Get ready to advance waste management best practices and address emerging industry issues.
Waste management professionals from across North America and beyond are busy preparing for WASTECON® 2023, the Solid Waste Association of North America’s (SWANA’s) executive leadership summit, taking place from September 27 – 29, 2023, in Boston, MA.
This is a must-attend event for anyone who seeks to remain at the forefront of the solid waste industry and maximize their organization’s potential for success. WASTECON® 2023’s full agenda is designed to provide attendees with numerous opportunities for networking and learning throughout the week. The conference aims to help attendees:
• Learn to better serve their stakeholders.
• Improve their organization’s efficiency and operations.
• Enrich their careers and those of team members.
The robust schedule features an unparalleled array of thought-provoking presentations, panel discussions, and workshops that aim to advance sustainable waste management best practices and address emerging industry issues.
Speakers from a diverse range of backgrounds will share insights and innovative solutions regarding the collection, processing, marketing, and management of compost, recyclables, and solid waste. The event’s agenda also includes a trade show floor where exhibitors will highlight the latest innovative products, technologies, and services.
Benefits
When you register for WASTECON®, you gain access to multiple benefits that are sure to make your experience worthwhile. These benefits include:
• Access to all keynote sessions
• Access to catalyst sessions in the exhibit hall
• Access to Leadership Intensives (registration required)
• Access to all Safety Summit sessions
• Access to the Exhibit Hall during show hours
• Ticket to the Opening Reception in the Exhibit Hall on Wednesday
• Ticket for lunch in the Exhibit Hall on Thursday
• Ticket to the Thursday Networking Event hosted by the Southern New England, Northern New England, and New York Chapters of SWANA
With these benefits, attendees have a plethora of opportunities to learn, network, and make the most of their time at WASTECON®.
Exploring Boston
With world-class sporting venues, prestigious college campuses, revered art institutes, and arguably more historical significance than any other major American city, it is no wonder that Boston welcomes millions of tourists year after year.
There are food and dining options, activities, and things to do near the convention center to make the most of your time in Boston. With a rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and a legacy of arts, culture, and education, Boston has something for everyone.
Convention Center
WASTECON® 2023 is taking place at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. “The Hynes Convention Center is located just 4.6 miles from Logan International Airport with shuttle access via the Back Bay Logan Express shuttle. Boston’s geographical location makes it an ideal and easy gateway for both national and international access and gives you access to the most valuable attendee base within a two-hour travel radius of any city in North America,” according to Signature Boston.
There are several restaurants in the same building as the Hynes Convention Center and there are dozens more within walking distance. Located in the heart of the city, the convention center is the perfect location for WASTECON® 2023.
Tours and Experiences
There are several two-in-one tours being offered at WASTECON® 2023, including:
Millbury Waste to Energy and Shrewsbury Monofill Tours
WIN Waste Millbury Waste to Energy (WtE) facility is capable of processing 1,500 tons of municipal solid waste each day into as much as 47.6 MW (gross)/40 MW (net) of electricity—enough clean energy to power 47,000 homes in the Town of Millbury and surrounding Central Massachusetts communities, as well as its own operations. The tour will take you through the processes of refuse receiving, combustion, and energy production that is typical in any waste-to-energy facility.
The nearby Shrewsbury Monofill was developed by WIN Waste Innovations in the 1980s as a centralized disposal location for ash residue generated by several waste-to-energy plants located throughout the region.
Food Waste Processing at WM CORe® in Boston, Featuring the City of Cambridge
Waste Management of New England (WMNE) is working with the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District (GLSD) to operate an advanced recycling facility to convert food waste into a renewable energy source. The Boston CORe® recycling facility marks a significant step forward toward the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) long-term sustainability goals of recycling organic waste and increasing the use of renewable energy.
The City of Cambridge operates a curbside organics program for 30,000 households, 14 schools, 75 food-service businesses, and six drop-off sites. The city collects more than eight to 10 tons per day using three 25-yard rear-load Mack packers.
Keynote Presentations and Catalyst Sessions
WASTECON® will feature keynote presentations from a wide variety of speakers. Mitchell Weiss will be center stage on Thursday, September 28 as the opening keynote speaker. He is a former Boston public official, the Richard L. Menschel professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School, and author. During his presentation titled “We the Possibilities,” Weiss will share his tenets for this new way of governing.
Natalie Stirling-Sanders is another keynote speaker. She is the Chief Advisor and Head of the Americas for the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, a global non-profit organization that focuses on enhancing waste management capacity and capability by improving collection, sorting, processing, and recycling systems, especially in underserved regions. She will speak on “How the Alliance to End Plastic Waste is Building a Circular Economy for Plastics.”
Nicole Sroka from Mind Moves will lead the session called “Transforming Waste Management by Harnessing the Power of AI.” She leads wide-scale people adoption for responsible Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation. Nicole founded Mind Moves, a Washington DC-based consultancy, to solve for the human side of complex transitions in the areas of organizational development, process, technology, culture, and environmental sustainability. Other keynote speakers include:
• Gunilla Carlsson, SYSAV (ISWA Member Sweden)
• Scott Cassel, Product Stewardship Institute
• Shaara Roman, The Silverene Group LLC
• Dr. Kathryn (Katie) Sandoe, Light Echo Co.
In addition to keynotes, the event’s agenda includes a trade show floor where exhibitors will highlight the industry’s latest innovative products, technologies, and services. Attendees can find enormous opportunities to serve their stakeholders, improve their organization and operations, and enrich their own careers by attending Catalyst Sessions in the Exhibit Hall.
Young Professionals
SWANA’s young professionals (YPs) are excited to host a networking event on Wednesday, September 27. This will take place in the evening, and it is a great opportunity to meet and connect with other professionals who are also new to working in the industry.
In addition, the 2023 SWANA Young Professionals Leadership Academy (YPLA) Cohort is proud to present its project report: “Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Communication in the Solid Waste Industry to Engage Young Professionals.” In a special keynote presentation, they will present a comprehensive analysis of the “Bridging the Gap” report from the unique perspective of young professionals (YPs) on Friday, September 29.
Chapter Connect
Chapter Connect is taking place in conjunction with WASTECON® in Boston from September 26 – 27, beginning before the official start of WASTECON®. Chapter Connect is an event for current and incoming Chapter leaders. As a SWANA Chapter Leader, Chapter Connect will provide you with the tools and information to improve membership engagement at the Chapter level. You will have the opportunity to network with Chapter Leaders from your Region and across North America.
During Chapter Connect, you will participate in discussions on various aspects of leading and managing your chapter. We will also discuss what you, as a Chapter Leader, need from SWANA HQ to be a more effective leader.
Networking
WASTECON® 2023’s full agenda is designed to provide attendees with numerous opportunities for networking and learning throughout the week. WASTECON® provides an excellent opportunity for professionals across the industry to network and share insights and ideas. With ample time for connecting with peers, attendees can establish new relationships and foster meaningful connections with like-minded professionals across the industry.
While there will be plenty of time to network, the Southern New England Chapter of SWANA is hosting a Boston-themed extravaganza on Thursday, September 28! Colleagues are encouraged to come together and enjoy an unforgettable evening of networking, food, games, music, and endless fun. Feast on Boston’s finest fare, get ready for friendly competition, and dance the night away. This is an event you will not want to miss, where waste management professionals come together to network, unwind, and celebrate collective efforts in creating a sustainable future.
Unique Experiences
Visit a disc golf course at a landfill! On Wednesday, September 27, attendees can learn how their landfill can implement a disc golf course at their landfill when they tour Ace Shores At Harbor Point. By adding a disc golf course, landfills can gain a source of revenue and improve their relationship with the local community through a source of recreation that is great for all ages. Considering disc golf is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, this is an experience not to be missed. To make the trip that much more exciting, an introductory lesson on how to disc golf will be provided.
Attendees can also sign up to golf in Boston. The Southern New England (SNE) Chapter of SWANA invites conference attendees to participate in its annual Michael J. Parker Memorial Scholarship Golf Event to be held in conjunction with WASTECON® 2023. Prizes, raffles, beverages, and lunch will also be provided during the day. SNE will provide transportation, on a first come basis during registration, for those coming to WASTECON® and staying near the Hynes Convention Center. This outing will take place on Tuesday, September 26 at Norwood Country Club.
Reframing the Industry
Whether you are a seasoned industry professional or just starting in the field, attending WASTECON® provides you with the opportunity to learn from and network with peers and experts, gaining valuable knowledge and experience to advance your career.
The conference aims to reframe the industry and become “employers of choice,” which is a core objective of SWANA’s Strategic Plan. WASTECON® will provide opportunities for participants to broaden their industry horizons and become better equipped to take on leadership and management roles in the waste and recycling industry.
This summit is hosted by SWANA, the leading professional association in solid waste management. The association’s 10,000+ members are professionals committed to advancing from solid waste management to resource management through their shared emphasis on education, advocacy, and research.| WA
For more information and to register visit WASTECON.org