Never been easier: the Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show boasts big names in the big easy. (Paper Conference Preview).

The Paper Recycling Conference & Show intensifies in its third year as the Hyatt Regency New Orleans plays host to the program June 23-25. Amid the sites and sounds of enthralling, energetic New Orleans, paper recyclers can benefit from a variety of educational sessions geared to their interests.

Recycling Today Media Group and FibreMarketNews.com, both part of GIE Media Inc., conference, along with co-Stock Industries (PSI) Chapter of the of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc.

Show organizers have put together a program that is dedicated solely to the paper recycling professional, providing sessions that are comprehensive and targeted.

In addition to the usual two days of sessions, this year s program includes early bird workshops Sunday, June 23, on plant maintenance, safety, financial management and hedging. However, registration have not increased, remaining at $295 per PSI members and companies registering three or more delegates are eligible for a discounted rate of $245 per. Registration includes all educational sessions, conference materials an evening reception, lunch, continental breakfasts and refreshments breaks.

GROWING UP

"We're excited about this year's event because of the quality of the speakers and sessions, the growth of the exhibit hall and the continued growth in attendance," says James Keefe, publisher of the Recycling Today Media Group.

The 2000 inaugural conference drew more than 300 attendees to Atlanta, while the 2001 show drew more than 400 to Chicago. As of mid-May, registration for the 2002 Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show was up 15 percent compared to the same period last year, reports Jeff director of seminars and conferences for GIE Media.

Forty companies offering equipment and services to the industry will have displays in the exhibit hall during the 2002 show, an increase of roughly 30 percent compared to last year.

"The paper recycling industry has really embraced the event as a `must do.' It brings out the packers, brokers and mill consumers as well as a growing international audience," Keefe says. "With all these folks in attendance, it is an excellent opportunity for paper recyclers and suppliers to the industry to network and conduct business."

Exhibitors agree. Mike Connell of Balemaster, Crown Point, Ind., says the company decided to exhibit at the 2001 Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show after attending the inaugural show. "After the first year, we made the decision that we definitely wanted to be a part of it. It gives us an excellent forum to present the equipment that we manufacture and the solutions that we can provide to others in the industry," he says.

Ken Korney of International Baler Corp., Jacksonville, Fla., says, "I think you get a good mix of people at the show." Korney, who is based in the Cleveland area, says the show's format of closing the exhibit hall during sessions provides excellent opportunities for networking outside of the exhibit hall. This format also allows exhibitors' booth personnel to attend sessions.

Monica McNally, senior vice president of the RecycleGuard Insurance program from Willis of Rochester, N.H., is also pleased with the show's format. "It basically gives the people who are exhibiting time to really interact with attendees," she says. "We feel this will be a good opportunity to capture the attention of members of ISRI as well as nonmembers who may not attend other more general recycling trade shows," she adds.

NAME DROPPING 

The 2002 Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show program offers a mix of informative and educational seminars and interactive panel discussions on key issues affecting the paper recycling industry. Show organizers have secured the participation of a number of high-profile industry leaders.

Early bird sessions begin at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, June 23. Attendees have the option of attending "Tips for Establishing Good Plant Maintenance" with Buddy Himes of Himes Services, Waco, Texas, or the "Financial Management Workshop" with Robert W. West of West and Co., Cleveland, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Himes presents tips on establishing a maintenance schedule as well as how to keep balers, conveyors and other paper baling equipment running smoothly. From 3:30 to 5 p.m., attendees can attend either the operations "Safety Workshop" with Mike Mattia, director of risk management for the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc., Washington, or "Hedging and Financial Instruments" with Gary Helik of Traditional Financial Services.

The show's opening session--The Changing Face of Paper Recycling--Monday, June 24, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., features Dr. Jim Burke of SP Newsprint, Atlanta, and Steve Young of the Allan Company, Baldwin Park, Calif. Bill Moore of Moore & Associates, Atlanta, is the moderator.

Monday's sessions include "Hedging on the Future" from 11 to 12:30 p.m. Moderated by Dan Sandoval, senior editor of RecyclingToday.com and FibreMarketNews.com, Steve Vorhees, CFO of Rock-Tenn, Norcross, Ga., and Michael Moulton, WM Trading, Houston are among the speakers slated. James Maher of Morgan Price & Co., Miami, moderates "Exporting for Profitability" from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Brian Taylor, editor of Recycling Today, moderates "Single Stream: Pros and Cons" from 4 to 5 p.m. Speakers Steve Ragiel of Waste Management Inc., Houston; Rina McGuire of Cascades Inc., Quebec; and Harvey Gershman of GBB Consulting, Fairfax, Va., debate the advantages and limitations of single stream processing.

The "Future of Brokers" session June 25 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. features a lineup of veteran professionals who discuss the future challenges and opportunities within this segment of the industry. Moderated by Jerry Rose of Moore & Associates, the session features an open discussion with Dan Cotter of CellMark Recycling, Stamford, Conn.; Ethan Hershman of Hershman Recycling, Barnford, Conn.; Arnie Peltz of the Peltz Group, Milwaukee, Wis.; and Ed Tucciarone of Smurfit Stone Recycling, Chicago, Ill.

Tuesday's sessions conclude with Additional Market Opportunities from 11 to noon. Moderated by David Powelson of Tri-R Systems Corp., Denver, panelists include Cory Tomczyk, Industrial Recyclers of America, Mosinee, Wis.; Kerry Getter, Balcones Resources, Austin; and Mike Tingle, DataGuard USA, Denver.

Despite the educational focus of the programming, the Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show is not all work and no play. Before the educational sessions begin, conference attendees have the opportunity to attend a golf outing to Eastover Country Club the morning of June 23. The exhibit hall is the scene of a welcome reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, providing the opportunity for exhibitors and attendees to network in a relaxed atmosphere. This year's reception will feature a "Beer Festival" format, where exhibitors will offer various lagers and ales from around the world.

Regular attendees of the show will hopefully also have a chance to enjoy the sounds and tastes of New Orleans and its famous French Quarter. Next year, attendees will readjust to a northern climate, as in 2003 the Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show will return to Chicago.

A TASTE OF NEW ORLEANS.

Chef Paul Prudhomme has been quoted as saying, "Some dishes build a fire in your body, and they are the ones worth remembering." Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show attendees can read recommendations for some restaurants worth remembering in an online sidebar found at www.RecyclingToday.com.

RELATED ARTICLE: like no other.

New Orleans boasts distinctive architecture and strong French and Spanish influences. Its heritage is one of mysticism and voodoo, combined with elements of war, politics, jazz and distinctive cuisine. The city's historic register lists 10,500 structures, including St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square,

The Crescent City offers much to see and do. Paper Recycling Conference and Trade Show attendees might want to consider these stops:

* Preservation Hall--For a mere $4 you can enjoy jazz in this historic spot.

* The St. Charles line--This streetcar travels between downtown and uptown, past some of the city's most beautiful homes.

* Cemetery Tours--New Orleans is known for its cemeteries' above-the ground tombs, housing such New Orleans notables as voodoo priestess Marie Laveau. Organized tours are recommended. Phone Save Our Cemeteries Inc. at 504-525-3377 for tour information.

* Haunted History Tours--Learn about New Orleans's dark side. Phone [phone] for information.

* The French Market--According to legend, Native Americans originally used the site a bartering market. In 1812, it began to into an official market.

* The French Quarter--Antiques abound in the French Quarter. The warm hues and wrought iron balconies of the homes prove photogenic.

The author is assistant editor of Recycling Today and can be reached via e-mail at [e-mail].