Making Connections

The first quarter of 2011 proved secondary materials are in high demand and metals prices are reaching all time highs. Two industry events slated for spring may offer the opportunity to capitalize on that momentum by giving recyclers the opportunity to meet others in the industry, see the newest technology and learn about the latest trends affecting the industry.

From the Southwest United States to Southeast Asia, the month of May offers two events that provide face-to-face networking and educational opportunities for thousands of recycling professionals: WasteExpo and the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) World Recycling Convention & Exposition.

DESCENDING ON DALLAS
WasteExpo is North America’s largest event serving the solid waste and recycling industry. Event organizers choose  a different U.S. city each year for the conference in an attempt to give industry professionals throughout North America an opportunity to attend without having to travel too far.

The 2011 WasteExpo is scheduled to take place in Dallas at the Dallas Convention Center from May 9-11, with exhibits open from May 10-12.

“In just four days, attendees will have the ability to attend conference sessions on the topics impacting their industry, meet with over 500 industry-leading exhibitors and network with solid waste and recycling professionals from around the world,” says event producer Rita Ugianskis-Fishman, managing director, of Penton Media’s waste industry group.

According to Ugianskis-Fishman, last year more than 11,400 industry professionals representing 64 countries attended the conference.
“Waste Expo brings the entire solid waste and recycling community together,” she says.

Participants will have the opportunity to choose from more than 40 conference sessions covering a range of topics, including recycling markets, alternative energy, workplace health and safety, recycling markets, collection technology, media relations and fuel management as well as workshops on landfill operations and fleet maintenance practices.

Monday, May 9, The Environmental Industry Associations’ Golf Invitational takes place at 8 a.m. at the Cowboy’s Golf Club. Educational sessions will start at 9 a.m. and will be held throughout the day. Among the recycling-related sessions scheduled for Monday are “E-Recycling: Expanding Opportunities,” “Recycling Waste from Natural Disasters?,” “Stuck Between the Sheets: An update on Paper Markets” and “Plastics Recycling Markets: Room for Growth.”

Tuesday, May 10, sessions of interest to recyclers include “Protecting Employees at Material Recovery Facilities: New ANSI Standards” and “Salvaging Recycling: New Developments in Construction and Demolition Materials.”

Attendees also can gain knowledge during  “Lunch-N-Learn” sessions from noon to 1:30 p.m. May 9, 10 and 11. Of particular interest to recyclers is the lunch session scheduled for Wednesday, May 11, titled “The Gulf Coast Oil Clean-Up, A Waste and Recycling Industry Perspective.”

Waste and recycling professionals also have the opportunity to access select conference sessions after the event through an on-demand video library. Ugianskis-Fishman says, “This new online library provides solid waste and recycling professionals the opportunity to benefit from WasteExpo’s conference sessions whenever it is convenient for them. The library features professional and unedited recordings and will be available 365/24/7.”

The keynote speaker for this year’s WasteExpo conference is T. Boone Pickens, chairman of BP Capital and author of The First Billion is the Hardest: Reflections on a life of Comebacks and America’s Energy Future. He will address attendees Wednesday, May, 11 beginning at 9 a.m.

The exhibit hall, which showcases the latest technology, equipment and services in the waste and recycling sector, is open Tuesday, May 10, and Wednesday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Recycling Today and sister publication Construction & Demolition Recycling are among the exhibitors.)

Several conferences providing specific information for the waste and recycling industry are colocating with WasteExpo this year. The Healthcare Waste Conference is an industry-recognized educational event that focuses on the latest regulatory, legislative and technical issues that affect the medical waste business. The Waste Training Institute is designed to help employees in small, medium and large waste service companies run their businesses more effectively. The Fluid Power Conference and Expo offers a variety of topics from fluid power fundamentals to compressed air preparation and motion control basics to hydraulic systems filtration. Additional registrations are required to attend these conferences.

WasteExpo has also launched a new Spouse Program for this year’s event, which Ugianskis-Fishman says provides cultural and social opportunities for the spouses of attendees.

Pre-registration pricing for 2011 WasteExpo is available through April 8. More information about programming, exhibitors and registration for the event is available at www.wasteexpo.com.

ASIAN FLAVOR
The BIR World Recycling Convention & Exhibition will take place May 23-25 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. According to the BIR, the hotel venue is considered one of the best business hotels in the world. This is the second time that the BIR has chosen Singapore as a location for its convention, which has been held at various locations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia in recent years.

“BIR offers its members a [widely] varied range of convention venues so they can explore many different markets,” says Elisabeth Christ, BIR communications director. “The advantage of Singapore is that it is an important commercial hub for Southeast Asia, facilitating also access to China and India.”

The BIR says it expects about 1,000 attendees from 70 countries to be in attendance for plenary sessions during its May World Recycling Convention &
Exhibition.

“BIR gatherings are the most international gatherings within the recycling industry,” Christ says. “The benefits for participants are, of course, the excellent networking opportunities, the latest information on the different commodity markets, middle- to long-term market forecasts by international experts and updates on the international environmental and trade legislation.”

While convention, membership, communication and finance committee meetings are scheduled for Sunday, May 22, the actual convention begins Monday, May 23.

On Monday, May 23, the following plenary sessions are scheduled: Stainless Steel & Specialty Alloys; Ferrous Division; Shredder Committee; and International Trade Council.

The BIR Welcome Evening is planned for all registered delegates and spouses at 7:30 p.m. Monday, which, according to the association, takes attendees to one of Singapore’s landmarks.

“Exceptional food and colorful entertainment will create an unforgettable moment in the beautiful exotic city,” according to the BIR’s website.

The BIR has plans to announce additional details on the Welcome Evening at a later date.

Plenary sessions on Tuesday, May 24, include the Nonferrous Metals Division and Copper Symposium; the Annual General Assembly; and the International Environment Council. These sessions are open to all convention attendees.

According to Christ, a high-profile guest speaker has been secured for the General Assembly, which the BIR will announce at a later date in advance of the conference.

Wednesday, May 25, includes plenary sessions for the Paper Division, the Plastics Division and the Textiles Division.

Throughout the convention, attendees will have access to an exhibition hall with an estimated 40 stands. International equipment manufacturers and service providers to the recycling industry will be showcasing their products, services and technology. London Metal Exchange and COMEX quotations also are provided during convention hours.

The conference registration desk is open Sunday, May 22, from 2 to 6 p.m.; Monday, May 23, and Tuesday, May 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, May 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More information on the BIR World Recycling Convention & Exposition is available from the association at http://convention.bir.org.

Kristin Smith is associate editor of Recycling Today and can be reached at ksmith@gie.net.