ISRI releases programming details for 2015 convention

The Washington, D.C.-based Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) has released additional details on the programming for its 2015 convention and exposition, which is April 21-25 in Vancouver. In addition to the recycling and commodity focused workshops, this year’s convention will feature sessions on sales, human resources and management and leadership.

“Effective human resources, sales and management are all important aspects of successfully operating a recycling business,” says Chuck Carr, vice president of member services for ISRI. “While the same superior programming offered in the past will still be available, this year’s convention will also include new tracks with these professions in mind. There will truly be something for everyone in Vancouver.”

Attendees of the 2015 ISRI Convention & Exposition will join workshops, sessions and interactive panels that examine today’s biggest issues. Workshops are designed to help companies operate smarter, safer and more profitable businesses, ISRI says.

The three days of workshop programming also include commodity-specific “spotlights” that feature analysts providing updates on local and global commodity markets. New to the structure this year is that all workshops for each individual commodity are scheduled on a single day. This allows attendees usually interested in one particular commodity to explore opportunities in handling other commodities. It also is designed to provide more time to spend on the exhibit floor, network and engage in other business activities, the association says.

Highlights this year, according to ISRI, include:

• Thursday, April 23, 2015
Building a Better Manager: The Top 5 Ways to Improve Your Leadership Skills – In this workshop, attendees can learn how to be a better manager by focusing on the key aspects of leading a team.

What Is Your Company Worth Today? – In the ever changing scrap industry, company valuations can change substantially from year to year. This session will focus on current scrap company valuations and how they compare with historical trends. It also will explore the current merger and acquisitions market and real-world transaction structures.

Buying Military Scrap – The U.S. government dispenses with millions of tons of scrap material every year. This material is often sold at auction and can provide a great commodity stream for those recyclers interested in participating in the auctions. But to the uninitiated, the auction process can be intimidating. This workshop includes experts who discuss the process, how to participate and why you should consider making this a part of your procurement process.

• Friday, April 24, 2015
International Trade 101: How to Protect the Value of Your Scrap – This panel of experts will discuss hot issues in international trade that could limit the value of your commodity shipments. Key topics include the conclusions of ISRI Suspected Cargo Theft Survey Report that addresses recent and ongoing cargo thefts in certain Chinese ports, the top 10 common sense practices for traders and exporters and how to insure and contractually protect shipments.

The Changing Face of Recycling and the Role of MRFs in Today's Marketplace –Material recovery facilities (MRFs) have evolved from small, one-conveyor systems to multiconveyor systems recovering dozens of separate materials. Attendees of this workshop can learn how the MRF has not only changed the way material is recovered but the types of materials that are being collected today and in the future.

The Scrap Whisperer –This workshop is designed to prove how high-level listening and questioning skills will increase communication in your company, shorten the sales cycle for the sales team and help management develop better relationships with their teams.

• Saturday, April 25, 2015
Human Resource 101: Understanding Your Role as a Human Resources Professional – This workshop explains what human resources professionals do and where they can turn for resourcse to help them do their job.

Using the Sales Trifecta to Increase Your Customer Base – Understanding sales techniques and the language of sales is key to maximizing profits. Topics include prospecting, warm calling and networking as the three most important components in obtaining new business and the significance of each component as it pertains to buying and selling materials.

FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, FSLA: Understanding the Alphabet Soup of HR Regulations – The number of regulations that HR professionals must know and understand can be dizzying. Keeping a company in compliance and understanding the role these and other regulations play in the operation of a scrap yard is of paramount importance to keep a company on the right side of the law.

More detailed information on programming for the 2015 ISRI Convention & Exposition, including the full schedule and registration information, is available at www.isriconvention.org.