Whether it’s a time-saving process, a way to make a yard safer, or planning the succession in a family business—knowledge is never a waste. Now there’s a chance to share the knowledge and expertise you’ve accumulated with the largest gathering of recyclers in the world. “If you’ve ever been at an ISRI convention and heard some information that you wish someone had told you before, you’re not alone,” says Rebecca Turner, ISRI’s vice president of education and events. “Every member company has an experience or a lessons-learned story that other recyclers can relate to or learn from to make us all better at what we do. It’s about members creating education for members.”
ISRI2021 had only just wrapped up when organizers began preparing for next year’s convention and expo. ISRI2022 will be March 21-24, 2022, in Las Vegas. ISRI is seeking high-quality session proposals that address a full range of issues facing recycling companies that process, broker, and consume recycled commodities. Time slots are available in 20-, 45-, and 60-minute increments. You don’t have to be an ISRI member, but presentations should relate to these areas:
- Business management and operations.
- Environmental compliance and sustainability.
- Federal, state, and local issues, including community relations and outreach.
- Recycling industry commodities including domestic and global trading.
- Safety and security.
- Technology and innovation.
- Transportation
Presenters will have the opportunity to address professionals in recycling and related industries who seek advice and information from the most qualified sources available. Audience levels include those with little or no prior knowledge of the subject matter, and those with experience who wish to develop a more in-depth mastery of a topic. The workshops and sessions presented at ISRI2022 will provide attendees with cutting-edge information they can use to run their businesses smarter, safer, and more profitably. ISRI’s annual convention and expo typically attracts 5,000 attendees and exhibitors; 20% report being first-time attendees.
“What we’re looking for in proposals is something that can deliver needed information to our members in a way that is not a corporate advertisement,” says Stephen Moss, ISRI Convention Committee chair and vice president at Stanton A. Moss Inc. “The less you say about your company and what it does—other than that you do it—the better.” Session attendees want varied learning experiences, so consider proposing small-group exercises, real-life case studies, or large-group problem solving. Be creative with how you use the workshop time and share your content with attendees.
If you would like to submit a session proposal, please do so on or before Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Only fully completed proposals submitted by the Aug. 3 deadline will be considered. The proposal process is easy: Answering just a few questions will help determine if your proposed session is a fit for the event. In addition, if you have a few minutes available during your July committee, division, and council meetings, consider adding an agenda item about what your group plans for ISRI2022 education sessions.
Session speakers receive complimentary registration to the convention and expo, and it’s a great way to support the recycling community. “Write your session description from the perspective of what attendees will gain from participating; the audience wants to know what’s in it for them,” Turner explains. She adds reviewers give a lot of consideration to how you describe the session content, and if your proposal is accepted, ISRI will promote it based on the description you give.
Even if your presentation topic is not accepted, you may be considered as a panelist for a group discussion, Moss says. “Or you may propose something that stimulates something in the convention planning group that gives us an idea to create something totally different that involves part of that idea,” he continues. “Although it’s hard to predict what will be the hot topics in recycling next March, we will do our best to create sessions on whatever the hot topics are, and will be looking to build on our logistics programing from ISRI2021.”
For ISRI2022 exhibitor or sponsorship information, contact Jason Glei, ISRI’s vice president of marketing. For the first time since 2019, the convention and expo is an in-person experience—so bring comfortable shoes and be prepared to shake a lot of hands!
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.
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