Culture of Connection

As regular and perspective attendees have likely noticed by now, Recycling Today Events has moved the annual Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show (PRC) from its typical date in late spring to the fall in 2011. The move was at the urging of many regular attendees, who expressed the need for a fall conference and a break from the many events the spring offers. The move also enabled the event's planners to partner with the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Paper Stock Industries (PSI) national chapter, which commonly met in the fall.

While the timing of the conference has changed, the event still promises the same quality programming and networking opportunities.
 

On the Program
The 2011 Paper Recycling Conference will offer two programming tracks Oct. 23-25 at the Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, Chicago. The PSI track features programming of interest to current PSI members as well as to potential members, while the main track offers a variety of workshops and educational sessions of interest to professionals in the paper recycling industry and to those handling plastics and electronics as well as all aspects of collection.

"The Paper Recycling Conference covers all aspects of the business—residential and commercial material, paper and plastics, collection and processing, end markets and industry trends," says Peter Wang, CEO of America Chung Nam, based in Los Angeles. "We attend and sponsor the event because it's been so productive for our team over many years," he adds.

The event begins Sunday, Oct. 23, with a number of workshops that appeal to companies that handle paper as well as plastics and electronics. From 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. "Keeping Up with Resins," brings together a consumer of scrap plastics, a broker/exporter and a scrap processor, who discuss the demands required to grow their businesses. Dan Sandoval of the Recycling Today Media Group moderates this panel, which includes Brian Coll of Coll Materials, Lee Cornell of Firstar Fiber and Wade Schuetzeberg of America Chung Nam.

"I've learned more about plastics recycling by attending the Paper Recycling Conference than from other events dedicated to the topic," says Valerie Androutsopoulos, co-owner of Vangel Paper, Baltimore. "While the program focuses on recovered paper, it also offers information on electronics and plastics recycling, making it ideal for companies that handle a variety of materials."

Also scheduled from 2:30 to 3:30 is "The Risks and Rewards of Electronic Scrap." DeAnne Toto of the Recycling Today Media Group moderates a panel that includes Mark Shikles of Windfield Alloy, Joe Clayton of Synergy Recycling and Mark Robards of ECS Refining. The panelists offer their thoughts on how traditional paper recycling companies can best address the opportunities that obsolete electronics offer, whether they decide to add processing capabilities to their operationd or to partner with established electronics recyclers.

Sunday's sessions conclude with "Paying the Freight," from 4 to 5 p.m., which looks at how companies can effectively use transportation to control their costs. Kristin Smith of the Recycling Today Media Group moderates a panel that includes Bruce O'Neill of Jupiter Transport, Tim Childs of Maersk and Baird Spicuzza of Norfolk Southern Corp.

Educational programming Monday, Oct. 24, begins at 8:30 a.m. with a roundtable discussion titled "The Processors' Viewpoint," in which a panel of paper recyclers discusses the key issues driving the paper stock industry. James R. Keefe of Recycling Today Media Group and Kevin Duncombe of Western Pacific Pulp & Paper moderate this session, which features Vic Rice of Cellmark Recycling, Al Metauro of Cascades Recovery and Pat DeRueda of WM Recycle America. From 1 to 2:30 p.m.

"The Trading Triangle" looks at the factors paper recyclers may want to consider when exporting material. Bill Moore of Moore & Associates moderates a panel featuring John Daniel of Federal International, Mike Belus of GP Harmon Recycling, Patty Norris of International Forest Products and Vivian Ou, Ralison International/Lee & Man.

From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., "Smooth Operations" looks at steps recyclers and equipment vendors can take to meet shifting quality demands. Brian Taylor of Recycling Today Media Group moderates a panel that includes Jon Gold of The Newark Group, Cory Tomczyk of IROW.

The PSI Track for Oct. 24 includes "Membership & Guidelines Meeting" from 10:30 a.m. to noon, in which Sandy Rosen of Great Lakes Recycling reviews paper stock specifications. From 3 to 4 p.m., "Extended Producer Responsibility & Government Affairs" summarizes key issues affecting the global packaging industry and looks at trends such as extended producer responsibility, new packaging initiatives and other factors affecting brand owners and retailers. Joel Litman of Texas Recycling and Surplus moderates a panel that includes Victor Bell of Enviro Pac and Mike Pope of Sonoco.

Attendees should keep in mind that the educational program for Tuesday, Oct. 25, runs until the end of the business day rather than concluding in the late morning as it has at past Paper Recycling Conferences. The sessions begin with a second roundtable discussion titled "The Mill Viewpoint" from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Paper mill executives, including Jim Porter of RockTenn, discuss ways in which paper stock consumers are changing to grow their businesses. Keefe and Duncombe reprise their moderating roles in the previous roundtable discussion.

From 1 to 2:30 p.m., "Game Changers" addresses the changing quality specifications, shifting end markets and the growth (or decline) of some grades. Panelists include Beth Royse of GreenFiber, Alan Box of Pactiv Food Service/Food Packaging and Judy Haney of Boise Inc.

Programming concludes with the session "South of the Border" from 3 to 4 p.m. Moderator and speaker Valerie Roquefort of K-C International/Ekman Recycling and Brian Reese of Canusa Hershman look at the Latin American market and the opportunities it presents to recyclers.

The PSI track for Oct. 25 features the group's Chapter Meeting from 10:30 a.m. to noon, which includes the election of new officers.
 

Time for Networking
In addition to these sessions, the Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show offers many opportunities for attendees to network with one another as well as with suppliers to the industry during scheduled breaks, meals and a welcome reception.The welcome reception is Sunday, Oct. 23, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

The exhibit hall also hosts a continental breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Monday, lunch from noon to 1 p.m. and networking breaks from 10 to 10:30 a.m., 2:30 to 3 p.m. and 4 to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday also begins with an exhibit hall continental breakfast from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Breaks are scheduled for 10 to 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 to 3 p.m. Lunch is served in the exhibit hall from noon to 1.

These meals and breaks provide attendees with the opportunity to meet the suppliers, consumers, equipment vendors, state and local recycling officials and other professionals affiliated with the recovered fiber industry. The conference offers a forum in which attendees can network with industry colleagues, share their insights and ideas and discuss growth strategies to be successful in their businesses.

"Members of our City Carton Recycling team attend the PRC each year," Andy Ockenfels, president of City Carton Recycling, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, says. "The conference provides us with good networking opportunities within the industry and an educational format beneficial to our company growth."
 

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