Power Through Professionalism—ISRI Convention Guide

Most visitors to Orlando come in search of fun in the sun and/or a good time at one of the area’s many theme parks.

Scrap recyclers attending ISRI’s 12th annual convention and exposition, to be held April 13-17 in Orlando, can find all of that, to be sure. But they can also find newfound  “Power Through Professionalism”—the theme of this year’s event. What does it mean to achieve “Power Through Professionalism” and how can you do it?

Simple.

It means raising your professional knowledge and skills. How? Through the convention’s workshops, general sessions, commodity spotlights, networking functions, and exposition. All in the unbeatable locations of Orlando—reportedly the most popular U.S. vacation destination—and Marriott’s Orlando World Center, the world-class resort that hosted the 1993 and 1996 ReMA conventions.

This guide reviews what’s planned and how to get the most from this year’s big scrap industry event.

Feeling the Power

As is the custom, the first two days of the convention, April 13-14, are dedicated to ReMA governance, with meetings of the committees and divisions. You can exercise your power of participation by attending these meetings and contributing your thoughts on important issues from ISRI’s 1999 Superfund strategy to shredder benchmarking to safety. (For a full listing of the convention’s schedule, see the “Schedule of Events” on pages 58 and 59.)

These meetings wrap up April 14 with a new feature at this year’s convention—a casual poolside reception, which will have a Caribbean feel thanks to steel drums and a fire limbo show. This laid-back gathering, to be held around the hotel’s large free-form pool, will enable you to plug into the power of old relationships and make new connections.

The next morning, April 15, launches the convention’s schedule of programs with the first of three “power breakfasts”—one for each of the main convention days. Former presidential candidate Bob Dole will get the day—and convention—rolling with an inspirational talk that draws from his experiences as a platoon leader in World War II, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, chairman of the Republican Party, nominee for vice president, Senate majority leader, and 1996 presidential candidate.

That night, you can pick up where you left off at the poolside reception by attending the gala reception and grand opening of the exhibit hall (which is open through Friday and Saturday). The exposition will showcase the equipment, products, and services of more than 140 exhibitors occupying more than 205 booths. In addition to expanding your knowledge—and power—by checking out the indoor exhibits, you can head for the outdoor equipment display, which will be transformed into “Power Beach.” As you stroll amidst towering cranes and other processing and handling equipment, you’ll think you’re at a genuine beach party, complete with sand, beach balls, and “Snack Shack.”

But don’t party too hearty because you wouldn’t want to miss the April 16 power breakfast featuring Capt. Scott O’Grady, the renowned U.S. Air Force pilot who was shot down over Bosnia in June 1995. 

O’Grady survived six days in enemy territory, narrowly avoiding capture and subsisting on a diet of leaves, insects, and rainwater. Since this near-death experience, O’Grady has become an acclaimed motivational speaker on the importance of positive thinking, prioritization, and troubleshooting.

The following morning, Mike McCurry—former White House press secretary and assistant to President Clinton—headlines the final power breakfast, giving recyclers a feel for what life was like behind the podium and behind the scenes in Washington. As press secretary, McCurry developed a reputation for being witty, candid, and quick, epitomizing the concept of “Power Through Professionalism” in his always-challenging job.

Throughout the convention, don’t neglect to cruise down “Power Drive,” located opposite the exhibit hall. On this drive, you can check out a variety of ReMA specialty stores, including Shelley’s Hardware, which will feature Tool Box Talks, a series of brief but informative presentations offered by exhibitors; Chapter Depot, a minimall of displays sponsored by ReMA chapters; and ScrapBooks & Café ISRI, where you can review and buy invaluable ReMA products—books, videotapes, and other publications—as well as books written by convention speakers. (As a bonus, you can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while you’re perusing.)

Power Drive is also home to the ReMA SuperStore, where you can find everything you need to know about ISRI’s programs and services; ISRI’s Internet Center, where you can surf both the ReMA and Scrap Web sites; and ScrapKids, which offers organized programs and events for children of various ages (so dad and mom can check out the exhibit hall or other convention programs). 

Let the Programs Begin

If those power- and professionalism-building offerings aren’t enough, there’s always the full schedule of workshops and commodity spotlights offered over the three main convention days. These programs are designed to help you expand your knowledge in areas from commodity market trends to safety to insurance to environmental compliance practices.

The schedule kicks off April 15 after Bob Dole’s power breakfast with an updated look at the scrap industry consolidation trend. Is it over? What’s happened to the major consolidators? What could happen in 1999 and beyond? Providing answers to these questions and more will be Paul Higbee of BT Alex. Brown Inc. (New York City) and another market expert.

Next, you have your choice of two concurrent power-building sessions: The first examines employment practices liability. Daniel Cacchione of CNA Unisource and Judi Kahn of CNA Commercial Insurance, both in Chicago, will discuss how to protect yourself from employment practices lawsuits filed by disgruntled employees, rejected job applicants, or ex-employees, which can cost upward of $20,000 a day.

The other concurrent program reviews how to get the most out of your ReMA membership. Four ReMA directors will review ISRI’s services in the areas of programs, communications, government relations, membership, and more in an effort to answer the question, “What has ReMA done lately to help you with your bottom line?”

After lunch, the focus turns to safety and how to break through the illiteracy barrier to keep your employees safe. In an interactive presentation, Mike Mattia, ISRI’s director of risk management, will teach how to deliver a fun, interesting, and informative safety training session for your employees that conveys key safety information in a format they’ll understand.

If commodities are more up your alley, you can attend a concurrent session on commodity futures markets, with an emphasis on understanding the basics of technical analysis and the decision-making processes of commodity and hedge funds. Tony Wolfskill of Merrill Lynch (New York City) will be your guide through this challenging but important topic.

That program is followed by two of ISRI’s ever-popular commodity spotlights. The first—on lead and zinc—will feature Jost-Hinrich Stachow of Metallhandel (Goslar, Germany) and other experts in those fields. The second spotlight—on copper—will offer market insight from James Steel of Refco Inc. (New York City), among others.

Focusing on Nonmetallics

Friday, April 16, marks another first at this year’s convention—it’s a day specially planned with the interests of paper and other nonmetallic recyclers in mind. After the morning’s power breakfast, for instance, the day begins with a special program on scrap paper grades and quality, with an eye toward mill requirements, contaminant control, and improving quality through teamwork among mills, packers, and brokers. Ralph Simon of Southeast Paper Recycling Co. (Marietta, Ga.), Roy Geigel of Fox Fiver Fiber Co. (De Pere, Wis.), and other paper professionals will be your guides on this topic.

The day’s nonmetallic focus continues with the meeting of the nonmetallic division in the afternoon, followed first by a workshop on plastic scrap, then by the paper spotlight, which will examine what’s happened—and what’s in store—in the scrap paper markets. Leading this session will be paper pros Phil Alpert of National Fiber Supply Co. (Chicago), John Ockenfels of City Carton Co. Inc. (Iowa City, Iowa), Gil Copeland of Fortifiber Corp. (Hanahan, S.C.), and others.

[Don’t despair, metal recyclers, your interests are being addressed at the aluminum spotlight, also in the afternoon, featuring Mike Newman of Alusuisse-Lonza America Inc. (Fair Lawn, N.J.) and Parks Dodd of CRU International (Atlanta).]

In the evening, recyclers of all scrap commodities can benefit from attending the Meet Your Consumer reception, where processors, brokers, and consumers can build on existing relationships and forge new ones in a social setting. Attendees can find those with similar interests by gathering in specially designated areas for each commodity. This event truly offers something for everyone.

A Technology Kind of Day

One more day to go! Saturday, April 17, is equally jam-packed with great workshops. Following the power breakfast, recyclers who’ve been named potentially responsible parties—PRPs—under Superfund can get pointers on how to get their insurance carriers to pay for their Superfund compliance. Attorneys Samuel Bearman of Samuel W. Bearman P.A. (Pensacola, Fla.) and Steve Dolmanisth of Andersen, Kill and Olick (Washington, D.C.) will discuss the defenses insurance companies use to avoid paying environmental claims and why they should pay many, if not all, such claims.

This session is followed by two concurrent workshops on different types of technology. The first focuses on computer technology, specifically the ReMA Web site and how you can get the most from it. Here you’ll learn how to access the Internet, locate ISRI’s site, explore the site’s various pages and information offerings, and link to other industry-related Web sites (including Scrap’s).

The other concurrent technology session will look at environmental technologies. Fred Cornell of Camden Iron & Metal Inc. (Camden, N.J.), David Kendziorski of Kendziorski Environmental Services Inc. (Pewaukee, Wis.), and Jay Diebold of MET/Envirogen (Pewaukee, Wis.) will be your hosts in this review of the latest and best equipment and practices to help you address source control, storm water, ground contamination, and other issues.

The focus turns back to computers in the afternoon, this time with a look at the much-ballyhooed Year 2000—or Y2K—“crisis.” What havoc will the so-called millennium bug wreak in your company? Will your firm be ready? Mike Wendland, author of The Complete No Geek-Speak Guide to the Internet and NBC News high-tech reporter, will tell how to assess your computer systems, check compliance with customers, and establish damage control.

Or, if you’ve already squashed the millennium bug problem in your company, you can attend a concurrent workshop on how to retain good employees through low-cost or nonmonetary incentives. In these times of low unemployment rates, what could be more timely? Offering insight on this topic will be scrap veterans David Caffee of Montgomery Scrap Corp. (Rockville, Md.) and Bob Toth of Annaco Inc. (Akron, Ohio).

The convention’s full slate of programs reaches its finale with the final two commodity spotlights on nickel/stainless steel, featuring John Smillie of Falconbridge Ltd. (Toronto) and Doug Upton of HSBC Securities (London), and ferrous, with market perspective provided by Robert Winters of Bear Stearns (New York City) and others.

Out and About

It would be a crime, of course, to visit Orlando and not sample some of its many diversions and amenities.

To that end, ReMA is offering an enticing selection of optional half-day and full-day tours, beginning April 15 with a visit to the Kennedy Space Center. Anyone with an interest in space exploration will enjoy visiting the center’s space station and launch observation tower, launch control center, crawlerway, Saturn V center, and related exhibits and museums.

Or, if you have a more botanical bent, there’s a tour of the Henry P. Leu Gardens, with its formal rose garden, camellia collection, grand old oak trees, 50-foot floral clock, and Leu House Museum. The tour culminates with lunch at Church Street Station, a restaurant and shopping complex in historic downtown Orlando.

On April 16, you can partake in a shop-till-you-drop tour that begins with a champagne mimosa and pastry breakfast, followed by an exclusive shopping spree at Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet Stores. A special drawing will be held in which one lucky shopper will receive a $100 gift certificate.

If you prefer to keep your credit cards cool, there’s a VIP tour of Universal Studios. In this “backdoor” visit, you’ll learn the secrets, stories, and legends of Universal’s past and have a chance to explore the theme park, back-lot sets, and soundstage areas, and use the priority entrance to exciting rides.

The final two tours, on Saturday, April 17, get a little wilder with a wildlife safari and airboat adventure at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. You’ll spot native birds, alligators, and manatees in their natural habitat. After lunch at a 100-year-old fish camp, the tour continues with a 35-minute airboat ride on the St. John’s River and Bald Cypress Swamp.

If you prefer yachts to airboats, the last tour is for you. At Portobello’s Yacht Club, you can revel in fine food and wine. As you indulge in the club’s contemporary regional Italian cuisine, its wine sommelier will explain proper wine-tasting etiquette and service, review basic wine terminology, and instruct about proper food and wine pairings. Afterward, you can shop at specialty shops in the nearby Disney’s Marketplace and Pleasure Island.

Of course, you can always venture out on your own in Orlando and beyond. (For some options, check out the convention preview in the January/February issue.)

As at all ReMA conventions, the problem is always wanting to do it all but having to make choices. The good part is that no matter what you decide, you’re bound to have an educational and fun time. •