January/February 1996
It’s almost time for the scrap recycling industry’s biggest event of the year. Here’s what to expect.
Thousands of recyclers are expected to chart the course in Orlando this spring, when ReMA presents its annual convention and exposition April 20-24 at the Marriott World Center.
There, attendees will have the opportunity to visit with colleagues and make new business contacts, check out equipment and services being marketed to the industry, soak in the warmth of central Florida (provided there’s not another “storm of the century”—keep your fingers crossed), and, of course, learn from a multitude of educational programs, meetings, sessions and workshops.
As a special new feature this year, each day’s events—both social and educational—will be unified by daily themes. After all, what could be more appropriate while in America’s ultimate theme park city? Sunday’s theme is the role of government in the scrap recycling industry, Monday’s agenda will emphasize economics and the recycling industry at present, Tuesday’s sessions will focus on geopolitical issues, and Wednesday’s programs will examine the future of the industry.
An Emphasis on Education
Throughout the convention, recyclers will find many opportunities to expand their industry intellect.
Among the educational sessions expected to be most popular are six commodity spotlights—two per day on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday—which will offer in-depth analyses of market fundamentals from business experts. At press time, independent British consultant Rover Mellon was slated to discuss nickel and stainless steel, Joseph Viland from Wabash Alloys (Wabash, Ind.) to examine aluminum, and David Waite of Rudolf Wolff (New York City) and Frank Whittlake of Muel-ler Copper Tube (Fulton, Mass.) to offer insights on copper. Additional speakers are expected to be added to these sessions, as well as the spotlights scheduled to cover lead and zinc, iron and steel, and nonmetallics.
Those interested in specific commodities also may want to spend some time at two early-evening commodity networking sessions: Monday evening’s “Meet the Consumer” gathering, where recyclers will be able to easily identify and get better acquainted with others who handle any of many types of materials, and a nonmetallics reception on Tuesday, which is designed as a forum for recyclers of paper, glass, plastic, and rubber to network and discuss the concerns unique to their sectors of the industry.
There will also be learning opportunities at the 10 practical workshops scheduled for this year’s convention. These sessions will cover a variety of topics designed to help attendees’ businesses thrive—from Internet guidance to Clean Air Act compliance to safety training ideas. In addition, workshops geared especially to spouses will be featured on Monday and Tuesday, with a spouse luncheon and speaker program scheduled for Wednesday.
General sessions designed to interest all recyclers—regardless of their business focus—as well as spouses, will be on the program daily, Sunday through Wednesday, and will feature highly regarded speakers. Among the scheduled speakers is Dennis Prager, a highly rated radio and television talk show host who focuses on political, social, and spiritual issues.
In addition to these meetings and general sessions, the convention agenda will also include a quarterly board of director’s meeting, as well as committee and division meetings and national officer elections.
See page 101 for the preliminary convention program.
Fun and Sun
Of course, there will be plenty of planned social activities on the convention calendar, presenting attendees with additional networking opportunities and the chance to relax.
The social schedule kicks off with a welcoming reception Sunday evening. Set in the exhibit hall and the surrounding foyer, the gathering will offer attendees the chance to not only eat, drink, and be merry, but also to preview the latest in services and equipment offerings at the biggest scrap industry exhibition ever. (See page 98 for a preliminary listing of exhibitors.
In addition, the opening party will celebrate the industry’s contributions to the war effort during World War II, featuring period music. To add to the fun, ReMA is encouraging attendees to dress in nostalgic attire and brush up on their jitterbugging.
In contrast to Sunday evening’s sentimental look back, Wednesday evening’s closing banquet and bash will feature a futuristic theme and a musical performance by a well-known entertainer. And the mood will continue well into the night at a couple of after hours “lounges” featuring still more live musical entertainment.
While all these convention activities are certainly enough to keep most people more than busy, those who want to enjoy some of the attractions in and around Orlando that make it one of the nation’s prime vacation spots should be able to find some time to do so. Convention organizers have scheduled open evenings on Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday to allow attendees to sample central Florida’s nightlife.
In addition, convention attendees can enjoy the sights and special activities at scheduled half- and full-day tours and recreational activities available at an additional charge.
And, although there is no set children’s program this year, Orlando is a paradise for kids—and kids at heart—with Walt Disney World, including MGM Studios, the Magic Kingdom, and Epcot Center at their fingertips, as well as Sea World, Busch Gardens, and Cape Canaveral.
Sign Me Up
Complete convention program and registration details will automatically be mailed to all ReMA members by mid-January. Nonmembers should call ReMA at 202/737-1770 to obtain the materials.
The standard registration fee for members, exhibitors, and their spouses or guests is $550 per person; nonmembers and their spouses or guests can register for $750 per person. But those who sign up early will receive discounts: Registrations postmarked by Feb. 16 get $100 off and those postmarked by March 15 get $50 off.
Preliminary Schedule
Saturday, April 20
Registration/hospitality open
ISRI leadership development workshop
Committee/division meetings
First-timers’ orientation
Young Leadership Council reception
Sunday, April 21
Committee/division meetings
Half-day tours
First-timers’ orientation
Opening general session
Welcoming reception/exhibit grand opening
Monday, April 22
Full- and half-day tours
Keynote breakfast
Exhibit hall open
Safety training workshop
Utility cost control workshop
Options, futures, and derivatives workshop
Spouse workshop
Nickel and stainless spotlight
Ferrous spotlight
Meet the consumers networking session
Tuesday, April 23
Full-day tours
Board of directors meeting
Exhibit hall open
Lead-acid battery handling workshop
Clean Air Act compliance workshop
International trading rules workshop
Exhibit hall luncheon
Spouse workshop
Lead and zinc spotlight
General session
Nonmetallics spotlight
Nonmetallics networking reception
Wednesday, April 24
Full- and half-day tours
General session
Electronic communication services workshop
Presentation skills workshop
Copper spotlight
Spouse program and luncheon
Aluminum spotlight
Board of directors/officer elections
Closing reception/banquet
After-hours entertainment
It’s almost time for the scrap recycling industry’s biggest event of the year. Here’s what to expect.