Spring will soon be in the air and that will hopefully mean an uptick in construction projects that will put demolition crews to work and generate C&D debris for recycling facilities to process. It also means it is the time of year when tradeshows and conferences again will offer up educational and networking opportunities that could mean learning about a new project, technology upgrade or innovative way of operating—all of which can lead to improving business. Educational sessions and networking with colleagues and equipment and service suppliers can provide invaluable information or a meaningful connection.
Three of the biggest conferences and trade shows attracting the C&D recycling and demolition industries are the National Demolition Association (NDA) Annual Convention, C&D World and WasteExpo. All of these events offer their own variations of programming and exhibitors to target specific areas of waste, recycling or demolition, and each has plenty to offer.
After a couple of tough years for these industries, the timing of gaining information and meeting new people at a trade show couldn’t be better.
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ISRI Annual Convention Raises the Stakes For C&D recyclers interested in learning more about scrap metals and other commodities, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI) Annual Convention presents an opportunity. Slated for April 15 to 19 at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, the 2012 ISRI Convention and Exposition is billed by ISRI as “the largest meeting of scrap recyclers in the world,” attracting an estimated 5,000 recyclers and hundreds of exhibitors. Workshops on recycling topics will be held throughout the conference, including ferrous, copper, aluminum and and lead/zinc/tin scrap; plastic and paper scrap; obsolete electronics; and scrap tires. “ISRI's Commodity Spotlight programs have become world famous for providing attendees with insights into the factors and conditions that will impact commodity markets in the short and long-term,” says the organization’s website. In addition, during the Chair-Elect’s General Session, April 19, George W. Bush, 43rd president of the United States, will address attendees about the George W. Bush Institute and its mission to turn ideas into action. More information is available at www.isriconvention.org. |
NDA Annual Convention, March 11-14
The 39th Annual NDA Convention will be held March 11-14 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. They say everything is bigger in Texas, and true to form, exhibit sales are going extremely well for this year’s convention in San Antonio after being flat the past two years, according to Mike Taylor, NDA executive director. Sponsorship has also increased for the convention.
The exhibit hall opens at 11:30 a.m. on March 11. Then, on March 12, the programming kicks off with keynote speaker Dr. Anirban Basu, chief economist for ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) and CFMA (Construction Financial Management Association) in a session titled, “Understanding the Construction Economy – Your 19th Nervous Breakdown.”
Then George Hedley will give a session titled, “Get Your Business to Grow & Profit in a Tough Economy.” Later that evening, buses will leave for Cowboy Dance Hall for an evening of rodeo, country western music, line dancing, armadillo races, mechanical bull riding and Texas barbecue.
On March 12, Daniel Rieber will start off the educational sessions by discussing the “Ferrari Hydraulic Demolition Method,” which Taylor says is a “relatively new technology” that uses hydraulic jacks and gravity to take down structures. Also, Drew Lammers of Cohen Brothers and Jim Lawrence of ISA Alloys will speak about “Values in Scrap.” Then, Mitch Nelson of Fireman’s Fund will present a session titled “Are Your Insurance Claims Helping You Manage Your Risks?”
According to the NDA website, its convention is the “largest exhibition of demolition equipment, products and services in the world.”
More information is available at www.demolitionassociation.com.
C&D World, March 25-27
C&D World, the annual meeting of the Construction and Materials Recycling Association (CMRA) will be held March 25-27 at the Nashville Convention Center. CMRA President Bill Turley says the event is being held at a convention center this year to “better accommodate the growing size of C&D World.”
More than 300 C&D recyclers are expected as well as about 50 exhibitors. As of late December 2012, Turley indicated several exhibitor contracts had been signed that will involve large pieces of equipment being on the show floor.
The program, subject to change, will focus on markets for end products and better processing techniques. Sessions on March 25 include “Tires, Wires, and Plastics Recycling” and an “Update on Dust Control.”
On March 26, the keynote session, “What the Construction Industry Expects from C&D Recyclers,” will be given by Michael Deane, vice president of sustainability, Turner Construction. Other sessions that morning include “The Situation in the C&D Biomass Market,” given by Ray Crabbs of Green Energy Group and “How to Deal with Regulators,” presented by Gary Sondermeyer, Bayshore Recycling. Afternoon sessions include, “Explanation of New LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Changes and CORR (Certification of Recycling Rates),” given by Brad Guy of Catholic University and JW Spear of the Institute for Certification of Sustainable Recyclers.
On March 27, “Shingle Recycling” will be the topic of the first session presented by Mostafa Elseifi, an engineer and assistant professor at Louisiana State University. “Security Issues in C&D” will be presented by Stephen Turner of Tattletale. The CMRA Annual Meeting will follow.
“There will be a heavy emphasis on the effect of green building programs and the CMRA’s response to problems in that arena, as well as discussions on regulatory problems for C&D recyclers,” Turley adds.
“The C&D and demolition industries are facing difficult times as the regulatory burdens put on the industry have increased in recent years, putting a squeeze on end markets,” Turley says. “C&D World, the annual meeting of the CMRA, will be showing solutions to those issues and how the CMRA has responded. There will be more major players in the recycling and demolition industries than other venues.”
More information about C&D World is available at www.cdworldmag.com.
Waste Expo, April 30-May 3
The 2012 edition of WasteExpo will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with the conference program taking place April 30-May 2 and the exhibition taking place May 1-3. Conference organizer Rita Ugianskis-Fishman, managing director, Waste Industry Group, Penton Media, says there is always a lot of excitement surrounding the show’s return to Las Vegas. The show attracts an average of 11,000 to 12,000 people each year and has more than 550 exhibitors.
“In addition to a vast exhibit hall experience, and in-depth educational and training menu and unmatched networking opportunities with colleagues from the U.S. and abroad, there is no better place to have a great time with colleagues, friends and family,” says Ugianskis-Fishman.
The WasteExpo conference program is comprised of 40 sessions on the following tracks relevant to the solid waste and recycling industry:
- Recycling
- Recycling Markets
- Recycling Commodities
- Sustainability
- Money
- Business
- Law
- Worker Health
- Safety
- Collection
- Collection E-Tools
- Technology
Of particular interest to C&D recyclers is a session May 1 from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. titled “Construction and Demolition Debris: Processing Trends.”
More information is available at www.wasteexpo.com.
The author is associate editor of Construction & Demolition Recycling and can be reached at ksmith@gie.net.
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