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Solid waste management continues to evolve. As recycling becomes more sophisticated, collection becomes more advanced and organic waste gains attention, companies are looking for ways to stay ahead of the curve.

Gaining a competitive edge can be achieved in many ways at the solid waste and recycling trade show WasteExpo. Event organizers say they anticipate 11,000 participants at this year’s event.

The conference runs from April 28 to May 1 and features educational sessions and special events, while the exhibition is scheduled for April 29 to May 1. The exhibit hall will display product offerings from 550 companies, including dozens of new companies, show organizers say. It all takes place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Recycling Today spoke with Liz Bothwell, marketing director of the Waste Industry Group at Penton, based in New York City, about what else is in store for attendees of WasteExpo 2014. Penton’s Waste Industry Group, which publishes Waste360, has been working with the newly renamed and rebranded National Waste & Recycling Association, Washington, D.C., on programming for the event and other new attractions. (See page 62 for an interview with National Waste & Recycling Association President and CEO Sharon H. Kneiss.)
 

Recycling Today (RT): What new features will WasteExpo 2014 offer to this year’s attendees?

Liz Bothwell (LB): WasteExpo 2014 is all about giving attendees more. For 46 years, WasteExpo has been the largest solid waste and recycling trade show and conference in North America, and this time around we’re giving attendees even more:

• More exhibitors – Solution providers are constantly innovating, and our exhibitors are waiting to show attendees their latest and greatest at WasteExpo 2014—to help them do their jobs even better. Plus, many new exhibitors are joining the ranks, so attendees will find everything they need under one roof.
• More education – This is their once-a-year live opportunity to gain insights from thousands of industry experts and peers all under one roof. 2014 brings more content in the form of Super Sessions, Ask the Experts and Composting & Organics Recycling. Attendees will walk away with the knowledge they need to make money and save money while staying safe and compliant.
• More connections – Attendees can network with 11,000 of their peers (more participants than any other event), to make helpful connections that can last a lifetime.
• More bang for their buck – We know it’s not always easy to get out of the office, but we think attendees will agree that it’s worth it for WasteExpo, where everything is in one place. They can get more done in three days at WasteExpo than they can the rest of the year.

RT: We recently learned about Waste360’s renewed partnership with the National Waste & Recycling Association. How will that enhance the offerings at this year’s event?

LB: We’re delighted that we’ve expanded our partnership with the National Waste & Recycling Association. They’ve helped program an all new conference program with fresh content and a deeper focus on interaction and discussion. Plus, we’ve worked together to poll members and alumni to see exactly what was keeping them up at night. From new Ask the Expert sessions to Super Sessions, there’s so much more to this year’s event, and we can’t wait for our alumni and new attendees to experience it.

On the exhibitor side, we’ve partnered with the association to benefit exhibitors by being able to offer our customers the opportunity to reach the entire waste and recycling industry through our two organizations. Together we can be all things waste and recycling to our close-knit industry.

 

RT: The Investor Summit and Composting & Organics track, which debuted in 2013, are once again on the agenda. What prompted the decision to bring these back this year?

LB: Success is what prompted the decision to bring back both the Composting & Organics track as well as the WasteExpo Investor Summit.

The Composting & Organics track was standing room only last year, so we’ve actually made it two tracks this year, since that’s what our attendees said they wanted. We’ve worked again with Stu Buckner, former head of the U.S. Composting Council, to fulfill our promise to deliver world-class learning. To check out the robust program to see exactly what awaits this growing market, visit www.waste expo.com.

The WasteExpo Investor Summit also was a successful launch, with hundreds of attendees eager to hear from industry luminaries about the state of the industry, their companies and what lies ahead. Wunderlich Securities, Memphis, Tenn., is once again sponsoring the event, and we look forward to delivering another successful and unique event.

RT: Why should someone in the recycling industry attend WasteExpo?

LB: WasteExpo is the live event for the recycling industry. Nowhere else will recycling professionals find more networking opportunities, business opportunities, real-world education and timely solutions. A main component of our conference program is recycling, and we made a conscious effort to ensure that recycling professionals are being served here. We’ve also teamed up with some local recycling associations to help them bring WasteExpo to their members.

Liz Bothwell is marketing director for Penton’s Waste Industry Group and can be reached at liz.bothwell@penton.com.

On the agenda
Individuals who are considering attending WasteExpo, which is scheduled for April 28 to May 1 at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, can access the agenda for the event at www.wasteexpo.com/wasteexpo2014/custom/uploads/WasteExpo14_grid.pdf.