Upbeat market forecasts and new developments in the industry should lead to a strong spring convention season, with plenty of networking opportunities at the shows planned for this year. Three of the highly-attended events include ISRI’s 2012 convention, IFAT Entsorga and BIR’s 2012 World Recycling Convention.
ISRI meets in Vegas
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Washington, D.C., is encouraging members to “Be More” this year. That’s the theme for ISRI’s 2012 Convention and Exposition, scheduled for 15-19 April at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas.
“ISRI’s workshops and general sessions are designed to help you ‘Be More’ informed,” says Chuck Carr, ISRI vice president of member services. “The equipment and services provided by ISRI’s exhibitors help you ‘Be More’ efficient and, therefore, ‘Be More’ profitable.” And, he adds, “This year’s programs from opening night to final night are designed to help you ‘Be More’ entertained.”
Las Vegas is also one of attendees’ favorite venues, Carr notes. Some 5,000 scrap recycling industry professionals are expected to attend.
The sold-out exposition hall spans more than 8 acres and is expected to feature more than 300 companies. “The show is the largest in ISRI history both in size and in number of exhibitors,” Carr says. Companies represented include equipment suppliers, scrap processing firms, brokers, mills, consumers and safety professionals.
The exhibit hall opens Monday evening with a gala reception, which Carr calls “the year’s biggest party in the scrap recycling industry.” That’s just the first of a series of high points. “ISRI is offering more Toolbox Talks, workshops, spotlights and general sessions than ever before,” notes Carr. While Monday’s schedule includes workshops on electronics recycling, educational programming becomes more diverse Tuesday with “The Chair’s General Session” at 8 a.m. Michael Maslansky, CEO of Maslansky Luntz & Partners and author of The Language of Trust: Selling Ideas in a World of Skeptics is the featured speaker.
Tuesday’s programming also features sessions on electronics, plastics, ferrous, paper, aluminium and tyres/rubber as well as an exhibit hall luncheon. ISRI says its commodity spotlight programs have become world famous for providing insights into the factors that will impact commodity markets in the short and long term.
Educational programs on Wednesday begin with “Spotlight on the Economy,” a popular draw with attendees, ISRI says. A number of workshops are offered throughout the day, as are spotlights on copper and lead/zinc/tin. Lunch is served in the exhibit hall, and the evening concludes with the Consumers Night Reception.
On Thursday morning, former President George W. Bush addresses attendees during “The Chair-Elect’s General Session,” sponsored by Caterpillar Inc. The day’s programming also includes ISRI officer and board elections and the grand closing event.
More convention information is available at www.isriconvention.org.
IFAT Entsorga Munich
One of the largest industry shows worldwide, IFAT Entsorga 2012 takes place from 7-11 May in Munich, Germany, at the New Munich Trade Fair Center. Organised by Messe München International, the show is considered the largest event focusing on water, sewage, waste and raw materials management, and draws 110,000 visitors from 185 countries.
On all five days of the fair, forum halls will feature country- and theme-specific programs and presentations. The 215,000 square metres of fully booked exhibition space includes indoor and outdoor areas and sets a new size record, Messe München says. The number of exhibiting companies is expected to surpass the 2,730 present in 2010 at IFAT’s previous show.
Eugen Egetenmeir, managing director of Messe München International, hopes attendees will seize the chance to learn about the new technologies on display. “As IFAT Entsorga is the world’s largest and most important exhibition for the environmental industry and showcases the industry’s entire range of products, this exhibition definitely is the platform to do so,” he continues. “It offers a number of opportunities to network at an international level.”
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Attendance Climbs for REW Istanbul The 8th International Recycling, Environmental Technologies and Waste Management Trade Fair (REW) is set for 7-10 June in Istanbul, Turkey.Organised by IFO Fair Organization, the event caters to the recycling, sustainability and waste management industries. In line with Turkey’s goal to reach a $500 billion export target by 2023, REW Istanbul is designed as a gathering for major global players in recycling, environmental technologies and green energy. The meeting is also expected to offer investment opportunities in the areas of solid waste, waste water, waste gas and green energy. Last year IFO Fair Organization partnered with the London-based trade show organiser Tarsus Group to promote REW Istanbul abroad. As a result, participation by foreign exhibitors has increased by 50%, IFO says. This year some 350 exhibitors from 30 countries are expected. For details, visit www.ifo.com.tr. |
A wide range of educational programming also comprises IFAT Entsorga. New this year is the GeoBioEnergy Conference which takes place 9-10 May. The first day covers geothermal power, while the second covers the production of biogas from biogenic waste and the efficient use of waste wood for energy.
Another new program is “Mega Cities – Mega Chances,” offered Monday afternoon. This event covers the opportunities and challenges created by mega-cities. “Right now, a large portion of the world’s population lives in one of more than 30 mega-cities,” Egetenmeir comments. “By 2015, this figure is expected to increase to 60 cities with more than 600 million people.” The presentation includes four theme blocks, with speakers exploring the topic of global urbanization, Egetenmeir says.
IFAT also includes a number of special exhibitions, open throughout the show. “Water is Future” provides an extensive overview of the threats facing water supplies and ways of protecting this vital resource. And “Treasure Trove Cell Phone” examines the cell phone, the raw materials contained within and recovery processes.
Also occurring during the show is the 16th International Symposium on Water, Wastewater, Solid Waste and Energy, a four-day program with sessions on sustainable water and waste management. More information is at http://www.ifat.de/en/Home.
BIR Convenes in Rome
The Bureau of International Recycling 2012 World Recycling Convention & Exposition will be held 29 May-1 June in Rome, at the Rome Cavalieri Hotel. Attendees are expected from about 55 of the 70 countries BIR represents.
Elisabeth Christ, BIR communications director, says the venue was chosen because the association’s Italian business people represent one of the strongest national groups within BIR.
“BIR has met several times in Italy already, and each time excellent attendance numbers confirmed the interest of our members in this convention venue,” Christ said. “Incidentally,” she adds, “Rome is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, which obviously is another good reason to be there.” Christ says attendees can expect excellent networking opportunities as well as first-hand information on commodity markets, trends and legislation affecting the recycling industry.
Various BIR committee meetings are planned on the first day of the conference. On Wednesday, plenary sessions include programs on tyres, nonferrous metals and stainless steel/special alloys. There will also be a workshop on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).
Later that evening is the BIR Welcome Evening, held at the Villa Miani, a historic site overlooking St. Peter’s Basilica. The event, within walking distance of the hotel, features food, drinks and entertainment, along with networking opportunities.
On Thursday, program highlights include an international trade council with a focus on theft and fraud, as well as a special keynote session, which Christ says may feature business management-themed information.
After lunch, programs focus on ferrous and shredder committee findings. Friday sessions address paper, plastics and textiles and the work of the International Environment Council.
Christ expects attendance of well over 1,000 and about 35 exhibiting companies. The exhibition and hospitality area will be open to participants and guests on from Wednesday morning until Friday afternoon. BIR also has arranged sightseeing tours that can be booked through EGA Professional Congress Organisers. Those seeking more information can visit www.bir.org/conventionwebsite/rome2012/home/.
The authors can be reached at dtoto@gie.net and lmckenna@gie.net.