Convention Exposition Preview—2000

Imagine the best of everything presented in a singular setting.”

That’s how the Bellagio—the new crown jewel of Las Vegas casino resorts—describes itself.

But that phrase also describes the ReMA 2000 convention and exposition. After all, the event—slated for March 12-16—will certainly present the best of everything scrap in the singular setting of the Bellagio.

What better way to welcome the new millennium and celebrate the scrap industry’s future—as well as its recent Superfund victory?

A Site Beyond Compare

Bellagio. The name is borrowed from the village that overlooks Italy’s Lake Como. And at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, an 8-acre lake reminiscent of Lake Como runs the length of the grounds, creating a grand entrance to the 36-story, 3,000-room resort, which cost $1.6 billion to develop. The lake is alive with 1,200 fountain jets that perform at scheduled intervals to the music of composers such as Copland and Strauss and vocalists such as Luciano Pavarotti.

Water is also the sustaining force behind the Bellagio’s 13,573-square-foot botanical conservatory—home of exotic plants and flowers such as orchids, lilies, and hyacinth—and it makes possible the property’s five outdoor pools.

And Cirque du Soleil’s show “O”—staged only at the Bellagio—is performed in, above, and under water. The show’s name, in fact, is the phonetic sound for the French word for water—“eau.” In this combination of technology and artistry, 74 athlete-artists perform in a specially designed amphitheater inspired by the Paris Opera House. And ReMA conventiongoers will get an exclusive opportunity to see this hottest show on the Strip (more on that later).

Adding to its Italian character and aquatic features, the Bellagio is hands-down the most artistic property in Las Vegas. You notice this the moment you enter the hotel—the lobby’s chandelier is, at 30 by 70 feet, the largest glass sculpture ever made, hand-blown out of multicolored glass by contemporary artist Dale Chihuly.

The artistic centerpiece of the Bellagio, however, is a $300-million permanent collection of fine art amassed by owner Steve Wynn. This collection, housed in a gallery atthe heart of the hotel, is “one of the finest privately held collections of art available for public viewing anywhere in the world,” the hotel boasts. And indeed, its roster reads like a who’s who of 19th and 20th century European and American masters, with oil paintings by Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, and Paul Gauguin. There are sculptures by Constantin Brancusi and Alberto Giacometti, as well as pastels by Édouard Manet and Edgar Degas. Also included are works by Jackson Pollock, Franz Kline, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jasper Johns.

Admission to the gallery is $10, with tickets available at the hotel.

Fine art even accents one of the Bellagio’s 12 dining establishments, Picasso, which features nine of the master’s paintings as well as some of his ceramics and other works.

And though the hotel’s other restaurants don’t feature artistic masterpieces, they do offer them in the culinary variety. Here’s a summary of where to dine in the Bellagio and the cuisine served: Le Cirque (French); Jasmine (Chinese); Shintaro (Japanese); Aqua (seafood); Osteria del Circo (Italian); Bellagio Steakhouse; Noodles (Asian noodle dishes); Olives (Italian); and Canyon Grill (American). For a more casual bite, the hotel also has a buffet, the 24-hour Café Bellagio, an espresso bar, and a gelato parlor and juice bar.

As if these features weren’t enough, the Bellagio sports its own shopping promenade—Via Bellagio—with stores such as Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Hermès, and Tiffany & Co.

And in the event you need a respite from the hotel’s temptations, you can repair to its full-service beauty salon and spa, which offers cuts, manicures, pedicures, and makeup application, as well as luxurious body care in the European tradition. Or, if you need some exertion, there’s an exercise room featuring top-of-the-line Cybex equipment.

For more on the Bellagio, visit www.bellagiolasvegas.com.

A Millennial Event

 ISRI will take advantage of another great Bellagio feature—the state-of-the-art meeting
facilities—during this 2000 convention. And to ensure that the experience stands out as a fitting welcome to the new millennium, ReMA has added some rather unconventional features to its convention.

One new feature is ISRI’s virtual trade show (VTS), an online complement to the on-site exposition. This “cyber resource” allows you to preview the exposition, locate specific product and service vendors, and develop business contacts—all from your computer.

The VTS includes an alphabetical listing of every ReMA 2000 convention exhibitor, including booth numbers. Many exhibitor listings also feature links to company Web sites, contact information, and company and product descriptions and pictures. 
Visitors can also employ the business card exchange as a networking tool and use the personal planner to track exhibitors and convention workshops and sessions.

The virtual trade show also features a bookstore of items related to the industry and past and present ReMA conventions, plus information on how to become an ReMA 2000 convention and VTS exhibitor. You can access the virtual trade show through ISRI’s home page at www.isri.org, the Explore ReMA page, or the Annual Convention & Expo page.

Another new feature at ReMA 2000 is that workshops will be grouped in “tracks,” covering five areas of interest and importance to scrap professionals.

Black Track: “Keeping Your Company in the Black.” Sessions will focus on sound business management, preserving the bottom line, cutting costs, and similar concerns.

Red Track: “Cutting Through the Red Tape.” These topics will help you navigate through government regulation and compliance issues.

Green Track: “Running an Environmentally Sound Operation.” Here you’ll learn about technologies, practices, and procedures to help you go beyond compliance requirements in your operations.

Blue Track: “The Blue Sky Is the Limit.” This forward-looking track will examine emerging technologies, future trends, and potential market directions.

Gold Track: “Enrich Yourself.” Here’s where you get to focus on you, with programs dedicated to personal enrichment, both in and out of business.

ISRI is also taking a new approach to this convention’s social events. While there will still be an opening gala in the exhibition hall, there won’t be a closing night banquet with entertainment. Instead, the main entertainment will fall on Tuesday, March 14. All full registrants will receive a voucher to attend one of two performances that evening of Cirque du Soleil’s “O.”

A dessert reception will be held between the two performances so you can network and grab a quick treat whether you attend the early or late show.

That said, ReMA has no intention of letting its 2000 convention end without some kind of celebration, of course. So the final night, Thursday, March 16, will wrap up with a reception/millennium party, where you can mingle with figures from the past and sample entertainment and light fare from the past 1,000 years. (But don’t worry—everything will be cooked fresh!)

What You Need to Know

Registration. To register for ReMA 2000, you must fill out the registration form included in the convention preview brochure mailed in early December. You can mail the form with payment to: ReMA Convention Registration, 1325 G St. N.W., Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005-3104. Or, if paying by credit card, you can fax your form with your credit card number to 202/624-9257.

If you need an additional registration form, you can download one from the ReMA Web site (go to www.isri.org, then Explore ISRI, and Annual Convention & Expo).

Registration fees and deadlines for ReMA members, member exhibitors, and their spouses/guests are: $550 by Jan. 14, $600 from Jan. 15 to Feb. 18; and $650 from Feb. 19 through on-site registration. For nonmembers, nonmember exhibitors, and their spouses/guests, the fees and deadlines are: $850 by Jan. 14; $900 from Jan. 15 to Feb. 18; and $950 from Feb. 19 through on-site registration.

Hotel Reservations. To reserve a room or suite at the Bellagio, you must fill out the hotel reservation form included in the convention preview brochure. Reservations must be accompanied by credit card payment for one night’s stay. Mailing or faxing the hotel reservation form directly to the Bellagio is the only way you can make reservations.

The ReMA convention rate for a sleeping room is $180 a night, single or double occupancy. Suites are also available at rates ranging from $375 to $1,050 a night. (Bally’s Las Vegas is the overflow hotel for the ReMA convention, with a sleeping room rate of $115 per night, single or double occupancy.)

Mail or fax your hotel reservation form to: Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89109. Fax: 702/693-8585. If you need an additional hotel registration form, you can download one from the ReMA Web site.

Travel. ReMA convention registrants can take advantage of special airfare discounts on Delta Air Lines and US Airways—5 percent off discounted fares and 10 percent off unrestricted fares. Call Delta Air Lines, 800/241-6760 (mention File #130791A), or US Airways, 877/874-7687 (mention Gold File #54650735). You can also get the lowest rental fee from Alamo Rent-A-Car, plus 500 frequent flyer miles when flying Delta or US Airways. Just give Alamo your frequent flyer number when making your car reservation, then show your ticket or boarding pass and frequent flyer card when you pick up your car. For more details, call Alamo, 800/354-2322 (mention BY #245303).

For More Information. ISRI’s Web site is your best source for up-to-date information on the convention. Log onto www.isri.org, then click Explore ISRI, and Annual Convention & Expo. —Kent Kiser