WasteExpo, North America’s largest event serving the $55 billion solid waste & recycling industry was held May 3-6 in Atlanta, with a show that was well-received by both exhibitors and attendees. WasteExpo featured over 537 exhibitors (up from 486 in 2009) which includes 157 new exhibitors to the show. Networking special events occurred throughout the 4 days, and 40 conference sessions and workshops which covered critical industry topics including tracks on Recycling, Green Management, Business & Finance, Labor & Employment, Technology, Safety, Community Relations, Employee Relations, Politics & Law, and Transportation.
The annual show continued its mission to serve as the center of the solid waste & recycling community where participants were able to learn about the latest products, equipment and services, network with customers and partners, and learn from industry-leading experts in the content-rich conference program.
Despite the current challenging economy, WasteExpo 2010 was well attended and experienced a steady number of attendees parallel to previous years. Attendees were considered highly qualified and motivated to learn and experience what’s new in the industry.
The Waste Training Institute, an industry-specific business training initiative designed to help employees in small-, medium, and large- waste services companies run their businesses better, smarter, and more effectively, once again was held at WasteExpo. Workshops were led by industry veterans: Eddie Dick of Eddie Dick & Associates; Don Ross of Kessler Consulting, Inc.; David Biderman of the National Solid Wastes Management Association; and Del Lisk of Drive Cam, Inc. Topics covered Pricing and Costing of Services; Measuring Your Effectiveness and Productivity, and Running an Effective Driver Safety Program.
The Medical Waste Conference co-located with WasteExpo 2010, which focused on regulatory, legislative, and technical issues regarding medical waste, and showcased 24 exhibiting companies, a 26% increase from 2009. The Fluid Power Conference & Expo also co-located with WasteExpo, which focused on critical fluid power technology.
Opening night kicked off with more than 1,400 people in attendance at the Welcome Reception, “Southern Nights” sponsored by Caterpillar, at the Grand Ballroom at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center. On Tuesday morning, ticket-holders to The EIA Awards Breakfast watched as the 2010 members were inducted into the EIA’s Hall of Fame Inductees included Anthony Ciafolo of Clean Energy, Michael Cordesman of Republic Services, Inc., Bob Gregory of Texas Disposal Systems, Ronald McCracken of RJM Associates, and Garwin McNeilus of McNeilus Companies. Other awards were also given out at this highly attended event. Other special events included the Mack Driving Skills Safety Challenge, the WasteExpo International Reception for non-U.S. visitors sponsored by Golder Associates, Harris, Marathon Equipment/NEXGEN, and PTR Baler and Compactor, Boxed Lunch discussions: Contrasting Public and Private Models of Success; Public Perceptions on the Solid Waste Industry; and Management Accountability – Making Safety Part of the Evaluation Process, the Zero Waste Initiatives Breakfast forum, and closed with the final special event, the 16th Annual EREF Equipment Auction, Silent Auction and Raffle which raised over $954,000.
The EIA Women’s Council Carts On Parade fundraiser project was a smashing success at this year’s WasteExpo. Forty 96-gallon carts were decorated in the theme “Environmentalists. Every Day.SM” by sponsors or by artists commissioned by sponsors. Decorated carts came from across the country and were on display at the Georgia World Congress Center during the show. Several sponsors made this an employee team building exercise, while others worked with local groups such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Scout Troops, and grammar school classrooms. The proceeds of the sponsored carts funded the Council’s academic scholarship and environmental education programs for the solid waste and recycling industry professional.
WasteExpo’s continued success would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, Waste Age Magazine and the Environmental Industry Associations (NSWMA and WASTEC), and the support of over 35 industry publications and supporting organizations. WasteExpo is also grateful to its Advisory Committee for their insight and input in improving the show, year after year. It is these critical relationships which allow WasteExpo to continue to be the premier event for the solid waste and recycling industry it serves.
See you in Dallas next year!
Save the Date:
WasteExpo 2011
Conference: May 9-11
Exhibits: May 10-12
Dallas Convention Center
Dallas, Texas
For more information on attending or exhibiting, visit www.wasteexpo.com
