ISRI 2003 Convention Exposition Preview—Outstanding Orlando
Jun 9, 2014, 09:16 AM
January/February 2003
Why should you attend ISRI’s 2003 convention and exposition in Orlando? Let us count the reasons.
The reasons for attending ISRI’s annual convention and exposition are as varied and individual as the thousands of attendees themselves. For those who have never experienced an ReMA convention, for those on the fence, or for those who could just stand a friendly reminder, here we offer nine great reasons to “be there” at ISRI’s 2003 convention, to be held April 8-12 in Orlando, Fla.
New-and-Improved Digs: For the fourth time, ReMA brings its convention to the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort & Convention Center. Since ISRI’s last convention there in 1999, however, the Orlando World Center Marriott (below) has undergone a $100-million renovation and expansion program to make itself an even better facility for both business and pleasure.
This premier convention resort offers 2,000 rooms and 107 suites on 28 floors, with each room featuring all the amenities a business or family traveler could want. Within its 200-acre estate, the resort also offers a “vast array of recreational options,” including the Hawk’s Landing 18-hole golf course, six pools (including two for children), a 24-hour fitness center, a full-service spa, four lighted tennis courts, a children’s playground, and so much more.
Hungry? No need to travel far, thanks to the resort’s five on-site restaurants—which offer everything from Japanese to Italian to American fare—as well as its food court, coffee shop, and various bars and lounges. With so many offerings, it’s easy to make the Orlando World Center Marriott your home away from home during the ReMA convention.
Invaluable Workshops and Spotlights: ISRI’s convention has always offered a wealth of informative workshops designed to help scrap professionals operate their businesses more efficiently, environmentally, safely, and profitably.
The 2003 convention continues that tradition through its 15 educational workshops that are grouped into the following five color-coded tracks based on broad topic areas: black (finance/bottom line), red (safety), green (environment/compliance), blue (legislative/legal), and gold (trade/commerce). New this year, four of the workshops are specifically designed to appeal to operators of small scrap businesses.
In addition, this year’s convention offers ISRI’s customary roster of commodity spotlights in which experts analyze the past performance and future prospects for aluminum, copper, ferrous, lead/zinc, nickel/stainless, paper, electronics, and scrap tires/rubber. Together, the ReMA workshops and spotlights ensure that attendees get some real take-home value for their convention investment. (For a sneak peek at the full slate of convention workshops and spotlights, see the Schedule of Events on page 60.)
Stimulating General Sessions: An ReMA convention wouldn’t be an ReMA convention without some big-name general sessions to kick off each morning. This year, ReMA takes you to the moon—literally—through Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell and his ground-based counterpart Gene Kranz, who will recount the story of a mission gone wrong and the struggle to find a new path home to safety. This inspirational story will be followed the next morning by author, lecturer, and innovation expert Robert Tucker, who will lead a panel discussion on how scrap recyclers can chart a new course in troubled waters. The final morning will take a left turn into the humorous mind of comedian and satirist Al Franken, who will entertain and enlighten attendees with his own exploration of today’s events.
Networking Opportunities Galore: Though the entire ReMA convention can be viewed as one big nonstop networking opportunity, the association makes a point of offering events focused exclusively on networking. The most well-known of these events is the meet-your-consumer reception, which brings together buyers and sellers of every major scrap commodity to reaffirm existing relationships and forge new ones in a relaxed, social setting. Attendees can also continue their networking activities in the ReMA hospitality lounge, the exhibition hall, the hotel’s many inviting social areas, and more.
A Don’t-Miss Exposition: As always, ISRI’s annual convention offers the best and biggest scrap-industry exposition that showcases the latest and greatest equipment, products, services, and technology for recycling operations. This year, the exhibition—always a highlight of the ReMA convention—will include more than 150 exhibiting companies showing their wares in both indoor booths and outdoor equipment displays.
As in previous years, the ReMA exposition kicks off with a gala opening reception in the exhibition hall. For the following two days, attendees can “walk the floor” while also enjoying luncheons in the exhibit hall both days. (For exhibition hours, see the Schedule of Events on page 60. For a preliminary list of exhibitors, see page 61.)
Final-Night Fun: A convention as great and exciting as ISRI’s deserves a thrilling wrap-up. This year, ReMA convention attendees will be transported in luxury motorcoaches to a thrilling location indeed—Universal Studios Florida’s Islands of Adventure theme park.
In addition to enjoying an evening of fine food and drink, attendees will have the run of The Lost Continent section of the park, which includes awe-inspiring stunt shows and heartstopping rides. The evening opens, for instance, with the Eighth Voyage of Sindbad, a live-action production in an open-air stadium that features death-defying stunts and breathtaking feats as Sindbad attempts to rescue princess Amoura from the evil witch Miseria.
To keep your heart pounding, jump aboard the Dueling Dragons, which is billed as “the world’s first inverted near-miss dueling roller coaster.” Two unique coasters—the Fire Dragon and the Ice Dragon—soar 125 feet in the air and reach speeds of 55 mph as they race on their near-miss course. The Lost Continent also boasts Poseidon’s Fury, which allows you to tour the remains of the ancient temple of Poseidon, as well as the Flying Unicorn, a tamer ride for the young and young at heart. The evening promises to be a memorable closing to ISRI’s 2003 convention.
Great Programs for Spouses and Children: Given the many charms of the Orlando World Center Marriott and the Orlando area in general, many attendees are sure to want to bring their spouses and children. To make sure these special audiences get the most from the ReMA convention experience, the association is offering a slate of six spouse workshops on topics from feng shui to self-defense to golf instruction as well as on-site children’s programs that will entertain the kids so mom and dad can explore the exposition, general sessions, and other convention events.
Attendees who want to mix some off-site adventure with their on-site experiences can sign up for two optional tours—one to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and a combination forest hike/airboat expedition of the St. John’s River. (See the Schedule of Events on page 60 for dates and times.)
Orlando’s Allure: Just as there’s no lack of things to do at ISRI’s convention, there’s also a world of attractions in and around Orlando to please every adventurous spirit—from downtown Orlando to Walt Disney World to SeaWorld to the Orlando Museum of Art, and much more. Or, if you need a beach fix, you can reach the Atlantic Coast in less than an hour or the Gulf Coast in less than two hours.
Golf for a Good Cause: Talk about a win-win situation—ISRI convention attendees can play a round of golf on the Orlando World Center Marriott’s Hawk’s Landing course while helping raise funds for ISRI’s Recycling Research Foundation, which advances the scrap industry through special research projects. This worthy event is slated for April 13—the day after the ReMA convention—with play commencing at 7:30 a.m. by a shotgun start. (For more information, contact John Hayworth, ISRI’s director of environmental compliance, at 202/662-8533 or johnhayworth@isri.org.)
These nine reasons only scratch the surface for why you should attend ISRI’s 2003 convention—but you get the idea. Don’t miss the premier scrap-industry event of the year. See you in Orlando!
Editor’s Note: In late November, ReMA sent all members a complete convention preview with registration and hotel reservation forms. You can also find these forms, which note registration and reservation fees and deadlines, as well as up-to-date convention information on ISRI’s Web site at www.isri.org. For general convention information, call ReMA at 202/737-1770. •
Why should you attend ISRI’s 2003 convention and exposition in Orlando? Let us count the reasons.