Past, Present and Future

ISRI celebrates its history and looks forward to the next 20 years at its 2008 Convention & Exhibition.

In celebration of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI) 20th anniversary, the association’s 2008 Convention & Exposition, appropriately titled "NEXXT: ISRI’s Next Twenty Years," gives attendees the chance to experience the past, present and future of the scrap recycling industry.

The ISRI Convention & Expo returns to Las Vegas April 6-10, and the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is the setting for this year’s event.

"Las Vegas has always been a good venue for ISRI," Chuck Carr, ISRI’s vice president of member services, meetings, marketing and communications, says. "The city provides the hotel and exhibit space we need and a world of entertainment and dining choices for our attendees." He adds that Mandalay Bay is a particularly good venue in that it allows ISRI to house most of its convention attendees in the same complex as the exhibit hall.

In addition to the casino and on-site entertainment venues, the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino includes 16 restaurants, an 11-acre tropical lagoon with a river ride, five pools, a full-service luxury spa and a shopping mall, all of which attendees can enjoy during their free time, though ISRI’s programming schedule may not leave much time for that.

The conference’s theme takes attendees back in time to look at how ISRI’s members have changed the face of the industry. The conference also asks attendees to examine the present and the many challenges the scrap recycling industry faces as well as look toward the future at the issues that could confront the industry in the next two decades.

"In both the name and content, ISRI’s "NEXXT" convention pays tribute to the success of the first 20 years (note the XX in the name) and it also recognizes that continued success lies in the future—the NEXXT 20 years," Carr says

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

The show kicks off April 8 with the Chair’s Breakfast General Session, with keynote speaker Malcolm Gladwell. Gladwell has been a staff writer with The New Yorker since 1996 and was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2005.

"He and other speakers will focus on research and strategies that can help recyclers strengthen their management and business leadership, and our industry sessions will once again focus on the industry’s highest priority: safety," Carr says.

This year’s convention features more than 30 workshops and includes spotlight sessions on transportation, productivity, safety and environment programs, materials theft and more. ISRI once again presents a complete program of workshops specific to the electronics industry and for the first time offers a one-day metals identification program, Carr says.

"The metals ID program is useful to the manager who needs some training in the fundamentals of a scrap metal yard, but it will also be a program that will be made available to trade-show-only attendees," Carr says.

ISRI is also excited to introduce two new sessions this year titled "Thought Leadership" on April 9 and 10. ISRI has chosen two topics that most likely will have a major impact on the industry and that invite participation from all in attendance. The first Thought Leadership session explores the future impact of China on the scrap recycling industry. The second session looks at the recycling industry’s role in carbon reduction and also explores the latest proposals facing legislators and the challenges and opportunities for the recycling industry.

"These sessions will be no longer than the brief 75-minute workshop format and will feature industry experts who can provide foundational information," Carr says. "Then the sessions become interactive, allowing for audience members to ask questions, propose strategies and express opinions on these key issues," he adds.

MAKING THE ROUNDS

The ISRI Convention & Expo is the perfect place for attendees to exercise their networking skills, as it is one of the largest shows for the scrap recycling industry. Carr says ISRI expects attendance at this year’s show to once again approach record levels. "The exhibit hall will include 30 percent more exhibits than 2007, the previous record year," Carr says. "That strength combined with the strong scrap markets in 2007 and a terrific venue like the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino generally leads to very strong attendance at the convention."

Attendees coming from every state and from countries around the world have the opportunity to visit more than 180 exhibits showcasing the latest in equipment, technology, software and services in one of the world’s largest exhibit halls.

Attendees also have access to a variety of workshops and sessions that cover the biggest issues facing the scrap recycling industry, including safety, environmental concerns, trade, economy and community. One thing participants will find different from last year’s show is the inclusion of more interactive sessions and the use of audience polling in several workshops.

There are plenty of opportunities for attendees to mix and mingle at the show, starting with the fist-time attendee’s reception and the gala opening in the exhibit hall April 7.

On the second day, participants are invited to the Chair’s Breakfast General Session. Following breakfast, they can then spend their time visiting the exhibit hall, attending workshops and the spotlight sessions on topics such as copper, tires and rubber, aluminum and paper.

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The third day includes the President’s Breakfast: General Session on Industry Safety as well as more workshops, the first Thought Leadership session and the spotlight sessions on nickel and ferrous.

On the last day of the convention, attendees can go to the second Thought Leadership session before attending the Chair-Elect’s Luncheon General Session. After lunch, the day’s programming includes more workshops, the spotlight session on lead and zinc as well as the ISRI Leadership Elections.

On the evening of the final day of the convention, visitors are invited to a formal banquet and ball to celebrate ISRI’s 20th anniversary. This black-tie-optional gala will feature dinner, music, entertainment and a program recognizing the industry’s achievements and the individuals, families and businesses that have been a part of this success.

ISRI’s goal for its conventions is to provide members of the industry with the year’s best opportunity to network with colleagues, customers and vendors; to display the newest and best of equipment, services and technology; and to provide the strongest professional development experience available to owners, CEOs, managers and employees of companies affiliated with scrap recycling, Carr says.

"ISRI works hard to continuously improve the annual convention to meet the needs and challenges of the industry," Carr says. "The 2008 ISRI Convention and Exposition is sure to be the biggest and best ever."

The author is assistant editor of Recycling Today and can be contacted at kmorris@gie.net.  

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February 2008
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