Returning to second city: Chicago hosts the fourth annual Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show, June 22-24. (Paper Conference Preview).

The fourth annual Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show returns to the home of the El train, Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, Sears Tower, Wrigley Field and Grant Park in June. Conference attendees will enjoy a premier educational program geared toward the challenges of today's secondary paper market, as well as the amenities a world-class city such as Chicago has to offer.

The Hyatt Regency Chicago hosts the 2003 Paper Recycling Conference & Tradeshow June 22-24. In addition to speakers from the foremost companies in the paper recycling and forest products industries, the conference also includes an exhibit hall featuring products and services of interest to those within the industry.

Recycling Today Media Group, which is part of Cleveland-based publishing company GIE Media Inc., sponsors the event in cooperation with the Paper Stock Industries (PSI) Chapter of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc., Washington. According to the conference organizers, the 2003 Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show registration and hotel rates are among the most affordable in the industry. A full conference registration is $345 per person, with a discounted rate of $275 per person available to PSI members and to companies registering three or more attendees.

SECOND TIME FOR THE SECOND CITY. The 2001 Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show marked the first time the event was in Chicago.

"We're pleased to return to Chicago this year," says Jim Keefe, Recycling Today Media Group publisher. "The city is easily accessible, making it convenient and affordable for paper recyclers on both the east and west coasts to attend."

Keefe continues, "The paper recycling industry has really supported this event, as witnessed by our growing attendance numbers and the speakers we are able to secure. Our international attendance continues to grow, as does the number of domestic packers, brokers and mill consumers in attendance."

The full conference registration includes three pre-conference workshops and six educational sessions, as well as two continental breakfasts, a buffet lunch and refreshments within the exhibit hall. The 2003 Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show also provides opportunities for networking and socializing with others in the industry at the opening reception and beer festival, which are also located in the exhibit hall.

The format employed by the Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show enables exhibitors and attendees to maximize their networking opportunities, both within and outside of the exhibit hall. The seminars and exhibit hours do not run concurrently, allowing exhibitor personnel either to attend educational sessions or to set up meetings with prospective clients outside of the exhibit hall.

In addition, all meals and receptions are held in the exhibit hall, maximizing exposure for exhibiting companies, a prospect that greatly appeals to them.

IN THE EXHIBIT HALL. "The show is very well run," George Kane, co-founder of 21st Century Programming, Long Beach, Calif., says of the Paper Recycling Conference. Kane's company designs software for the recycling industry. "The way the show has food in the exhibit hall, and the way the exhibit hall hours and seminars are timed is an excellent method for getting people in the exhibit hall," he adds.

Kane, who has exhibited at the Paper Recycling Conference since 2001, finds the show valuable because "the paper market doesn't have much representation in our industry, and we find it to be an excellent addition to our market."

He is also excited about the show's return to Chicago. "The Chicago location is central to the U.S., which makes it so that more people can attend," Kane says. He also says that the size of the show enables his staff to have more one-on-one time with prospective customers.

Joe Szany of Marathon Equipment Co., a baler and recycling equipment manufacturer based in Vernon, Ala., says the Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show represents a significant opportunity for the company. "We want to be a major supplier to waste paper processors and to those in the paper recycling industry," he says. "As a company, we are not a 40-year-old supplier to the paper industry like our competitors. The show is a good opportunity to let the industry know that there is somebody new looking for its business. I think we will make a statement to the attendees ... that we are intending to be a major supplier to their industry."

Szany says that his position at Marathon involves increasing the company's profile as a baler company. "What better arena can we do that in than this?" he says of the Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show.

The conference's concentration on paper recycling issues, and its experienced panel members are also a draw for Szany. "It's important for me to have a good feel for the concerns and problems that the industry I'm in is interested in solving."

He adds that the conference signifies an important networking opportunity for Marathon. "I can see 70 accounts in two days. It's an inexpensive way to visit with customers and to learn something about the industry and show that you are concerned about the industry."

Education is certainly a top priority for the conference organizers.

DOWN TO BUSINESS. "Once again, our staff has pulled together a roster of quality speakers who represent the foremost companies in the industry," Keefe says.

This year for the second time, the Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show will feature pre-conference workshops concerning equipment and general business information.

Prior to the opening reception at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 22, attendees can choose to attend pre-conference workshops on three different topics.

The first workshop, "UBC Recycling: A Market Opportunity," begins at 1:15 p.m. and focuses on the collection and marketing of used beverage containers. Beginning at 3 p.m., conference attendees may choose to attend either the "Software for Recyclers" workshop or the "Equipment Advances in Single-Stream/Automated Sorting Technology" workshop. The PSI Chapter meeting also begins at 3 p.m.

The Monday sessions begin at 8:45 a.m. with "The Changing Dynamics of Paper Recycling." Moderated by Bill Moore of Moore & Associates, Atlanta, the panel includes Steve Ragiel of Recycle America Alliance, Houston, and Fred yon Zuben of Newark Group, Cranford, N.J. The discussion focuses on the current state of the paper recycling industry with speculation about future trends.

Beginning at 11 a.m. Ralph Simon of SP Newsprint, Atlanta, monitors "Thinking Outside of the Wax Box." The session focuses on waxed corrugated packaging. While the material has not been popular with recyclers because it can severely damage processing equipment, the session addresses newly available technology that is helping to make the wax box material more appealing to recyclers.

Pete Grogan of Weyerhaeuser moderates "Curbside Collection Reconsidered," which begins at 1:30 p.m. The panelists include Mike Benedetto of Tidewater Fibre Corp., Chesapeake, Va., Jonathan Burgiel of R.W. Beck Associates and Ken Wells of the Sonoma County (Calif.) Refuse Division. The topic is the differing options available for viable curbside programs.

Monday's sessions conclude with "Exporting with Success," which begins at 3:30 p.m. The session includes Steve Sutta of The Sutta Co., Oakland, Calif. Discussion centers on considerations for companies involved in the export market.

Sessions begin at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, with" Capturing the Commercial Stream." Brian Fielkow of The Peltz Group, Miwaukee, Wisc., moderates a panel that includes Brad Heinrich of Tri-R Recycling, Denver; Jean Shrum of Target Co., Minneapolis; and Jonathan Sloan of Canusa-Hershman, Branford, Ct. (See this issue's cover story.). The discussion focuses on establishing commercial clients and maximizing opportunity within the commercial sector.

The conference's final session, "Secrets of Successful Mill Buying," begins at 10:30. Ed Tucciarone of Smurfit-Stone Recycling, St. Louis, moderates a panel that includes Jeff Kibler of Visy Recycling's Atlanta area operations; John Lucini of SP Recycling and Jan Marrs of Weyerhaeuser. The session focuses on effectively improving paper grades and the changing role of the purchasing agent.

In June 2004, the Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show heats things up again with its returns to Atlanta, the site of the inaugural conference. Additional information on the conference, including the full schedule and a registration form, is available online at www. paperrecyclingconference.com.

CULINARY CHICAGO

Whether you crave a slice of deep-dish pizza, haute cuisine or sushi, Chicago has a restaurant for you.

Among Chicago's thousands of restaurants, you'll find more four-star restaurants than in any other U.S. city. But you'll also find many greasy-spoons serving that Midwestern classic the Francheezie. This jumbo frank is filled with American cheese, wrapped with bacon and--as if that isn't enough--deep-fried. Ah, utter indulgence.

Franks not your thing? Then head over to Little Italy, which is centered around Taylor Street. The area is known for its family-owned restaurants that feature earthy Tuscan fare.

If you prefer your noodles with an Asian accent, Chinatown can be found at the crossroads of Wentworth and Cermak Avenues. Area restaurants feature some of Chicago's best Chinese regional cooking.

Pilsen is home to much of Chicago's Mexican-American population. The area offers authentic Mexican restaurants, as well as colorful murals.

For more Mediterranean flavor, head west of the Loop to the lively restaurants of Greektown and cap off your meal with a slice of baklava or a shot of ouzo.

For upscale and eclectic flavors, visit the River North. This trendy and chic area is also home to many art galleries and clubs.

The Bucktown/Wicker park area has emerged as Chicago's hottest neighborhood. This artistic community is populated with numerous coffeehouses--and the requisite poetry readings and performance art--as well as new restaurants and nightclubs.

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