May/June 1989
Recycling industry challenges, intensifying all over the world, will be addressed at the Bureau International de la Recuperation 1989 convention in London.
As international exchange rates fluctuate, competition intensifies, consumer demands increase, and environmental and other regulations become more stringent worldwide, it is more important than ever to have an international forum for recyclers to exchange information. The Bureau International de la Recuperation (BIR) 1989 spring convention is just such a vehicle.
At the convention, May 28-31 at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, recyclers can arm themselves with the facts they need to face these escalating industry pressures. The convention also is the place to learn about the latest in sophisticated recycling equipment and to make new industry acquaintances.
The five BIR divisions-Scrap Iron and Steel, Nonferrous Metals, Paper Stock, Textiles, and Plastics and Rubber-host informative meetings, trading sessions, and luncheons for conventiongoers.
BIR President Jake J. Farber, Alpert & Alpert Iron & Metal, Inc., Los Angeles, believes the most pressing issues for recyclers worldwide concern the environment. "We have to project to our members, to government bodies, to the general media, and to the public at large that these challenges exist for recyclers," he says. He encourages attendance at the Environment Committee Roundtable May 29, at which the status of environmental regulations and their effects on recyclers around the world will be addressed.
In addition, BIR has several special events planned. A tour of the British Steel Stainless facility in Sheffield, organized by the Stainless Steel and Special Alloys Committee, takes place the day before the convention. The Textiles Division hosts the Charitable Collections Roundtable immediately following the division's plenary meeting May 31; discussion will focus on measures to secure the best quality versus price return for collections in view of the 1992 European market.
Following opening day activities May 28, BIR and its British member associations host a welcome reception and buffet supper at the Marine Section of the Science Museum in London.
At the dinner-dance May 30, to be held in the Great Room of the Grosvenor House Hotel, entertainment includes the Royal Marines Band, the Johnny Howard Band, and the Angelique Quartet.
Tour London, Greenwich, Hever Castle
The convention organizer, Conference Services Limited, offers convention attendees and their guests several tours of the vicinity during the convention.
A panoramic tour of London takes place May 28. See the city's highlights, including the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London, and St. Paul's Cathedral.
Visit Greenwich May 29, home of the Observatory, the Royal Naval College, and the National Maritime Museum with its galleries devoted to the stories of Nelson, Captain Cook, and the history of navigation.
On May 30, choose between a cookery demonstration at the Cordon Bleu Cookery School and a trip to the Inns of Court area and the Silver Vaults in Chancery Lane, a collection of underground silver shops more than 100 years old.
Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, can be visited May 31. Dating back to about 1270, the structure is situated in the Kent countryside and contains an Italian garden and one of the finest mazes in England.
The Royal and State carriages and the Queen's horses are on display at the Royal Mews, which you can see May 31. Also view the Queen's Gallery of paintings, drawings, and etchings.
Convention Particulars
The registration desk is open May 27 from 2:00-6:00 p.m.; May 28 from 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; May 29 and 30 from 8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; and May 31 from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
At all plenary meetings, simultaneous interpretation in French, English, German, Spanish, and Italian is provided.
Up-to-the-minute London Metal Exchange and New York Commodities Exchange information is offered in the hotel's foyer.
BIR conventions are open only to BIR individual member firms and to members of BIR national associations. Anyone else interested in attending must be invited either by a member of the BIR Executive Council or by the secretariat of a BIR national member association.
If you register for the convention by May 15, your cost is 275 pounds; after that date it is 300 pounds. The fee for BIR Gold Member Firm delegates is 250 pounds and for observers, 300 pounds. Registration must be by bank check negotiable in the United Kingdom. Your registration fee includes participation in all plenary meetings, a divisional luncheon of your choice, and the welcome reception May 28.
For convention and hotel information, contact Conference Services Ltd., Congress House, 55 New Cavendish Street, London W1M 7RE, United Kingdom; 44-1/486-0531. •