Goin' BAck to Carolina

Patti Verbanas

East met West - and everybody in between - at this year's joint Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) Wastecon and the International Solid Waste Association's (ISWA) World Congress.

The logical union of these two events, which both celebrated their 36th anniversaries this year, positioned SWANA's 1998 meeting of the municipal minds as a true international waste summit.

More than 2,447 attendees representing approximately 40 nations traversed Charlotte, N.C.'s convention center last October, mingling and sharing ideas with their industry brethren.

According to Caroline Lacey, SWANA's director of marketing and sales, the SWANA/ISWA alliance boosted total attendance numbers, including exhibitors, to new highs - from 3,500 participants in 1997 to 3,873 participants this year.

ISWA's presence was felt in the exhibit hall as well as in the technical sessions and programs. International presentations accounted for approximately 40 percent of the sessions, which took on a more global focus than in previous years. In addition, foreign delegates flocked to the training courses and tours, making the Charlotte show's programs the highest attended in Wastecon's history.

Finally, on the exhibit floor, the show also smashed previous records. "This year's event was the largest equipment show in [SWANA's] history," Lacey reports.

Now, join us on a trip back to that week in Carolina where we will walk the show floor and honor the award winners once again.