2009 ReMA Convention Preview

Print This Article

Print This Article

January/Febraury 2009

Challenges, Opportunities, Change.

2009 ReMA Convention Preview

Is your crystal ball a little cloudy these days? ReMA's 2009 convention offers a vision of success—and a welcome opportunity for some fun—amidst today's trying markets.

We've all heard the saying that the only constant is change, and that's certainly true in the scrap recycling industry. Change brings its share of challenges, but change also offers opportunities. In the past few months, the scrap industry's challenges have included precipitous price declines, trading tribulations, and an unprecedented credit crunch. Smart scrap companies see the silver lining in these dark clouds, however, capitalizing on the tough times to make internal improvements, claim market share, and position themselves for future growth.

One of the best ways to understand the dramatic market changes—and potentially profit from them—is to attend ReMA's 2009 convention and exposition. This year, ReMA returns to Las Vegas April 26-30, setting up shop for the third time at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, one of the premier properties on the famed Vegas Strip.

ISRI chose "Change" as this year's convention theme to recognize the turbulent state of the market and remind attendees of the opportunities that exist at both the top and the bottom of the business cycle. Only at ReMA's annual show can scrap buyers and sellers get the information—and the networking opportunities—they need to succeed in the constantly changing world of recycling. And that's not even counting the benefits of exploring ReMA's expo, a one-stop-shop of recycling-related equipment, products, services, and technology—and the largest recycling show of its kind in the world.

In good times and bad, ReMA's convention is the must-attend event for scrap professionals—this year more than ever, given the market dynamics. Here's a look at some notable features of ReMA 2009.

Of Presidents and Programs
Interesting, exciting, educational, invaluable, fun, memorable…to this list of adjectives used to describe the ReMA convention, add presidential. Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States, will be the event's distinguished speaker. Clinton, a Rhodes scholar and Yale-educated lawyer, began his political career in his home state of Arkansas, where he served as attorney general and governor. In 1992, he defeated Republican incumbent President George H.W. Bush and billionaire Ross Perot in a closely contested race to win the presidency. Clinton won re-election in 1996, becoming the first Democratic president to win a second term since Franklin D. Roosevelt.

During the Clinton administration, the United States "enjoyed more peace and economic well-being than at any [other] time in its history," according to a White House biography. Among his accomplishments, Clinton led the country to the lowest unemployment rate in modern times, the lowest inflation rate in 30 years, the highest home ownership level in the country's history, lower crime rates in many parts of the country, and reduced welfare rolls. He also displayed remarkable fiscal prowess, proposing the first balanced budget in decades and achieving a budget surplus.

After leaving the White House in 2000, Clinton founded the William J. Clinton Foundation, which focuses on worldwide issues that demand urgent action, solutions, and measurable results, such as global climate change, HIV/AIDS in the developing world, childhood obesity and economic opportunity in the United States, and economic development in Africa and Latin America.

President Clinton is an undeniably tough act to match, but Michael Josephson welcomes that challenge in his role as the ReMA convention's keynote speaker. Josephson is president and founder of the Josephson Institute (Los Angeles), which seeks to improve the ethical quality of society by changing personal and organizational decision-making and behavior. He is a well-known speaker on the practical application of ethics in business, law enforcement, government, and sports, as well as ethics education for youth. In 1995, Josephson received the America's Award from President Ronald Reagan for his accomplishments in character education and ethics. A popular commentator and author, he speaks to listeners daily through his award-winning radio spots syndicated across the globe. After his ReMA address, he will lead a workshop on ethics in business that's sure to be thought-provoking.

Josephson's ethics workshop is just one of more than three dozen educational programs at this year's ReMA convention. In addition to topics such as safety, international trade, transportation, finance, and management, ReMA is offering its broadest slate of commodity spotlights ever. In these troubled economic times, it's more essential than ever to stay on top of market trends. ReMA's eight spotlights provide expert commentary on the key commodity markets of aluminum, copper, ferrous, nickel/stainless, paper, plastics, electronics, and tires/rubber. In a related vein—and as an added benefit—ISRI also is offering a spotlight on the economy, which will put the latest domestic and global economic conditions in perspective. The take-home intelligence you gain in these spotlight sessions could yield manifold savings in your operations, more than recouping your investment of time and money to attend the convention.

ISRI also plans to hold its popular Tire Recycling Business Summit at this year's convention to attract more rubber recyclers to the show and achieve synergies between the two events. The summit, previously held in Chicago in the fall, will be a separately charged event within the ReMA convention, offering a specialized schedule of six rubber-focused workshops April 29-30. Likely workshop topics include fire safety, trends in shredder design, and developments in the synthetic turf market. The ReMA summit is the only rubber recycling event designed by tire processors for tire processors, which makes it the essential event for rubber recycling professionals and those interested in entering the niche.

Other ReMA commodity tracks focus on electronics and plastics. In addition to the electronics spotlight noted above, the electronics recycling track will offer workshops—some with a separate registration fee—on current topics in this growing market niche. The plastics track will most likely include two related workshops that will provide a primer on plastics recycling and guidance on identifying different grades of plastic polymers.

What Else Is New?
Beyond the many innovative program offerings, the ReMA 2009 convention will boast new digs for its scrap recycling exposition. Unprecedented demand for exhibition space compelled ReMA to move its expo from its previous location in the Mandalay Bay convention center to the larger space next door. This new set of halls—which totals 320,000 square feet, compared with 210,000 square feet last year—will give exhibitors and attendees more elbow room and allow ReMA to offer more booths and equipment space. Already, 219 exhibitors have claimed 317 booth spaces in the hall—that's 30 more booths than last year's total, and counting. In addition, vendors have reserved more than 62,000 square feet for equipment displays—18,000 square feet more than last year—with more to come.

In another ReMA convention first, the Recycling Research Foundation—ReMA's research and education arm—will hold a silent auction to raise funds for its work. RRF conducts industry research and provides scholarships to the children of workers associated with the scrap recycling industry. Traditionally, RRF has held a fundraising golf tournament in conjunction with the ReMA convention, but its board members decided to try something new this year—the charitable auction. On the auction block, look for books and collectibles, artwork, event tickets, trips, gift certificates, equipment, unique opportunities, and more. RRF continues to seek donors of auction items. For more information, contact Tom Crane, 202/662-8536 or tomcrane@isri.org.

Just the Facts
Registration: The 2009 ReMA convention registration fee for ReMA members and their guests is $700 each through Feb. 18, $800 each Feb. 19-March 25, and $900 each after that date. The nonmember registration fee is $1,050 a person through Feb. 18, $1,150 a person Feb. 19-March 25, and $1,250 after that date. Tickets for the trade show only (April 28-29) are $400 through Feb. 18, $450 Feb. 19-March 25, and $500 afterward.

The easiest way to register is online at www.isriconvention.org, but you also can register by mail or by fax. To register by mail, fill out a registration form (available online or in the mailed ReMA convention brochure) and send it with full payment or credit card information to ReMA Convention, 1615 L St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036-5610. To register by fax, send your completed registration form with credit card payment information to 202/624-9257. ReMA plans to send confirmations within two to four weeks of receipt of properly completed registrations. Contact ReMA if you do not receive a confirmation in that period.

Please note: ReMA will not process any registration not accompanied by payment in full or the required credit card information. All forms received by ReMA after March 25 will be processed as on-site registrations.

Lodging: The Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, ReMA's official 2009 convention property, boasts two enticing hotel choices on its expansive grounds—the towers and THEhotel. Both hotels are centrally located off the casino and a short walk to the Mandalay Bay convention center. The towers' 500-square-foot rooms include luxury beds, dual closets, floor-to-ceiling windows, improved lighting, flat-panel TVs (even in the bathroom), an iPod-compatible alarm clock radio, and more. The all-suites THEhotel property, which offers "a new model of understated luxury," entices with even more amenities, including rooms that measure at least 725 square feet. Visit www.mandalaybay.com to review floor plans, photos, and additional features of the various rooms.

The ReMA rate for tower rooms is $239 single or double a night, plus tax, and for THEhotel rooms is $269 single or double a night, plus tax. Secure those rates before the March 26 cutoff date by calling the hotel directly at 877/632-7000 (mention the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries room block) or signing up online at www.isriconvention.org/hotels.

For the latest schedule information, and other exciting convention news, visit www.isriconvention.org.

Print This Article

Print This Article

January/Febraury 2009

Challenges, Opportunities, Change.

2009 ReMA Convention Preview

Is your crystal ball a little cloudy these days? ReMA's 2009 convention offers a vision of success—and a welcome opportunity for some fun—amidst today's trying markets.

We've all heard the saying that the only constant is change, and that's certainly true in the scrap recycling industry. Change brings its share of challenges, but change also offers opportunities. In the past few months, the scrap industry's challenges have included precipitous price declines, trading tribulations, and an unprecedented credit crunch. Smart scrap companies see the silver lining in these dark clouds, however, capitalizing on the tough times to make internal improvements, claim market share, and position themselves for future growth.

One of the best ways to understand the dramatic market changes—and potentially profit from them—is to attend ReMA's 2009 convention and exposition. This year, ReMA returns to Las Vegas April 26-30, setting up shop for the third time at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, one of the premier properties on the famed Vegas Strip.

ISRI chose "Change" as this year's convention theme to recognize the turbulent state of the market and remind attendees of the opportunities that exist at both the top and the bottom of the business cycle. Only at ReMA's annual show can scrap buyers and sellers get the information—and the networking opportunities—they need to succeed in the constantly changing world of recycling. And that's not even counting the benefits of exploring ReMA's expo, a one-stop-shop of recycling-related equipment, products, services, and technology—and the largest recycling show of its kind in the world.

In good times and bad, ReMA's convention is the must-attend event for scrap professionals—this year more than ever, given the market dynamics. Here's a look at some notable features of ReMA 2009.

Of Presidents and Programs
Interesting, exciting, educational, invaluable, fun, memorable…to this list of adjectives used to describe the ReMA convention, add presidential. Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States, will be the event's distinguished speaker. Clinton, a Rhodes scholar and Yale-educated lawyer, began his political career in his home state of Arkansas, where he served as attorney general and governor. In 1992, he defeated Republican incumbent President George H.W. Bush and billionaire Ross Perot in a closely contested race to win the presidency. Clinton won re-election in 1996, becoming the first Democratic president to win a second term since Franklin D. Roosevelt.

During the Clinton administration, the United States "enjoyed more peace and economic well-being than at any [other] time in its history," according to a White House biography. Among his accomplishments, Clinton led the country to the lowest unemployment rate in modern times, the lowest inflation rate in 30 years, the highest home ownership level in the country's history, lower crime rates in many parts of the country, and reduced welfare rolls. He also displayed remarkable fiscal prowess, proposing the first balanced budget in decades and achieving a budget surplus.

After leaving the White House in 2000, Clinton founded the William J. Clinton Foundation, which focuses on worldwide issues that demand urgent action, solutions, and measurable results, such as global climate change, HIV/AIDS in the developing world, childhood obesity and economic opportunity in the United States, and economic development in Africa and Latin America.

President Clinton is an undeniably tough act to match, but Michael Josephson welcomes that challenge in his role as the ReMA convention's keynote speaker. Josephson is president and founder of the Josephson Institute (Los Angeles), which seeks to improve the ethical quality of society by changing personal and organizational decision-making and behavior. He is a well-known speaker on the practical application of ethics in business, law enforcement, government, and sports, as well as ethics education for youth. In 1995, Josephson received the America's Award from President Ronald Reagan for his accomplishments in character education and ethics. A popular commentator and author, he speaks to listeners daily through his award-winning radio spots syndicated across the globe. After his ReMA address, he will lead a workshop on ethics in business that's sure to be thought-provoking.

Josephson's ethics workshop is just one of more than three dozen educational programs at this year's ReMA convention. In addition to topics such as safety, international trade, transportation, finance, and management, ReMA is offering its broadest slate of commodity spotlights ever. In these troubled economic times, it's more essential than ever to stay on top of market trends. ReMA's eight spotlights provide expert commentary on the key commodity markets of aluminum, copper, ferrous, nickel/stainless, paper, plastics, electronics, and tires/rubber. In a related vein—and as an added benefit—ISRI also is offering a spotlight on the economy, which will put the latest domestic and global economic conditions in perspective. The take-home intelligence you gain in these spotlight sessions could yield manifold savings in your operations, more than recouping your investment of time and money to attend the convention.

ISRI also plans to hold its popular Tire Recycling Business Summit at this year's convention to attract more rubber recyclers to the show and achieve synergies between the two events. The summit, previously held in Chicago in the fall, will be a separately charged event within the ReMA convention, offering a specialized schedule of six rubber-focused workshops April 29-30. Likely workshop topics include fire safety, trends in shredder design, and developments in the synthetic turf market. The ReMA summit is the only rubber recycling event designed by tire processors for tire processors, which makes it the essential event for rubber recycling professionals and those interested in entering the niche.

Other ReMA commodity tracks focus on electronics and plastics. In addition to the electronics spotlight noted above, the electronics recycling track will offer workshops—some with a separate registration fee—on current topics in this growing market niche. The plastics track will most likely include two related workshops that will provide a primer on plastics recycling and guidance on identifying different grades of plastic polymers.

What Else Is New?
Beyond the many innovative program offerings, the ReMA 2009 convention will boast new digs for its scrap recycling exposition. Unprecedented demand for exhibition space compelled ReMA to move its expo from its previous location in the Mandalay Bay convention center to the larger space next door. This new set of halls—which totals 320,000 square feet, compared with 210,000 square feet last year—will give exhibitors and attendees more elbow room and allow ReMA to offer more booths and equipment space. Already, 219 exhibitors have claimed 317 booth spaces in the hall—that's 30 more booths than last year's total, and counting. In addition, vendors have reserved more than 62,000 square feet for equipment displays—18,000 square feet more than last year—with more to come.

In another ReMA convention first, the Recycling Research Foundation—ReMA's research and education arm—will hold a silent auction to raise funds for its work. RRF conducts industry research and provides scholarships to the children of workers associated with the scrap recycling industry. Traditionally, RRF has held a fundraising golf tournament in conjunction with the ReMA convention, but its board members decided to try something new this year—the charitable auction. On the auction block, look for books and collectibles, artwork, event tickets, trips, gift certificates, equipment, unique opportunities, and more. RRF continues to seek donors of auction items. For more information, contact Tom Crane, 202/662-8536 or tomcrane@isri.org.

Just the Facts
Registration: The 2009 ReMA convention registration fee for ReMA members and their guests is $700 each through Feb. 18, $800 each Feb. 19-March 25, and $900 each after that date. The nonmember registration fee is $1,050 a person through Feb. 18, $1,150 a person Feb. 19-March 25, and $1,250 after that date. Tickets for the trade show only (April 28-29) are $400 through Feb. 18, $450 Feb. 19-March 25, and $500 afterward.

The easiest way to register is online at www.isriconvention.org, but you also can register by mail or by fax. To register by mail, fill out a registration form (available online or in the mailed ReMA convention brochure) and send it with full payment or credit card information to ReMA Convention, 1615 L St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036-5610. To register by fax, send your completed registration form with credit card payment information to 202/624-9257. ReMA plans to send confirmations within two to four weeks of receipt of properly completed registrations. Contact ReMA if you do not receive a confirmation in that period.

Please note: ReMA will not process any registration not accompanied by payment in full or the required credit card information. All forms received by ReMA after March 25 will be processed as on-site registrations.

Lodging: The Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, ReMA's official 2009 convention property, boasts two enticing hotel choices on its expansive grounds—the towers and THEhotel. Both hotels are centrally located off the casino and a short walk to the Mandalay Bay convention center. The towers' 500-square-foot rooms include luxury beds, dual closets, floor-to-ceiling windows, improved lighting, flat-panel TVs (even in the bathroom), an iPod-compatible alarm clock radio, and more. The all-suites THEhotel property, which offers "a new model of understated luxury," entices with even more amenities, including rooms that measure at least 725 square feet. Visit www.mandalaybay.com to review floor plans, photos, and additional features of the various rooms.

The ReMA rate for tower rooms is $239 single or double a night, plus tax, and for THEhotel rooms is $269 single or double a night, plus tax. Secure those rates before the March 26 cutoff date by calling the hotel directly at 877/632-7000 (mention the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries room block) or signing up online at www.isriconvention.org/hotels.

For the latest schedule information, and other exciting convention news, visit www.isriconvention.org.

Print This Article

Print This Article

January/Febraury 2009

Challenges, Opportunities, Change.

2009 ReMA Convention Preview

Is your crystal ball a little cloudy these days? ReMA's 2009 convention offers a vision of success—and a welcome opportunity for some fun—amidst today's trying markets.

We've all heard the saying that the only constant is change, and that's certainly true in the scrap recycling industry. Change brings its share of challenges, but change also offers opportunities. In the past few months, the scrap industry's challenges have included precipitous price declines, trading tribulations, and an unprecedented credit crunch. Smart scrap companies see the silver lining in these dark clouds, however, capitalizing on the tough times to make internal improvements, claim market share, and position themselves for future growth.

One of the best ways to understand the dramatic market changes—and potentially profit from them—is to attend ReMA's 2009 convention and exposition. This year, ReMA returns to Las Vegas April 26-30, setting up shop for the third time at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, one of the premier properties on the famed Vegas Strip.

ISRI chose "Change" as this year's convention theme to recognize the turbulent state of the market and remind attendees of the opportunities that exist at both the top and the bottom of the business cycle. Only at ReMA's annual show can scrap buyers and sellers get the information—and the networking opportunities—they need to succeed in the constantly changing world of recycling. And that's not even counting the benefits of exploring ReMA's expo, a one-stop-shop of recycling-related equipment, products, services, and technology—and the largest recycling show of its kind in the world.

In good times and bad, ReMA's convention is the must-attend event for scrap professionals—this year more than ever, given the market dynamics. Here's a look at some notable features of ReMA 2009.

Of Presidents and Programs
Interesting, exciting, educational, invaluable, fun, memorable…to this list of adjectives used to describe the ReMA convention, add presidential. Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States, will be the event's distinguished speaker. Clinton, a Rhodes scholar and Yale-educated lawyer, began his political career in his home state of Arkansas, where he served as attorney general and governor. In 1992, he defeated Republican incumbent President George H.W. Bush and billionaire Ross Perot in a closely contested race to win the presidency. Clinton won re-election in 1996, becoming the first Democratic president to win a second term since Franklin D. Roosevelt.

During the Clinton administration, the United States "enjoyed more peace and economic well-being than at any [other] time in its history," according to a White House biography. Among his accomplishments, Clinton led the country to the lowest unemployment rate in modern times, the lowest inflation rate in 30 years, the highest home ownership level in the country's history, lower crime rates in many parts of the country, and reduced welfare rolls. He also displayed remarkable fiscal prowess, proposing the first balanced budget in decades and achieving a budget surplus.

After leaving the White House in 2000, Clinton founded the William J. Clinton Foundation, which focuses on worldwide issues that demand urgent action, solutions, and measurable results, such as global climate change, HIV/AIDS in the developing world, childhood obesity and economic opportunity in the United States, and economic development in Africa and Latin America.

President Clinton is an undeniably tough act to match, but Michael Josephson welcomes that challenge in his role as the ReMA convention's keynote speaker. Josephson is president and founder of the Josephson Institute (Los Angeles), which seeks to improve the ethical quality of society by changing personal and organizational decision-making and behavior. He is a well-known speaker on the practical application of ethics in business, law enforcement, government, and sports, as well as ethics education for youth. In 1995, Josephson received the America's Award from President Ronald Reagan for his accomplishments in character education and ethics. A popular commentator and author, he speaks to listeners daily through his award-winning radio spots syndicated across the globe. After his ReMA address, he will lead a workshop on ethics in business that's sure to be thought-provoking.

Josephson's ethics workshop is just one of more than three dozen educational programs at this year's ReMA convention. In addition to topics such as safety, international trade, transportation, finance, and management, ReMA is offering its broadest slate of commodity spotlights ever. In these troubled economic times, it's more essential than ever to stay on top of market trends. ReMA's eight spotlights provide expert commentary on the key commodity markets of aluminum, copper, ferrous, nickel/stainless, paper, plastics, electronics, and tires/rubber. In a related vein—and as an added benefit—ISRI also is offering a spotlight on the economy, which will put the latest domestic and global economic conditions in perspective. The take-home intelligence you gain in these spotlight sessions could yield manifold savings in your operations, more than recouping your investment of time and money to attend the convention.

ISRI also plans to hold its popular Tire Recycling Business Summit at this year's convention to attract more rubber recyclers to the show and achieve synergies between the two events. The summit, previously held in Chicago in the fall, will be a separately charged event within the ReMA convention, offering a specialized schedule of six rubber-focused workshops April 29-30. Likely workshop topics include fire safety, trends in shredder design, and developments in the synthetic turf market. The ReMA summit is the only rubber recycling event designed by tire processors for tire processors, which makes it the essential event for rubber recycling professionals and those interested in entering the niche.

Other ReMA commodity tracks focus on electronics and plastics. In addition to the electronics spotlight noted above, the electronics recycling track will offer workshops—some with a separate registration fee—on current topics in this growing market niche. The plastics track will most likely include two related workshops that will provide a primer on plastics recycling and guidance on identifying different grades of plastic polymers.

What Else Is New?
Beyond the many innovative program offerings, the ReMA 2009 convention will boast new digs for its scrap recycling exposition. Unprecedented demand for exhibition space compelled ReMA to move its expo from its previous location in the Mandalay Bay convention center to the larger space next door. This new set of halls—which totals 320,000 square feet, compared with 210,000 square feet last year—will give exhibitors and attendees more elbow room and allow ReMA to offer more booths and equipment space. Already, 219 exhibitors have claimed 317 booth spaces in the hall—that's 30 more booths than last year's total, and counting. In addition, vendors have reserved more than 62,000 square feet for equipment displays—18,000 square feet more than last year—with more to come.

In another ReMA convention first, the Recycling Research Foundation—ReMA's research and education arm—will hold a silent auction to raise funds for its work. RRF conducts industry research and provides scholarships to the children of workers associated with the scrap recycling industry. Traditionally, RRF has held a fundraising golf tournament in conjunction with the ReMA convention, but its board members decided to try something new this year—the charitable auction. On the auction block, look for books and collectibles, artwork, event tickets, trips, gift certificates, equipment, unique opportunities, and more. RRF continues to seek donors of auction items. For more information, contact Tom Crane, 202/662-8536 or tomcrane@isri.org.

Just the Facts
Registration: The 2009 ReMA convention registration fee for ReMA members and their guests is $700 each through Feb. 18, $800 each Feb. 19-March 25, and $900 each after that date. The nonmember registration fee is $1,050 a person through Feb. 18, $1,150 a person Feb. 19-March 25, and $1,250 after that date. Tickets for the trade show only (April 28-29) are $400 through Feb. 18, $450 Feb. 19-March 25, and $500 afterward.

The easiest way to register is online at www.isriconvention.org, but you also can register by mail or by fax. To register by mail, fill out a registration form (available online or in the mailed ReMA convention brochure) and send it with full payment or credit card information to ReMA Convention, 1615 L St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036-5610. To register by fax, send your completed registration form with credit card payment information to 202/624-9257. ReMA plans to send confirmations within two to four weeks of receipt of properly completed registrations. Contact ReMA if you do not receive a confirmation in that period.

Please note: ReMA will not process any registration not accompanied by payment in full or the required credit card information. All forms received by ReMA after March 25 will be processed as on-site registrations.

Lodging: The Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, ReMA's official 2009 convention property, boasts two enticing hotel choices on its expansive grounds—the towers and THEhotel. Both hotels are centrally located off the casino and a short walk to the Mandalay Bay convention center. The towers' 500-square-foot rooms include luxury beds, dual closets, floor-to-ceiling windows, improved lighting, flat-panel TVs (even in the bathroom), an iPod-compatible alarm clock radio, and more. The all-suites THEhotel property, which offers "a new model of understated luxury," entices with even more amenities, including rooms that measure at least 725 square feet. Visit www.mandalaybay.com to review floor plans, photos, and additional features of the various rooms.

The ReMA rate for tower rooms is $239 single or double a night, plus tax, and for THEhotel rooms is $269 single or double a night, plus tax. Secure those rates before the March 26 cutoff date by calling the hotel directly at 877/632-7000 (mention the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries room block) or signing up online at www.isriconvention.org/hotels.

For the latest schedule information, and other exciting convention news, visit www.isriconvention.org.

Print This Article

Print This Article

January/Febraury 2009

Challenges, Opportunities, Change.

2009 ReMA Convention Preview

Is your crystal ball a little cloudy these days? ReMA's 2009 convention offers a vision of success—and a welcome opportunity for some fun—amidst today's trying markets.

We've all heard the saying that the only constant is change, and that's certainly true in the scrap recycling industry. Change brings its share of challenges, but change also offers opportunities. In the past few months, the scrap industry's challenges have included precipitous price declines, trading tribulations, and an unprecedented credit crunch. Smart scrap companies see the silver lining in these dark clouds, however, capitalizing on the tough times to make internal improvements, claim market share, and position themselves for future growth.

One of the best ways to understand the dramatic market changes—and potentially profit from them—is to attend ReMA's 2009 convention and exposition. This year, ReMA returns to Las Vegas April 26-30, setting up shop for the third time at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, one of the premier properties on the famed Vegas Strip.

ISRI chose "Change" as this year's convention theme to recognize the turbulent state of the market and remind attendees of the opportunities that exist at both the top and the bottom of the business cycle. Only at ReMA's annual show can scrap buyers and sellers get the information—and the networking opportunities—they need to succeed in the constantly changing world of recycling. And that's not even counting the benefits of exploring ReMA's expo, a one-stop-shop of recycling-related equipment, products, services, and technology—and the largest recycling show of its kind in the world.

In good times and bad, ReMA's convention is the must-attend event for scrap professionals—this year more than ever, given the market dynamics. Here's a look at some notable features of ReMA 2009.

Of Presidents and Programs
Interesting, exciting, educational, invaluable, fun, memorable…to this list of adjectives used to describe the ReMA convention, add presidential. Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States, will be the event's distinguished speaker. Clinton, a Rhodes scholar and Yale-educated lawyer, began his political career in his home state of Arkansas, where he served as attorney general and governor. In 1992, he defeated Republican incumbent President George H.W. Bush and billionaire Ross Perot in a closely contested race to win the presidency. Clinton won re-election in 1996, becoming the first Democratic president to win a second term since Franklin D. Roosevelt.

During the Clinton administration, the United States "enjoyed more peace and economic well-being than at any [other] time in its history," according to a White House biography. Among his accomplishments, Clinton led the country to the lowest unemployment rate in modern times, the lowest inflation rate in 30 years, the highest home ownership level in the country's history, lower crime rates in many parts of the country, and reduced welfare rolls. He also displayed remarkable fiscal prowess, proposing the first balanced budget in decades and achieving a budget surplus.

After leaving the White House in 2000, Clinton founded the William J. Clinton Foundation, which focuses on worldwide issues that demand urgent action, solutions, and measurable results, such as global climate change, HIV/AIDS in the developing world, childhood obesity and economic opportunity in the United States, and economic development in Africa and Latin America.

President Clinton is an undeniably tough act to match, but Michael Josephson welcomes that challenge in his role as the ReMA convention's keynote speaker. Josephson is president and founder of the Josephson Institute (Los Angeles), which seeks to improve the ethical quality of society by changing personal and organizational decision-making and behavior. He is a well-known speaker on the practical application of ethics in business, law enforcement, government, and sports, as well as ethics education for youth. In 1995, Josephson received the America's Award from President Ronald Reagan for his accomplishments in character education and ethics. A popular commentator and author, he speaks to listeners daily through his award-winning radio spots syndicated across the globe. After his ReMA address, he will lead a workshop on ethics in business that's sure to be thought-provoking.

Josephson's ethics workshop is just one of more than three dozen educational programs at this year's ReMA convention. In addition to topics such as safety, international trade, transportation, finance, and management, ReMA is offering its broadest slate of commodity spotlights ever. In these troubled economic times, it's more essential than ever to stay on top of market trends. ReMA's eight spotlights provide expert commentary on the key commodity markets of aluminum, copper, ferrous, nickel/stainless, paper, plastics, electronics, and tires/rubber. In a related vein—and as an added benefit—ISRI also is offering a spotlight on the economy, which will put the latest domestic and global economic conditions in perspective. The take-home intelligence you gain in these spotlight sessions could yield manifold savings in your operations, more than recouping your investment of time and money to attend the convention.

ISRI also plans to hold its popular Tire Recycling Business Summit at this year's convention to attract more rubber recyclers to the show and achieve synergies between the two events. The summit, previously held in Chicago in the fall, will be a separately charged event within the ReMA convention, offering a specialized schedule of six rubber-focused workshops April 29-30. Likely workshop topics include fire safety, trends in shredder design, and developments in the synthetic turf market. The ReMA summit is the only rubber recycling event designed by tire processors for tire processors, which makes it the essential event for rubber recycling professionals and those interested in entering the niche.

Other ReMA commodity tracks focus on electronics and plastics. In addition to the electronics spotlight noted above, the electronics recycling track will offer workshops—some with a separate registration fee—on current topics in this growing market niche. The plastics track will most likely include two related workshops that will provide a primer on plastics recycling and guidance on identifying different grades of plastic polymers.

What Else Is New?
Beyond the many innovative program offerings, the ReMA 2009 convention will boast new digs for its scrap recycling exposition. Unprecedented demand for exhibition space compelled ReMA to move its expo from its previous location in the Mandalay Bay convention center to the larger space next door. This new set of halls—which totals 320,000 square feet, compared with 210,000 square feet last year—will give exhibitors and attendees more elbow room and allow ReMA to offer more booths and equipment space. Already, 219 exhibitors have claimed 317 booth spaces in the hall—that's 30 more booths than last year's total, and counting. In addition, vendors have reserved more than 62,000 square feet for equipment displays—18,000 square feet more than last year—with more to come.

In another ReMA convention first, the Recycling Research Foundation—ReMA's research and education arm—will hold a silent auction to raise funds for its work. RRF conducts industry research and provides scholarships to the children of workers associated with the scrap recycling industry. Traditionally, RRF has held a fundraising golf tournament in conjunction with the ReMA convention, but its board members decided to try something new this year—the charitable auction. On the auction block, look for books and collectibles, artwork, event tickets, trips, gift certificates, equipment, unique opportunities, and more. RRF continues to seek donors of auction items. For more information, contact Tom Crane, 202/662-8536 or tomcrane@isri.org.

Just the Facts
Registration: The 2009 ReMA convention registration fee for ReMA members and their guests is $700 each through Feb. 18, $800 each Feb. 19-March 25, and $900 each after that date. The nonmember registration fee is $1,050 a person through Feb. 18, $1,150 a person Feb. 19-March 25, and $1,250 after that date. Tickets for the trade show only (April 28-29) are $400 through Feb. 18, $450 Feb. 19-March 25, and $500 afterward.

The easiest way to register is online at www.isriconvention.org, but you also can register by mail or by fax. To register by mail, fill out a registration form (available online or in the mailed ReMA convention brochure) and send it with full payment or credit card information to ReMA Convention, 1615 L St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036-5610. To register by fax, send your completed registration form with credit card payment information to 202/624-9257. ReMA plans to send confirmations within two to four weeks of receipt of properly completed registrations. Contact ReMA if you do not receive a confirmation in that period.

Please note: ReMA will not process any registration not accompanied by payment in full or the required credit card information. All forms received by ReMA after March 25 will be processed as on-site registrations.

Lodging: The Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, ReMA's official 2009 convention property, boasts two enticing hotel choices on its expansive grounds—the towers and THEhotel. Both hotels are centrally located off the casino and a short walk to the Mandalay Bay convention center. The towers' 500-square-foot rooms include luxury beds, dual closets, floor-to-ceiling windows, improved lighting, flat-panel TVs (even in the bathroom), an iPod-compatible alarm clock radio, and more. The all-suites THEhotel property, which offers "a new model of understated luxury," entices with even more amenities, including rooms that measure at least 725 square feet. Visit www.mandalaybay.com to review floor plans, photos, and additional features of the various rooms.

The ReMA rate for tower rooms is $239 single or double a night, plus tax, and for THEhotel rooms is $269 single or double a night, plus tax. Secure those rates before the March 26 cutoff date by calling the hotel directly at 877/632-7000 (mention the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries room block) or signing up online at www.isriconvention.org/hotels.

For the latest schedule information, and other exciting convention news, visit www.isriconvention.org.