A global perspective

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Washington, has recognized the global nature of the recycling industry by selecting Vancouver for its 2015 Convention & Exposition, April 21-25, says Chuck Carr, ISRI vice president of member services. “The recycling industry is a global marketplace, and the 2015 ISRI Convention & Exposition will truly reflect that by being held outside of the United States for the first time ever,” he says.

Despite the international location for the first time in its history, the 2015 ISRI Convention & Exposition promises to uphold the features of the event that have made it so popular with attendees, namely an extensive schedule of exhibits, networking and educational programming.
 

Destination Vancouver

Carr says a number of factors are considered when selecting sites for ISRI’s annual conventions. “Our members are regularly surveyed on the major venues available to us,” he says. “They like having a home base in Las Vegas but like the chance to explore other cities as well. Many enjoy going to new venues, and ISRI members seem particularly excited about Vancouver, with all the scenery, restaurants and entertainment options available.”

Carr says that in addition to ranking as one of the world’s top cities consistently, Vancouver has set a goal to be the world’s “greenest” city by 2020. “Its location is convenient to ISRI’s traditional North American attendance base and is also attractive to the growing number of international attendees who are finding the ISRI convention to be a don’t-miss event,” he continues.

“It is important for attendees to remember that a passport is required for travel between the U.S. and Canada,” Carr notes. “Those planning to join us in Vancouver should check now to make sure their passports are up to date.”

The 2015 ISRI Convention & Exhibition will be at the Vancouver Convention Centre, which Carr describes as “one of the best and most beautiful facilities of its kind in the world.” He adds, “Built initially to house the media center for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, the harborside facility features spacious meeting facilities, convenient hotel access and world-class cuisine.”

While Carr says ISRI expects most convention attendees will be from the United States, the association is forecasting growth in Canadian attendance in light of many attendees from outside of North America, he says.
 

Program highlights

“Our surveys consistently note that attendees come to ISRI’s show because there is no place to get more or better exhibits, networking and programming,” Carr says.

He adds that attendees of the 2015 ISRI Convention & Exposition will recognize many of the same features they are familiar with from previous ISRI conventions. “They can count on seeing the world’s largest scrap recycling industry exposition, with more than 300 exhibitors showing equipment and services specific to this industry,” Carr says. “They can count on networking opportunities day and night—chances to see friends, vendors and consumers they typically see and, we expect, even more new attendees that this new venue will attract.”

New in 2015, however, will be the structure of the workshop programs, which Carr says will use ISRI’s traditional commodity spotlights as anchors, providing additional commodity-specific programming to augment the information attendees will glean from the spotlight sessions.

“There will also be a variety of noncommodity specific business programming on sales, human resources and much more,” he adds.

Carr suggests that attendees will not want to miss the Closing General Session, scheduled for Saturday, April 25, at 8 a.m., which features former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

Gates served as the 22nd secretary of defense from 2006 to 2011 and is the only secretary of defense in U.S. history to be asked to remain in that office by a newly elected president. Prior to his appointment as secretary of defense, Gates served 27 years as an intelligence professional with the Central Intelligence Agency and nine years at the National Security Council, serving four presidents of both political parties. Gates now partners with Condoleezza Rice in the consulting firm of RHG LLP. He serves on the board and executive committee of the American Council on Education and as president of the Boy Scouts of America.

“World affairs, as they are today, impact so much of our economy and certainly commodities markets,” Carr says. “There is no one currently available as a speaker who is better qualified to inform us on these issues than former Secretary Gates.”

The Opening General Session, scheduled for April 23 at 8 a.m., features entrepreneur Stan Slap, who will tell attendees how to maximize opportunity in pressured markets. “In this blistering, funny and empowering keynote speech, Stan will debunk the most common excuses for poor performance and provide the foundation for creating a solution mentality throughout any company,” according to www.ISRI Convention.org.

To make the most of the 2015 ISRI Convention & Exposition, Carr advises attendees, “Come early and stay late.”

He continues, “Purchase a full registration as the food and beverage opportunities alone make that the most cost-effective ticket for anyone attending. While there, take full advantage of all opportunities to learn about new equipment and procedures, to get up to speed on the latest legislative and regulatory issues and network with people you don’t know.”

Carr says that with minimal effort, attendees can realize an “amazing return on the time and money invested in attending” the convention. “That is why around 90 percent of ISRI’s attendees each year are returning attendees. The value is not hard to see and is yours for the taking,” he adds.

ISRI members are welcome to attend the association’s board and committee meetings, which begin April 21. Here, Carr says, attendees can “meet the real leaders of our industry” and learn how they can help to steer the future directions of the association.

“Attendees are also encouraged to stick around to the very end as our final night celebration will be one for the record books as we highlight the very best that our Canadian hosts have to offer in food and entertainment,” Carr says.

The Grand Closing Event is planned for Saturday, April 25, from 7 to 11 p.m.
 

On exhibit

More than 300 companies will exhibit large and small equipment, goods and services used in scrap recycling at this year’s ISRI convention. “This year’s exhibits are spread between two halls in order to accommodate all the exhibits you’ve come to expect,” Carr says, referring to the East and West exhibit halls at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

“As often occurs, vendors debut new equipment and technologies at the ISRI show, and there’s no reason to expect any different this year,” he adds. He tells attendees, “Bring your comfortable shoes. We’ll provide the tote bags.”

Finalize plans

Carr says registration for the 2015 ISRI Convention & Exposition is on track to be one of the largest conventions in the association’s history.

“Already one of the ISRI convention hotels has sold out and there is pressure on several others,” he says, adding that a number of quality hotel rooms are still available within walking distance of the Vancouver Convention Centre.

More details on the 2015 ISRI Convention & Exposition, including an updated schedule and registration information, are available at www.isriconvention.org.

The author is managing editor of Recycling Today and can be contacted via email at dtoto@gie.net.