Those of you
who have been to WASTECON know how valuable an industry resource the annual
event is. More than just a trade expo and program of speakers and classes,
WASTECON offers unparalleled opportunities for attendees to meet informally with
peers, renew old acquaintances, and match ideas with solid waste professionals
from all around the world.
WASTECON 2009
takes place September 22–24 at Long Beach, CA, and, if you are a solid waste
manager, what better opportunity could you possibly find for involving your
board members, many of whom came to their positions with little or no formal
experience in the field? Ready or not, they’re responsible for overseeing the
budget and operations of a highly complex, costly, and politically sensitive
activity, so what could be more appropriate than WASTECON for allowing them to
rub elbows with the most experienced group of people in the industry?
Having served
several years as a member of our local transit district board—a post I took up
with high regard for my qualifications, only to find I didn’t know diddly
squat—I can promise you that the most valuable several days of my tenure were
spent at the annual conference put on by SWANA’s counterpart in the transit
industry, the American Public Transit Association (APTA). There I became
acquainted with APTA members from around the nation and learned firsthand how
they approached their responsibilities.
How about
suggesting to your waste board that its members go to at least one WASTECON
during their tenure to get an overview of the entire field? And along those
lines, what could be a better place to start than Long Beach?