WasteExpo 2000 Adding to Attendee Base

Jenny Heumann

Changes are afoot for WasteExpo 2000, coming to Atlanta on May 16 to 18. WasteExpo is teaming up with the conference - Warehouses of the Future 2000 (WoF 2000) - to offer its participants more educational and networking opportunities.

Since its sale to Stamford, Conn.-based Intertec Exhibitions last year, part of WasteExpo's mission is to increase its customer base for show exhibitors. One way WasteExpo is accomplishing this mission is by teaming with WoF, which is organized by the Distribution Business Management Association (DBMA), Lancaster, Pa. WoF 2000 focuses on providing innovative technologies information for warehousing and distribution logistics.

The WoF 2000 exhibit is the largest display of integrated materials handling equipment, inbound and outbound logistics strategies, and computer hardware and software solutions in North America. Also, it is the largest and only hands-on-learning lab offering "real world" education about e-business, according to conference organizers. The event floor features more than 200 technology exhibitors and covers the global logistics supply chain spectrum.

WoF 2000 attendees include representatives from companies that are potential customers for WasteExpo exhibitors. Participant's products include lift trucks, motor carriers, system integrators, conveyors and other equipment. Also, WoF 2000 attendees are invited to WasteExpo's show floor, giving WasteExpo exhibitors the opportunity for more potential customers.

"We have found a lot of overlap in the business that both of our attendee groups participate in," says Dawn Apple, manager of education for the Environmental Industry Associations (EIA), Washington, D.C., a WasteExpo show sponsor. "We want to develop a partnership where there hasn't been one before between these two industry groups that have similar functions."

The partnership offers an educational feature to both shows attendees in the form of a high-level educational panel entitled, "Environmentally Responsible Supply Chain: Recycling is Profitable." The panel will include CEOs, who will address recycling issues and kick off the educational program.

EIA and DBMA each will host an educational session for the other show's attendees so that participants of both conferences can learn from the other group on a specific topic area. EIA's shared session will be "Equipment Purchasing Techniques: Buy vs. Lease." DBMA's shared session will be "E-Commerce Logistics: How To Get Started."

WasteExpo attendees also can visit WoF 2000's show highlight, "A Warehouse of the Future," a multi-million dollar display of cutting-edge technology that showcases the entire logistics supply chain. The exhibit floor will showcase 21st century technology in materials and equipment receiving, storage, order fulfillment and shipping.

"The partnership truly offers WasteExpo exhibitors and attendees the opportunity to network with business contacts from companies that normally do not attend WasteExpo but are potential customers for our members anyway," Apple says.

WasteExpo will feature other changes as well. For example, the exhibit floor will be organized into five product concentration areas: size reduction and classification; landfilling and composting equipment; waste transfer, collection and transportation; volume reduction and materials handling; and general/business services.

Intertec also has targeted new show attendees, such as waste generators from all industries, including operations, maintenance and facilities professionals, as well as trucking professionals, landfill owners and operators, military personnel and contractors.

"We are looking at what we have to do to increase attendance at WasteExpo as much as possible," says Rita Ugainskis, WasteExpo show director. "Our focus is to bring as many buyers to WasteExpo 2000 as possible. And once they are there, we want them to be on the exhibit floor, so we have scheduled most of the education sessions and special events around the floor hours."

Entrepreneur and best-selling author Harvey Mackay, founder and CEO of Mackay Envelope Corp., an $85 million business that produces more than 17 million envelopes daily, will deliver the WasteExpo show's keynote address on May 17. He will discuss the principles outlined in his latest book, "Pushing the Envelope: All the Way to the Top."

For WasteExpo exhibiting information, phone Bob Callahan, Intertec's sales manager, at (203) 358-3712. For information on educational sessions, call Dawn Apple at (800) 424-2869.