ISRI Announces 2008 Convention Headliners

Best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell will serve as the keynote speaker for the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI) 2008 Convention & Exhibition, which will be at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Convention Center in Las Vegas, April 6-10. Gladwell is just one of a number of general session speakers who offer their insight into workplace safety, productivity and the business decisions recyclers commonly face.

Gladwell, who speaks at the Chair’s Breakfast General session Tuesday, April 8, focuses on how and why change happens in organizations and how organizations can benefit from and foster positive changes. Gladwell, currently a staff writer for The New Yorker, will also discuss how to master snap judgments – the instant decisions we make unconsciously and instinctively – as part of successful decision-making.

Marcus Buckingham, author of the three best-selling books, discusses his research into employee productivity and the practices of leading and managing organizations during the Chair-Elect’s Luncheon April 10. Buckingham shares insights he’s gained from his 17 years with The Gallup Organization. He also shares his perspectives on how to apply one’s strengths for maximum success in work and life.

Safety expert Charlie Morecraft speaks at the President’s Breakfast April 9, sharing the lessons he learned first-hand after being critically injured in an oil refinery explosion.  Morecraft’s presentation expands on his presentation at the 2005 ISRI Operations Forum, which sparked a renewed interest in workplace safety.

Among other convention program highlights are the popular commodity spotlights. To accommodate the increasing audiences at these sessions, this year’s copper, aluminum, nickel/stainless and ferrous spotlights will be held in the same ballroom as the general sessions. 

In addition to these sessions, the 2008 exposition boasts an exhibition hall with 44,345 square feet of equipment space (20 percent larger than in 2007) and 285 exhibitor booths (12 percent more than last year).  A record 204 exhibitors will showcase their products and services, a growth of 14 percent, according to ISRI.

As of March 22, overall registration for the event stood at 4,075 attendees, compared to a historic high of 4,285 in 2006. ISRI estimates that up to 5,000 people will attend the 2008 ISRI Convention & Exposition. More information is available at www.isriconvention.org.