Chicago will once again host WasteExpo, with an estimated 12,000 attendees expected for 2001, says Rita Ugianskis-Fishman, WasteExpo show director. In addition to the traditional features of the show, including educational sessions, the exhibit hall and networking opportunities, several new features have been added.
One of the big changes attendees may notice is the show’s schedule, taking place April 3 to 5, more than a month earlier than last year’s May show. The venue, however, is familiar.
Chicago’s McCormick Place South has hosted the show before, although not without some complaints registered by exhibitors regarding set-up and teardown policies at the facility.
Ugianskis-Fishman acknowledges the difficulties attendees and exhibitors had when the show was held in Chicago in 1998. “A lot has changed and it remains to be seen” as to whether changes promised by facility officials will be enforced, she says.
The show’s organizers discussed the previous complaints with convention officials in Chicago. “They know . . . WasteExpo probably won’t come back if things do not go successfully.” So far, she says she has heard positive things from WasteExpo planners working with McCormick Place. “We are working with Chicago and their unions to make this a good show.”
GAINING ATTENTION
An event that all attendees will want to note, Ugianskis-Fishman says, is “The Great Debate: Is Recycling Garbage?”
In 1996, The New York Times Magazine ran a cover story titled “Recycling Is Garbage,” expressing the view of author John Tierney that recycling was a waste of time and an inefficient use of resources. Environmentalist Allen Hershowitz of the Natural Resource Defense Council disagreed, and the two have swapped opinions through the media ever since. At the Tuesday night cocktail reception, the two will participate in a live debate.
Additions to the educational format at this year’s show include sessions organized by the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). Those sessions will be looking at topics such as managing recycling and garbage collection costs, doing business through local governments and tracks specifically for manufacturers and other generators of waste.
Ugianskis-Fishman says the show is trying to attract three main audiences through the educational sessions. “We primarily seek to attract three main groups,” she says. “The private sector, the public sector and the waste generators. These are basically the facility managers or the vice presidents of environmental compliance across all industries.”
She says the organization of the educational sessions seem to be influencing the attendance of the show, as several companies have opted to send multiple attendees specifically for the value of the educational sessions.
In addition to sessions organized by SWANA, the Environmental Industry Associations (EIA) and WASTEC have organized four days of programming covering topics such as buying and selling through the Internet, a look at international recycling markets, and electronics recycling.
Seven hours of educational sessions have been organized by the Yale University Solid Waste Policy Program faculty. These sessions will address the changing needs of large manufacturing and commercial waste generators. Speakers from McDonald’s Corp., Target Corp., and Kinko’s will talk about managing and measuring the performance of waste management providers and when to use contracting consultants. These sessions are geared toward waste generators, whether they are retail and fast food chains or Fortune 500 manufacturing companies.
| Second City Suggestions |
|
Chicago hosts a wide range of attractions, festivals and entertainment venues, but navigating the city to see these attractions can be an adventure in itself. The first suggestion Chicagoans offer to visitors is to leave the car at home. It will allow for saved time, money and aggravation. If you must bring a vehicle, try to avoid the prime rush hours of 7 to 9:30 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m., and use parking garages instead of meters on the street. The two-hour time limit and 25 cents per 15 minutes cost makes meters inconvenient and uneconomical. Cabs are another possible method of transportation, as is the “el” (elevated train), busses and the METRA Train for those coming in from the suburbs. Walking is another option if the weather cooperates. Once transportation challenges have been conquered, there are a number of sights to see in the city provided one has the spare time, including: • Navy Pier: Navy Pier includes shops, restaurants, parks, gardens, concerts, an IMAX theater, and a 150-foot Ferris wheel, just to name a few attractions. An indoor botanical garden, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Festival Hall are also at Navy Pier. • John Hancock Building Observatory: One hundred floors above Michigan Avenue, the Hancock Observatory offers a spectacular view of the city. A tip to avoid long lines: visit the Signature Lounge located on the 96th floor. Drinks may be expensive, but the view is great. • Jane Addams Hull House: This former settlement house is now a museum of the original 13 restored buildings. • Lincoln Park Zoo: Perhaps the biggest selling point of the nation’s oldest zoo is that it is free all year round. Located in the middle of Lincoln Park, the zoo is near the lakefront and is home to more than 1,200 creatures. • Magnificent Mile: Running from the Chicago River to Lincoln Park, North Michigan Avenue, the Magnificent mile offers more than 60 retail stores. |
A WASTE AND RECYCLING SHOPPING MALL
Booth space for the event is also being reserved quickly, Ugianskis-Fishman says, with the 2001 show being a record year in terms of sales. “We were a little nervous about it being in Chicago, but we seemed to certainly have overcome that,” she remarks. “We have about 100 new companies this year, and many of our old customers have upgraded their space.”
Companies displaying at WasteExpo exhibit for a variety of reasons, but most seem to agree the exposure the show is able to offer is a definite selling point. Rob Glass, sales manager for Shred-Tech, Cambridge, Ontario, says contacts that can be made during the show provide a reason why Shred-Tech exhibits. “There are various reasons, with number one being prospecting,” Glass says. “Also, to also keep not only in touch with the market, but to be visible and seen as one of the major players in the recycling industry is important.”
Being able to generate sales leads at the show is another reason he finds the show worthwhile. “I think it’s the best show for the widest coverage in our industry, and it seems to attract a wide variety of people in the waste industry. That is what we are after,” Glass says.
While some have voiced concerns about holding the show in Chicago again, Glass says Chicago provides some definite benefits as a host city. It is a very accessible city and easy to get to from all over the continent. “It’s central and draws from both coasts,” he notes. Glass expects this year’s show to be well attended, and that is what exhibitors are looking for.
At the same time, Glass says how exhibitors are treated when they set up and tear down their displays will be watched carefully. “It seems to be that Chicago is a little more pronounced than some of the other locations” as far as possible problems of that nature. But, he says, “it has gotten better compared to five or six years ago,” and most negative aspects of hosting the show in the city can be outweighed by high show attendance.
Ulf Qvarford, sales manager of Continental BioMass, Newton, N.H., says the ability to network and make industry contacts is a main reason his company exhibits at the show. “Waste Expo is the largest recycling show in the country and it is the show where you get the most exposure,” he says. “It seems to be the place where the decision makers are. ”
Based on the number of people who will gather in Chicago in early May, Qvarford is not alone in his estimation of the show’s value. RT
The author is the Associate Editor of Recycling Today.
A-1 Plastics • Accent Wire Products • Action Equipment Co. Inc. • AG Truck Sales • Ag-Bag Environmental • Alcoa Wheel Products International • Al-jon Inc. • Allegheny Paper Shredders Corp. • Allied Waste Industries Inc. • Allison Transmission • Altra Lids • American Baler Co. • American Pulverizer Co. • American Refuse Supply • American Rolloff/Hook-All Hooklifts • American Waste Digest • Ameri-Kan • Amerimulch • Ameri-Shred • Andrews Environmental Engineering Inc. • Applied Sweepers International • ASA • B & B Equipment Sales Co. Inc. • Balemaster • Bandit Industries Inc. • Barbee Paint & Coatings • Barker Solutions • Battery Solutions • Bayer Corp. • Bayne Premium Lift Systems • Becker Underwood Inc. • BenLee Inc. • Bering Truck Corp. • Best Pac • BioCycle Magazine • Blackhawk Environmental Co. • Blount Parrish & Co. • Blower Application Co. • BOA Machine Fabriek B.V. • Bobcat • BOMAG • Bortech Corp. • Brake Pro Ltd. • Brake Show Crew • Brown Bear Corp. • Bulk Handling Systems Inc. • Bulldog Caster Co. Inc. • Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co. Inc. • Butler Fleet Services • C.A.G. Corp. • Cardinal Scale Mfg. Co. • Caron Compactor Co. • Cascade Engineering • Caterpillar Inc. • Cavert Wire Co. Inc. • Center Capital Corp. • Central Fiber Corp. • Central Manufacturing • CES-Landtec • Chalmers Suspensions International Inc. • Chelsea Auxiliary Power • Chem Rex Inc. Commercial Construction • Chemicals Division • Clean Environment Corp. • Clear Computer • Coleman Tool and Mfg. Corp. • Columbia Analytical Services Inc. • Columbia Corp. • Columbus McKinnon Corp. • Container Components • Continental Biomass Industries Inc. • CP Manufacturing • Crane Equipment Mfg. Corp. • Cross Wrap Ltd. • CRW Inc. • CSI Inc. • CTP/Integrated Receivable Processing • CW Manufacturing • DEL Hydraulics Inc. • Dempster • Desert Micro • Diamond Z Manufacturing • Disposal Management Systems Inc. • DL Marketing • Donovan Enterprises • DuPont OEM/Fleet Finishes • DuraTech • EarthCase • East Mfg. Corp. • ECCO • Eco Waste Solutions Inc. • Ecolo Odor Control Worldwide • EIA • EMCON/OWT Solid Waste Services • Emery Winslow Scale Co. • EnviroConn.com • Environmental Service Products Mfg. • Epax Systems Inc. • EPG Companies • Epoleon Corp. • Erin Systems • Evergreen National Idemnity Co. • Excel Manufacturing • EZ Rolloffs LLC • Fecon • Fibres International • Financial Federal Credit Inc. • FLEETBOSS • FlexARM Corp. • Flexxaire Mfg. Inc. • Florig • Freightliner Trucks • G & H Manufacturing Ltd. • Glabreath Inc. • Gannett Fleming • Gedden Inc. • Georgia U.S. Data Services • Global Odor Control Technologies LLC • Global Sensor Systems Inc. • GM Fleet and Commercial • Golder Associates • Granutech Saturn Systems • Group Chagon • GSE Lining Technology • Guilford Technical Textiles • Hale Trailer • Hallco Manufacturing Co. Inc. • Hammel N.A. Inc. • Handex Environmental Inc. • Harris Waste Management Group Inc. • Haul-All Equipment • Hauler Magazine • Heil Environmental Industries Led. • Helac Corp. • Hendrickson • Holtz Industries & Rayco Container Lids • HTR Inc. • Hustler Conveyor Co. • I.D. Industries • IESI Corp. • Illinois Dept. of Commerce & Community Affairs • Illinois Environmental Protection Agency • Impact Plastics Corp. • Industrial Shredding Systems • Intec Video Systems Inc. • International baler Corp. • International Truck and Engine Corp. • IPL Inc. • ISR Corp. • J & J Trailers • J.F. New & Associates Inc. • John Deere Commercial Worksite Products • John Deere Equipment Co. • Kalmar Industries Corp. • Kalyn-Siebert Inc. • Kann Manufacturing Corp. • Karl W. Schmidt & Associates Inc. • Keith Manufacturing Co. • KG Rear Vision • Kimball Midwest • Kimmel & Associates • King Midas Enterprise Inc. • Komar Industries • Komatsu America International Co. • K-PAC Equipment Co. • Kraft Power • L & M Radiator Inc. • LCE Inc. • Labrie Equipment • Landfill Service Corp. • Lang-Mekra North America LLC • Leach Co. • Les Machineries Verville Inc. • LFG&E International • Loadman On-Board Scales • Loadmaster Corp. • Logemann Brothers Co. • LVA Consulting • MAC Trailer Co. • Machinex Industries Inc. • Mack Trucks Inc. • MADVAC International • Marathon Equipment Co. • Marcel Equipment Limited • Martin’s Uniforms • Mattei/Westport • McClain E-Z Pack Inc. • McCourt Industries /Corghi • McEntee Media Corp. • McNeilus Track & Manufacturing Inc. • Mee Industries Inc. • Midwest Lube Inc. • Mohawk Industries • Morbark Inc. • MSW Management Magazine • Multi Bag Inc. • Multi-Seal Corp. • Muncie Power Products • NaturTech Composting Systems Inc. • Nedland Industries Inc. • Neuenhauser Automation Inc. • New Waste Concepts Inc. • Newmantek USA Inc. • Noble Associates • Norton Consulting LLC • O’Brian Mfg. • One Plus Corp. • Onyx North America • Otto Industries • Packer industries • PAI Industries • Pak-Mor Manufacturing • Palfionger • Paradigm Software • Par-Kan • Part Inc. • Peerless • Pemberton • Perkins Mfg. • Permco • Peterbilt Motors • Petersen Industries • Peterson Pacific • Pioneer Cover-All • PJ Co. • PlanA • Plastic Omnium Zarn • Plastic Recovery Technologies • Plastopan • Pollution Equipment News • Poly Portables • PolyJohn Enterprises • Power Transportation • Preco Inc. • PT Tech • PUBLIC WORKS Journal Corp. • RDK Truck Sales and Sales • Recycling Product News • Recycling Today Media Group • Redwood Metal Works • Reef Industries • REHIG Pacific • Republic Services Inc. • Resource Recycling • Rexious Express Blowers • RGF Environmental Group • Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ • Roto Industries • Rotochopper • Rotonics Mfg. • RPP America • Rudco Products • Ryan Incorporated Central • Safety Vision • San-I-Pak Pacific I • Schaefer Systems International • Scheer’s • Scranton manufacturing/New Way • Screen Graphics of Florida • Screen USA • SCS Engineering and SCS Field Services • Serio-us Industries • Serrot Industres • SETCO • Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes • Shred-Tech • Si/Allegheny Technology • Sierra International Machinery • Signature Sportswear • Silent Drive • So Cal Soft-Pak • Soiltec • Solid Waste & Recycling magazine • Southwestern Sales Co. • SP Industries • Specialty Transportation Services • SSI Shredding Systems • STECO • Stellar Industries • Sterling Trucks • Stertli-Koni • Stone Bennett • STS Consultants • Superior Signals • SWANA • Swaploader USA • Synergy World • Telma • Terex Crushing & Recycling • Terra Compactor Wheel • Tex-Net • The 3rd Man Cart Tipper • Tire Service Equipment • Titan Trailer Mfg. • TiTech Autosort • Toter • Trailer Transit • Trail King Industries • Trail Star • Triple Crown Products • Truck-Lite • Trucks & Parts of Tampa • TUX Route Management Systems • Ty Cushion Tire • Tymco International • U.S. Wire Tie Systems • Universal Refiner • Urban Services of America • U.S. Conveyor Technologies Mfg. • U.S. Department of Commerce • USA Corporate Promotions • USM • Van Dyk Baler/Lubo USA • Vecoplan • Vermeer Manufacturing • Vogel Lubrication • Voith Transmissions • Volvo Trucks North America • Vulcan On-Board Scales • WAM Software • Waste Age • Waste Connections • Waste Corporation of America • Waste Dynamics Northeast • Waste Energy Technology • Waste Handling Equipment News • Waste Industries • Waste Insurance Network • Waste Management • Waste News • Wasteclick-Transcomp • Wastepac • Wastequip • Wasteworks/Carolina Software • Watson & Chalin Mfg. • Wayne Engineering • Weigh-Right • WEIMA America • Wellcap Industries • West Salem Machinery • Wildcat Manufacturing • Wilkens Industries • Wilson Bonannan Padlock • Wireless Data Solutions • Wittke Waste Equipment • Wood ‘n Colors • Wray Tech Instruments • ZEP Manufacturing
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