WasteExpo, North America’s largest event serving the $55 billion solid waste and recycling industry was held May 3 to 6 in Atlanta.

WasteExpo featured more than 537 exhibitors (up from 486 in 2009), which includes 157 new exhibitors to the show. Networking special events occurred throughout the four days, and 40 conference sessions and workshops, which covered critical industry topics including tracks on recycling, green management, business and finance, labor and employment, technology, safety, community and employee relations, politics and law and transportation.

Despite the current challenging economy, WasteExpo 2010 was well attended and experienced a steady number of attendees parallel to previous years. Attendees were considered highly qualified and motivated to learn and experience what’s new in the industry.

The Waste Training Institute, an industry-specific business training initiative designed to help employees in small-, medium-, and large-waste services companies run their businesses better, smarter and more effectively, once again was held at WasteExpo. Workshops were led by industry veterans including Eddie Dick of Eddie Dick & Associates; Don Ross of Kessler Consulting Inc.; David Biderman of the National Solid Wastes Management Association; and Del Lisk of Drive Cam Inc. Topics covered pricing and costing of services; measuring your effectiveness and productivity, and running an effective driver safety program.

Opening night kicked off with more than 1,400 people in attendance at the Welcome Reception, “Southern Nights” sponsored by Caterpillar, at the Grand Ballroom at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center. On Tuesday morning, ticket-holders to The EIA Awards Breakfast watched as the 2010 members were inducted into the EIA’s Hall of Fame. Inductees included Anthony Ciafolo of Clean Energy, Michael Cordesman of Republic Services Inc., Bob Gregory of Texas Disposal Systems, Ronald McCracken of RJM Associates, and Garwin McNeilus of McNeilus Companies.

Other awards also were given out. Other special events included the Mack Driving Skills Safety Challenge, the WasteExpo International Reception for non-U.S. visitors sponsored by Golder Associates, Harris, Marathon Equipment/NEXGEN, and PTR Baler and Compactor, Boxed Lunch discussions: Contrasting Public and Private Models of Success; Public Perceptions on the Solid Waste Industry; and Management Accountability — Making Safety Part of the Evaluation Process, the Zero Waste Initiatives Breakfast forum, and closed with the final special event, the 16th Annual EREF Equipment Auction, Silent Auction and Raffle, which raised more than $954,000.

The EIA Women’s Council Carts On Parade fundraiser project was a success at this year’s WasteExpo. Forty 96-gallon carts were decorated in the theme, “Environmentalists Every Day,” by sponsors or by artists commissioned by sponsors. Decorated carts came from across the country and were on display at the Georgia World Congress Center during the show. Several sponsors made this an employee team building exercise, while others worked with local groups such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Scout Troops, and grammar school classrooms. The proceeds of the sponsored carts funded the Council’s academic scholarship and environmental education programs for the solid waste and recycling industry professional.

For more information, visit www.wasteexpo.com.

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