SWANA Says No Trade Show Consolidation with WasteExpo

Patricia-Anne Tom

Silver Spring, Md. -- The International Board of Directors of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has unanimously voted to defer consideration of consolidation of the WASTECON and WasteExpo trade shows. However, SWANA will explore joint conference and trade show partnerships with other associations, and the Executive Committee will establish a 5-person committee to carry this out, the association said.

At its its mid-year meeting in Boulder, Colo., on June 11, 2005, the board pledged to work to make WASTECON the premier event for its exhibitors, attendees and members. WASTECON is an annual fall tradeshow and training conference attended primarily by representatives of the municipal sector.

“The Board’s action reaffirms SWANA’s long term commitment to WASTECON and opens the door to involvement of other associations that have similar goals and objectives," said John H. Skinner, SWANA's executive director and CEO. “The Board felt it was not appropriate to consider consolidation with WasteExpo at this time given the uncertainty about WasteExpo’s future ownership."

WasteExpo, an annual spring tradeshow and educational conference attended by representatives of both the public and private sectors, is owned and managed by Primedia Business Magazines and Media. On April 25, 2005, Primedia announced that it is exploring the sale of Primedia Business as a whole unit, which includes more than 70 trade publications (including Waste Age) and 20-plus trade shows (including WasteExpo).

SWANA said the first task for its Executive Committee will be to establish a plan for outreach to other associations to explore their interest in partnerships with SWANA regarding WASTECON and other SWANA conferences.