GWMS is Back and Underway in Palm Springs, Calif.

Global Waste Management Symposium (GWMS) 2020, North America's No. 1 technical conference for research and case studies on waste management, kicks off today at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, Calif., and runs through Wednesday, February 26.

The event will welcome a record of nearly 700 participants and include comprehensive sessions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in landfill leachate, leachate treatment, characterizing elevated temperature landfills, sustainable materials management, organics management, composting, thermal conversion and coal ash regulations and management, among others.

“Waste360 is pleased to once again host the waste industry’s leading technical conference, Global Waste Management Symposium, in Indian Wells, Calif. GWMS is a unique forum with its strong technical content, great networking and a beautiful desert location to call home. We are expecting a record crowd of roughly 700 participants which demonstrates the value of the excellent program and the picturesque location. GWMS 2020 is primed to connect the most intelligent solid waste and recycling professionals from around the world with one another. Welcome and we look forward to seeing our colleagues enjoy this conference that will surely be worth the two-year wait,” says Waste360 Vice President Mark Hickey.

The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) is once again the strategic partner for GWMS.

“GWMS continues to grow year after year, building its reputation as one of the leading solid waste conferences and a must-attend event,” says EREF President and CEO Bryan Staley. “I’m excited that EREF can contribute and provide attendees with quality content. We’ve assembled a strong agenda related to PFAS, leachate treatment, elevated temperature landfills, coal ash and a number of other topics waste industry professionals will want to know more about. Research on these issues has progressed substantially since GWMS 2018. This will be a great opportunity for attendees to ensure they’re up to speed on the latest information, all during one event.”

Tara Hemmer, Waste Management’s senior vice president of field operations for the southern tier, will deliver this year’s keynote address, which will examine why the global waste industry is in a complex period of transformation. During her keynote, “The Transformation of Our Industry: Looking Back and Moving Forward,” Hemmer will reflect on the evolution of the global waste industry, the emerging themes impacting how business is done today and her projections for the future.

In addition, Hemmer will more broadly discuss the megatrends that are emerging outside of solid waste and how they will impact the way the industry thinks about waste management moving forward. She hopes to leave attendees with a message of hope and inspiration.

Hemmer is a 25-year veteran of the waste and recycling industry. She has served on EREF’s Board of Directors since 2018, contributing fresh perspective and ideas aimed at positioning EREF as the leading solid waste organization.

“At a time when the media and entertainment industries have cast the waste industry in a negative light, Tara’s keynote address will offer a hopeful and inspiring outlook for the future of solid waste,” according to EREF.

Waste360 caught up with Staley during Sunday's welcome reception to chat about this year's show and for a sneak peek of Monday's luncheon speech:

GWMS will also provide attendees with a chance to network with sponsors and exhibitors who are waiting to help them solve their latest challenges.

For up-to-date information throughout the event, follow @Waste360, @WasteExpo and #GWMS2020 on Twitter and WasteExpo on Instagram. Check out more information about GWMS here.