Gulf Coast Events Face Choices

Planners for several events at which recyclers and secondary commodity traders gather may need to formulate a second set of plans because of hurricane damage to Gulf Coast convention destinations.

In one case, planners for the 20^th International Aluminium Conference, hosted by Metal Bulletin later this month, have already switched the conference’s venue from a hotel in New Orleans to the Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta. Information posted on Metal Bulletin’s Web site urges attendees to contact the publishing company’s conference division at conferences@metalbulletin.com for more information.

Organizers of WasteExpo, scheduled to take place April 24-27, 2006, in New Orleans, have contacted prior exhibitors to let them know that “no decision, one way or the other, has been made regarding our New Orleans venue.”

The note from show director Rita Ugianskis-Fishman adds, “We are currently collecting options should we need to make a change, but at this time it is simply too early to make this decision. It will take some time before we are able to receive an assessment of the damage and the estimates on a citywide clean up.

We will provide you with updates as they become available to us.”

Earlier in 2006, the U.S. Composting Council’s 14^th Annual Conference is scheduled for Jan. 22-25 in New Orleans. A notice at the group’s Web site states, “Due to the terrible situation in New Orleans, the USCC is exploring other location options for holding the Conference. The USCC will use all means available to get this information out to you in a timely manner.”

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) held its 2005 Convention in New Orleans earlier this year, and is also scheduled to return to New Orleans in 2007. A notice from ISRI chair Joel Denbo sent to that group’s members states, “Many of you know that we are scheduled to return to New Orleans in 2007 and we sincerely hope we can.”

Show planners of all conferences asked their attendees and trade group members to consider the needs and concerns of the people of the affected region and to recall the hospitality extended by Gulf Coast host cities at past events.