January/February 1992
Scrap executives will meet in San Francisco to assess their markets—and stroll down Market Street —at ReMA's fourth annual convention.
Ever since gold miners flocked to San Francisco in the mid-1800s, the city has been a gateway to the world, attracting an international cross-section of people with diverse interests. This tradition will continue March 12-15 when the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) (Washington , D.C.) holds its annual convention in the city by the bay.
Scrap executives will gather at the San Francisco Marriott to discuss current and future market prospects, trade with their colleagues, and peruse the latest in scrap processing and recycling equipment, technology, and services (see exhibitor list on page XXX). The convention's theme—"The Future Begins With You"—captures the focus of the event's workshops and spotlights, which encompass all scrap commodities (see preliminary schedule beginning on page XXX).
The convention will not be limited to serious business, however. The schedule allows time for social activities, and the convention will conclude with big-name entertainment on Saturday night.
Venturing Out
San Francisco may be the site of ReMA's convention, but it is far from being a conventional city, offering a kaleidoscopic variety of restaurants, shops, and attractions. From the Marriott, located on the corner of Market and Fourth streets, attendees have the city at their doorstep. Two blocks away, for example, is Union Square, the heart of the downtown shopping and hotel district, which offers a smorgasbord of stylish shops. Two blocks farther is Chinatown, the largest Chinese community outside the Orient, covering 24 blocks. Its sights, smells, and stores will surely make you feel as if you are in Hong Kong .
If you get hungry, don't worry— San Francisco is a city of diverse cuisines, from Chinatown's dim-sum ("heart's delight") to Fog City Diner's 1950s-style fare to the North Beach neighborhood's Italian specialties. In addition, Fisherman's Wharf is the city's "seafood central," serving fresh-catch meals in a marine setting that features fishing boats, a square-rigger ship from the 1880s, and a view of the bay. (The convention just happens to fall during crab season.)
At the Wharf, you can take a bay cruise, roam through myriad gift shops, or stroll the 1,000-foot Pier 39, a restaurant/shopping complex designed to resemble a turn-of-the-century San Francisco street scene. Or you might want to tour "The Rock"— Alcatraz, the ex-federal penitentiary that is now the city's most popular tourist attraction.
On land again, Ghirardelli Square entices visitors with the aroma of famous Ghirardelli chocolate. The red-brick square, converted from the 19th-century Ghirardelli factory complex, is now a retail and restaurant showpiece featuring 70 shops. The nearby Cannery, a renovated Del Monte peach factory, also features shops and galleries, as well as live entertainment daily.
Across town, Embarcadero Center offers 140 top-of-the-line stores, earning it the designation of being a "city within a city." To get there, take one of the city's famous cable cars, which travel at 9-1/2 miles per hour and are the only historic landmarks on wheels.
If you get itchy to hit the road, hop on 49-Mile Scenic Drive, which runs past many of the city's highlights, including the 1,017-acre Golden Gate Park, encompassing museums, a Japanese tea garden, and the California Academy of Sciences. Head north across the Golden Gate Bridge and you'll find Muir Woods, with its majestic redwoods, and the charming harbor town of Sausalito. California's wine country in the Napa and Sonoma valleys is only an hour away, and you can experience it via a hot-air balloon, a bike, or on foot. En route, traveling on Highway 1, you'll see panoramic views of the coast—an experience not to be missed—and if you head south, the scenic towns of Monterey and Carmel are only two hours away.
—Kent Kiser
Scrap Executives' Favorites
We asked a few Bay-area ReMA members to play travel adviser and recommend how to get the most out of San Francisco. Most suggested taking the Alcatraz tour, visiting the wine country, taking a bay cruise for lunch or dinner, riding a cable car, and exploring Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf. On a more personal note, here's what they had to say:
- Bob Lewon, LMC Metals (Richmond): Try Cafe Majestic, which is reminiscent of a turn-of-the-century French bistro. "San Francisco's charm is all the little restaurants," he notes. For a dining experience with a great view, eat at the Carnelian Room on the 52nd floor of the Bank of America Center.
- Gary Schnitzer, Schnitzer Steel Products Co. (Oakland): For elegant dining, try the Cyprus Club, Fleur de Lys, Tommy Toy's Cuisine Chinoise, Imperial Palace, La Fiametta Ristorante, and the Waterfront Restaurant ("a good view and good seafood"). On the more moderate side, check out the Balboa Cafe (for a hamburger), Zuni Cafe, the Mandarin, and the Taddich Grill.
Schnitzer also says not to miss the Japanese tea gardens in Golden Gate Park and the California Palace of the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park. For upper-crust boutiques, he recommends, scout down Sacramento and Fillmore streets in the Pacific Heights neighborhood.
- Mary Lincoln, Sumitomo Corp. of America (San Francisco): Visit the historic Filoli Estate, which features a mansion and 16 acres of formal gardens. It is open for tours, by reservation, Tuesday through Saturday and is 25 miles south of San Francisco.
For dining, she says, try Schroeder's (German), Scoma's (seafood), Sears Fine Foods ("breakfasts are excellent"), Murasaki (sushi—"very fresh, rather expensive, very worthwhile"), and Cliff House Seafood & Beverage Co. ("beautiful view overlooking the Pacific, lovely anytime").
- Larry Fox, Markovits & Fox (San Jose): Dining suggestions include Stars, which features two elevated dining areas, a grand piano, and an oyster bar; Post Trio (a Wolfgang Puck venture); Masas (Japanese/French nouvelle cuisine); the Elite Cafe (Cajun seafood); Pacific Heights Bar & Grill; Cafe Sport ("a once-in-a-lifetime experience," three seatings per night); and the Savoy Club (for coffee).
For sightseeing, Fox says, check out the Steinhart Aquarium, located in the California Academy of Sciences, and the Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, both in Golden Gate Park. Also try to see the Exploratorium in the Palace of Fine Arts. For shopping, you can't beat Union and Chestnut streets, he says.
—Kent Kiser
Traveler's Advisory
- Travel. Convention registrants qualify for reduced airfares on American and Delta. You can save 5 percent on already discounted fares on either airline for which you meet the airline's requirements, or up to 45 percent on regular coach fares if tickets are purchased a minimum of seven days prior to travel. Tickets purchased within seven days of travel still qualify for the 5 percent discount. Savings are also available on first-class tickets between some cities. To make reservations, call the toll-free number listed below and use the ReMA identification number: American, 800/433-1790, Star #SO3Z2GW; Delta, 800/241-6760, File # J0960.
- Weather. San Francisco's climate is mild, with average March temperatures reaching 60ºF in the day and dipping to 48ºF in the evening. Spring-weight clothing is adequate, but sweaters and jackets are recommended since mornings and evenings will likely be cool and damp when the fog is in. The convention falls during the rainy season, which extends from late fall to early spring, so bring your umbrella and/or raincoat.
- Information. To read up on San Francisco's offerings before the convention, send for "The San Francisco Book," which discusses and lists the city's attractions, restaurants, shops, and excursions. The winter/spring issue covering the dates of the ReMA convention is now available. Send $1 per book for postage and handling to San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 6977, San Francisco, CA 94101, or call 415/391-2000.
During the convention, you can visit the bureau to get more detailed information about items of interest. Its offices are at Hallidie Plaza, located at Powell and Market streets; hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.
—Kent Kiser
City Facts
San Francisco, founded in 1776 by the Spanish army, covers 129 square miles.
Although the city's population is only 723,959, it ranks as the nation's fourth-largest metropolitan area, encompassing more than 6 million residents. Renowned for its food, San Francisco contains approximately 3,300 restaurants.
The city ripples with more than 40 hills, but it is best known for seven principal ones—Nob, Russian, Telegraph, Rincon, Twin Peaks, Lone Mountain, and Mount Davidson. Telegraph Hill is home to the 210-foot Coit Tower, a landmark to the city's early volunteer firemen that features murals of "Life in California " in its open-air gallery. The hill offers one of the best views of the city and bay. Russian Hill, which derives its name from Russian sailors buried there, features what is called the "world's crookedest" street, with Lombard Street descending the hill in 10 hairpin turns within a single block.
Preliminary Schedule
1992 ReMA Convention, Division, Committee, and Board of Directors Meetings
Tuesday, March 10
Ferrous Division Executive Committee
Wednesday, March 11
Issues Briefing
Ferrous Committee
State Subcommittee of the Environment and Legislative Committees
UBC Subcommittee of Nonferrous Committee
Planning Committee
Paper Stock Subcommittee of Foreign Trade Committee
Wire Choppers Committee
Ferrous Subcommittee of Foreign Trade Committee
Recycling Research Foundation
Nonferrous Subcommittee of Foreign Trade Committee
Phoenix Subcommittee
Combined Consumers/Executive Committee
Education and Training Committee
Safety Committee
Processing and Equipment Committee
Ohio Caucus
Foreign Trade Committee
Glass Cullet Committee
Bylaws Committee
National Association Supply Cooperative
Environment and Legislative Committees
Thursday, March 12
Exhibitor Briefing
Scrap Recycling Industry Exposition
Government Sales Committee
Nonferrous Committee
Public Relations Committee
Membership Committee
Insurance Committee
Nonmetallic Division Executive Committee
Plastic Scrap Subcommittee of Specifications Committee
Shredders Committee
History and Archives Committee
Nonferrous Division Executive Committee
Specifications Committee
Transportation Committee
Young Executives Committee
Finance Committee
Plastic Committee
Rubber Committee
Chapter Presidents
Workshop: Environment and Legislative Issues
Welcoming Reception
Friday, March 13
Exhibitor Training Program
President's Breakfast
Scrap Recycling Industry Exposition
Convention Committee and Spouses' Convention Subcommittee
Workshop: Public Relations Issues
Workshop: Dealing With MRFs
Spotlight: Nonmetallics
Spouse Tours
National Board of Directors
Spotlight: Precious Metals
Workshop: Family Corporations
Spotlight: Lead and Zinc
Young Executives Reception
Saturday, March 14
Scrap Recycling Industry Exposition
Spotlight: Ferrous
Trading Forum
Spouse Tours
Spotlight: Copper
Spotlight: Aluminum
Stainless and Alloys Committee (With Guest Speaker)
Workshop: Environment and Legislative Issues
National Board of Directors Election
ISRI Show Night
Sunday, March 15
Convention Committee and Spouses' Convention Subcommittee
Preliminary Exhibitor List (current as of December 1991)
Acutus Industries Inc.
Adept Solutions Inc.
Akerman Inc.
Al-jon Inc./Vezzani SpA
Alcoa Recycling Machinery Services
Alexander's Metal Fabrication Inc.
Allied-Gator Inc.
Alter Environmental Services Inc.
American Crane Corp.
American Metal Market
American Pulverizer Co./Hustler Conveyor Co.
American Shear Knife Division, ASKO Inc.
Anheuser-Busch Cos.
Atlantic Stainless Co. Inc.
Badger Construction Equipment Co.
Barko Hydraulics
Becker Machinery of America
Benlee
Bicron Corp.
Blount Inc. Industrial Equipment Division
Bureau International de la Recuperation
C and M Co.
CIMP Resource Recovery Systems
CNA Insurance Cos .
COMEX
CP Manufacturing Inc.
Carpco Inc.
Catalytic Converter Refining Co.
Caterpillar Inc.
Central Manufacturing Co. Inc.
Columbia Steel Casting Co. Inc.
Contamination Cleanup of California
Cornell Crane Manufacturing Ltd.
Counselor Engineering Inc.
D&J Wendt Corp./Thyssen Henschel
Delta Star Electric Co.
Desk Talk Systems Inc./Amana Inc.
Dudley Shearing ( North America ) Inc.
ENSR Consulting and Engineering
Eidal Shredders
Enterprise Baler Co.
Exploranium G.S. Ltd.
Galbreath Inc.
Galland Henning Nopak Inc.
Gensco Equipment Co. Ltd.
Jack Gray Transport Inc.
Gulf Electroquip Ltd.
Harris Group
Hawco Manufacturing Co.
Hubbell Industrial Controls
Industrial Metal Craft
Ing. Bonfiglioli SpA
ISRI Membership Services
J.W. International Corp.
R.M. Johnson Co. Inc.
Koehring Cranes & Excavators/Northwest Engineering
Komatsu Dresser Co.
LaBounty Manufacturing Inc.
Laclede Consulting Services
Levand Steel & Supply Corp.
Liebherr-America Inc.
Lindemann Recycling Equipment Inc.
Link-Belt Construction Equipment Co.
Logemann Brothers Co.
Lollini International SpA
Lummus Development Corp.
M.A. Industries Inc.
MAC Corp./Saturn Shredders
MRO Plus Inc.
Mack Manufacturing Inc.
Magnatech Engineering Inc.
Material Handling Crane Systems Inc.
Mayfran International
Mayne Machinery Co. Inc.
Meade Industrial Services Inc.
Measurement Systems International
Metal Bulletin, Inc.
C.R. Meyer and Sons Co.
Mobil Chemical Co.— Technical Center
Mosley Machinery Co. Inc.
National Association Supply Cooperative Inc.
National Nuclear Corp.
Newell Industries Inc.
Norris Equipment & Fabricating Inc.
Ohio Locomotive Crane Co. Inc.
Ohio Magnetics Inc.
Osborn Engineering Inc.
Parkans International Inc.
Pemberton Inc.
Pierce Pacific Manufacturing Inc.
Properzi International Inc.
Recycling Today
Resource Consultants Inc./Chemtox System
Resource Recycling
Resource Recycling Technologies Inc.
Reuters
Riverside Products
Ross Corp.
Connie Saylor and Associates
Scrap Management Systems
Scrap Processing and Recycling
Setco Solid Tire & Rim Assembly
Shared Logic Group Inc.
Sierra International Machinery Inc.
Simplicity Engineering Inc.
Steco
Steel Can Recycling Institute
Steinert Elektromagnetbau GmbH
Suntrac Services Inc.
Systems Alternatives Inc.
TN Technologies Inc.
Texas Shredder
Triple/S Dynamics Inc.
U.S. Wire-Tie Systems
Universal Engineering
O.S. Walker Co.
Scrap executives will meet in San Francisco to assess their markets—and stroll down Market Street —at ReMA's fourth annual convention.