,” he says. “The show also has tremendous seminars for the education of the recycler. We are a scrap metal processor and we get double the benefit from the show, not only as an exhibitor but also at the seminars.”

In addition to agreeing with Sacco about becoming more educated about the scrap recycling industry, Scott Williams, vice president of sales and marketing for Harris, Peachtree City, Ga., says the show is a great networking opportunity.

“Obviously ISRI is an important organization for recycling, and support of ISRI is crucial for the industry,” Williams says. “The ISRI annual convention is highly anticipated by the people who attend and we feel a lot of the purchasing decisions are formulated before they go there.”

With weaker recycling markets and some people scaling back their overall travel, he says that has forced the company to make sure it is creative in capturing customers’ attention through sales and marketing activities. “We’re anticipating a strong turnout and a very good show,” he says. “It’s a lot easier to see 400 of your customers at ISRI rather than make 400 sales calls.”

Don R. Smith of Caterpillar agrees ISRI can be a very productive show for business. “Some of these shows don’t have key decision makers and you can spend time with lip service,” says Smith, scrap and demolition sales/marketing manager for North America, says. “But at ISRI you can get into discussions and sell product at the show.”

More information about the 2001 ISRI National Convention, including workshop tracks, registration information, convention sponsors and optional tours available, can be found at the ISRI Web site at www.isri.org. RT

The author is the Associate Editor of Recycling Today and can be reached at mgoodrich@recyclingtoday.com.