January/February 1997
When ReMA returns to Las Vegas in March, it will not only host the world’s largest annual gathering of scrap recyclers, but also celebrate its 10th anniversary. Here’s a sneak peek at the event’s offerings.
Every scrap recycler knows that ISRI’s annual convention and exposition is the world’s largest scrap industry event. Yet this year, the gala event—slated for March 15-19 at the Mirage in Las Vegas—also serves as the association’s 10th anniversary celebration.
The convention’s theme—Pride in Our Industry—reflects not only the association’s pride in reaching this milestone, but also the industry’s collective pride in its record throughout its long history.
And at this year’s landmark gathering, there will be no shortage of outlets through which members can exhibit this pride— programs designed to increase their professional performance, networking opportunities for becoming an active part of the scrap community, and a host of social events, heralding not only their own accomplishments, but those of their industry.
Getting Down to Business
As in past years, ISRI’s 1997 convention will offer a panoply of informative professional workshops, seminars, and commodity spotlights. Unlike previous years, each day’s programs will be centered around a theme.
Day one of the convention—Saturday, March 15—is devoted to leadership development, the focal point being a workshop designed to assist ReMA chapter leaders in performing their responsibilities. Committee and division meetings will also begin on Saturday and continue through Sunday, March 16, when activities will focus on governance issues.
On Monday, March 17, the focus is fiscal management. After a keynote breakfast, the day’s slate includes presentations on the following: asset protection and tax law changes affecting small firms; how to purchase scrap through federal government sales; and how to properly assess the value of your business, as well as an open mike session sponsored by the Consumers Council during which attendees are encouraged to air their concerns and pose questions.
The ferrous spotlight—the first of the convention’s six commodity-focused programs—rounds out a full day of programs and is followed, first, by the national board of directors meeting and, second, by the “Meet Your Consumer” reception. Here, processors, brokers, and consumers can come together in a social setting to cement existing relationships and forge new ones.
Company systems that can increase productivity and profit are the emphasis on Tuesday, March 18. The day begins with a general session, featuring the husband-and-wife team of James Carville and Mary Matalin, respectively the senior political adviser to President Clinton and George Bush’s deputy campaign manager. Together, they will reveal how the political system really works.
Tuesday’s workshops will cover an array of topics, including a long-term look at automobile and appliance recycling. Other topics include electronic data interchange, tapping a spouse’s resources as a valuable asset to your business, and properly determining your operating costs.
The day comes to a close with two more commodity spotlights—this time on copper and paper—and the New Executive Council’s reception, which is open to all convention first-timers, young scrap executives, and professionals new to the industry.
On Wednesday, March 19, government policy, regulations, and politics take center stage. After a morning session featuring George Bush, meetings focus on how to hire and keep dedicated employees, UBC quality, and ISO 14000, the international environmental management standard.
Spotlights on nickel/stainless steel, lead/zinc, and aluminum round out the convention’s formal programs.
Time for Fun
All work and no play would make for a rather dull convention, so ReMA has punctuated the business-related offerings with a healthy variety of social events, excursions, and extracurricular activities.
On Sunday, convention goers can enjoy a full-day escape on a tour to Red Rock Canyon with its 2,000-foot sandstone cliffs and 150-million-year-old sand dunes, boulders, and streams. The tour includes lunch and a 13-mile drive along the scenic loop.
Another option is the Grand Canyon deluxe tour, which affords a spectacular view of the seventh natural wonder of the world from a 19-passenger aircraft. After the flyover, buses will whisk participants off to the South Rim for 21/2 hours of sightseeing, including admission to the IMAX theatre and a buffet lunch. The tour will also run on Thursday after the convention.
After a day of touring, attendees can kick off the convention in grand style at Sunday evening’s 10th anniversary gala welcome reception. Festivities will be held in and officially open the exposition hall, which encompasses nearly 200 indoor exhibits plus an impressive outdoor display of equipment.
The fun continues on Monday with a half-day tour titled “Showbiz: Backstage at Bally’s” in which showgirls lead guests through the “Jubilee” show’s backstage. Then it’s on to the Liberace Museum to view his unique costumes, cars, jewelry, and pianos.
On Tuesday, the “Home Express” half-day tour offers conventiongoers a peek inside two private estates—the Underground House, one of seven in the world, and Paradise Ranch, which was featured in the movie “Casino.”
Recyclers can also enjoy a complimentary barbecue luncheon in the exhibit hall on Tuesday and take a last look at the displays before the doors close at 4 p.m.
On Wednesday, one of Las Vegas’ most popular excursions is offered as a day trip. After crossing the 72-concrete stories of the Hoover Dam, sightseers can tour the inner works and powerhouse. The dam blocks the Colorado River to contain Lake Meade, the world’s largest manmade reservoir and a national recreation area. The tour includes history, photo ops, and plenty of walking, plus lunch.
Wednesday night wraps up the convention with a lavish reception, banquet, and show, which will feature pop divas the Pointer Sisters. Afterward, attendees can wind down in the piano lounge with a post-prandial cordial.
And just in case all of these activities don’t fit the bill, Las Vegas—the self-proclaimed entertainment capital of the world—offers nonstop diversions for every taste (see “Quirky Things to Do in the Capital of Kitsch” on page 80).
Joining the Celebration
Convinced that this year’s convention is a can’t-miss event? Here’s what you need to do and know to attend.
Register. Fill out a convention registration form and return it to International Conference Management, 4709 Montgomery Lane, First Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814. Don’t have a form? Call Courtesy Associates Inc., 202/639-4182.
Registration fees are lowest ($450 per person for members and exhibitors; $650 for nonmembers, spouses, and guests) before Jan. 17, slightly higher ($500 per person for members; $700 for others) until Feb. 14, and highest ($550 per person for members; $750 for others) afterward.
Reserve a Room. Convention registration does not include hotel reservations, and you must make reservations directly with the Mirage or Treasure Island at the Mirage using a separate registration card. The hotels will not accept reservations by phone. Again, contact Courtesy Associates if you have not received a hotel registration card.
ISRI has secured special discounted rates at both hotels for convention attendees. The Mirage rate is $119 per night, plus tax, with an additional charge of $30 for each guest over double occupancy. Rates at Treasure Island are $105 per night, plus tax, with an additional charge of $25 for each guest over double occupancy. Room reservations must be made by Feb. 16 to guarantee these special rates. After the hotel receives a guarantee by major credit card or check, it will send a confirmation via mail.
Make Travel Arrangements. Twenty-seven airlines—a total of 840 commercial flights—land daily at McCarran International Airport, located one mile from the Las Vegas Strip (about a 20-minute drive or an $8 to $12 cab ride).
Convention attendees qualify for special savings with Delta Airlines and USAir—5 percent off already-discounted fares and 10 percent off unrestricted fares. Be sure to mention ISRI’s identification codes—File #DMNJVT0082 for Delta and Gold File #92990026 for USAir—when you call for reservations. Also, you can receive 500 frequent flyer miles with Delta or USAir if you lease a car from Alamo Rent-A-Car. Just show your boarding pass and frequent flyer card to the ticket agent.
Pack Up Your Old Kit Bag. The weather in Las Vegas is consistently warm and dry. In March, the average temperature is 57 degrees, with highs up to 69 degrees. Since the city has nearly 320 sunny days a year, there is an 88-percent chance that the weather will be fair. Pack accordingly—a sweater for golf, glam rags for evening shows, and comfortable shoes for shopping forays.
Quirky Things to Do in the Capital of Kitsch
Anything you could possibly want to do is possible in the entertainment capital of the world. Here are some esoteric options in and around Las Vegas.
The Fremont Experience. In 1995, the old Glitter Gulch was given a $70-million facelift. The result? The five-block stretch of Fremont Street between Las Vegas Boulevard and Main Street is now a traffic-free pedestrian mall, lined with world-famous casinos. Now a venue for street performers and outdoor festivals, the street also features a computer-driven light and sound show every hour between dusk and 11 p.m. The animated experience plays on a 90-foot-high canopy covering 4 acres of the street, creating a skyborne stage for dancing and moving images.
Flyaway Indoor Skydiving. On Convention Center Drive, you can fly without wings in this 21-foot vertical wind tunnel.
Imperial Palace Auto Collection. On Las Vegas Boulevard South, there are more than 200 antique, classic, and special interest automobiles in a gallery on the fifth floor of the hotel’s parking facility.
Liberace Museum. On East Tropicana Avenue, this is home to the glittery performer’s cars, pianos, wardrobe, and memorabilia, not to mention the world’s largest rhinestone. If you don’t go with ISRI’s tour “Showbiz: Backstage at Bally’s,” take the time to visit yourself.
Cranberry World West. Located in Henderson, 12 miles east of Las Vegas, this museum affords a look at Ocean Spray’s bottling plant, hands-on displays, free juice and food samples, cooking demonstrations, and theater.
Kidd’s Marshmallow Factory. Also in Henderson, the factory offers a free self-guided tour and a bag of marshmallows for each visitor.
These suggestions barely scratch the surface. There’s also Bruno’s Turquoise Museum, Ron Lee’s World of Clowns, 29 golf courses, Wet n’ Wild theme park...
For more on these and other attractions, consult free local magazines such as Vegas Visitor, What’s On in Las Vegas, Showbiz Weekly, and Where To in Las Vegas, available at most hotel desks. Also ask at the desk for a coupon book with tickets redeemable for everything from a free meal to a free play on a slot machine.
You can also stop by the visitor information booth in the Las Vegas Convention Center at Paradise Road and Convention Center Drive, or call the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, 702/892-0711. •
When ReMA returns to Las Vegas in March, it will not only host the world’s largest annual gathering of scrap recyclers, but also celebrate its 10th anniversary. Here’s a sneak peek at the event’s offerings.