Global economic predictions have included gloomy scenarios, but positive indications are also beginning to appear. Recyclers and suppliers will soon have several opportunities to convene and compare notes.

Industry professionals can take comfort in the fact that the spring will usher in another round of gatherings throughout the globe, in the form of conventions, trade shows and exhibitions. Several upcoming events are promising to help build sales opportunities, strengthen and establish business connections, promote the latest innovations, provide updates on the ever-volatile commodities markets and also deliver a good dose of fun.

Orlando Hosts ISRI in April
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI) has described its 2013 Convention and Exposition, set for 9-13 April in Orlando, Fla., as “the largest ISRI Convention and Exposition ever.” The exhibit area kicks off with an evening ribbon-cutting ceremony and Gala Opening set for April 10 that will be the first of several opportunities for scrap recyclers to visit exhibitors and network with colleagues.

The bulk of the convention’s programming (as well as most of the exhibit hall hours) occur Thursday, April 11, and Friday, April 12. Then, on the morning of Saturday, April 13, Tom Brokaw, former “NBC Nightly News” anchor and managing editor, will step to the podium during the Chair-Elect’s Breakfast event to recount his career in the network news industry.

Other highlighted ISRI speakers will include former Gov. Ed Rendell (D-Pa.) and former Gov. Haley Barbour (R-Miss.), who will offer their perspectives on the current political climate on Thursday, April 11.

In keeping with tradition, the ISRI convention also will offer considerable programming of direct interest to processors and traders of scrap commodities. Electronics recycling is the focus of attention Wednesday, April 10, with Electronics Recycling Workshops that run all day. Also on the agenda are programs covering a wider variety of educational topics, including safety, processing techniques, emerging markets and transportation. When the final program is in place, ISRI says it expects to host some 100 educational sessions.

This year’s roster of exhibitors promises to be just as comprehensive, as ISRI is taking advantage of its location at the Orange County Convention Center to make available a record amount of floor space. ISRI says it is expecting more than 300 exhibiting companies in 2013, and buyers and sellers of equipment and commodities will have plenty of chances to interact in the exhibit hall and throughout the convention center.

The networking comes to a festive conclusion Saturday night with the Grand Closing Event, which takes place at the Universal Studios exhibit, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.” ISRI promises unlimited access to what it bills as “the incredible rides and attractions in the exhibit.” Dinner and a dessert reception are also part of the event. Additional conference information is available at www.isriconvention.org/registration.html.

WasteExpo Heads to New Orleans
WasteExpo bills itself as “North America’s largest event serving both the private and public sectors of the solid waste and recycling industry.” This year’s event will take place 20-23 May at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans and is expected to include more than 550 exhibitors and more than 12,000 participants. Organizers say the event is designed to help participants “save money, make money and stay safe and compliant.”

The conference portion of Waste-Expo will run through May 22. The program offers tracks designed to cover the entire spectrum of the solid waste, recycling and organics industry.

Organics and composting is a new track in 2013 and is part of a growth initiative of show organizer Penton Media’s Waste Industry Group.

“From waste handlers and municipalities to business owners and environmentalists, the effective management of organic waste is rapidly becoming a major industrial issue,” says Waste Age/waste360.com content director and editor Steven Averett. “The ongoing debate over how best to handle this material, be it through composting, anaerobic digestion or disposal in gas-to-energy landfills, will be a defining issue for the industry in the coming years.”

Waste Industry Group managing director Rita Ugianskis adds, “Now solid waste and organics professionals can gain the high-level education, training, equipment and product solutions and networking access they need across our entire service portfolio, particularly at WasteExpo, which, beginning at our 2013 show in New Orleans, promises to become a one-stop event for the organics industry, too.” Additional details are available at www.wasteexpo.com.

BIR Meets in Shanghai
Shanghai, a city of contrasts between new and old, East and West, will host the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) 2013 World Recycling Convention & Exposition 26-29 May.

Meetings and the exhibit hall area will be headquartered at the Pudong Shangri-La Hotel in East Shanghai, a five-star business hotel located on the famous Huangpu River in Shanghai’s Lujiazui financial district.

Francis Veys, director general of the BIR, says that in recent years, its World Convention attendance has steadily increased beyond the 1,000 delegate mark, making this event among the most international of business forums for the recycling industry. The association expects to reach that level yet again in Shanghai. In addition to delegates, Veys notes, the event will also include 40 exhibition stands.

Plenary sessions, including the traditional divisional meetings, run Monday through Wednesday 27-29 May. Veys says attendees can expect a variety of topics to be covered during these sessions. “The various commodity divisions meetings will definitely address the future developments in the market for recycled materials,” notes Veys.

The association has secured Chandran Nair, founder and chief executive officer of Asia’s Global Institute for Tomorrow (GIFT), as the Keynote Session speaker, set for Tuesday.

Veys points to several sessions in particular he believes likely to be especially popular with attendees. “As usual the Nonferrous and Ferrous Division meetings as well as the International Trade Council meeting will be very well attended,” Veys says. “We expect a large interest from our participants for the AQSIQ and CCIC issues.” AQSIQ is China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, established in 2001, and CCIC is China’s national inspection agency.

Monday evening brings the traditional Welcome Evening event, an entertaining reception that is always a favorite with attendees, says Veys. “We can already inform you that the party will be sponsored by Sigma Group, a company that has been affiliated to BIR since the 1980s,” says Veys, referring to the aluminium company based in Shanghai. The venue for this event is yet to be announced, but it is traditionally held in a picturesque, landmark setting in the host city.

With all of these programs on offer, those who plan to visit Shanghai for the BIR World Recycling Convention and Exhibition are sure to experience exceptional networking and business development opportunities. More information is at www.bir.org.