WASTECON’s line-up of keynote speakers will offer insight on future policy, innovation trends and technology.

Waste360 Staff, Staff

June 21, 2018

3 Min Read
SWANA Announces WASTECON 2018 Keynote Speakers

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) announced the keynote speakers for WASTECON, SWANA’s largest conference that helps solid waste leaders plan a sustainable future for their communities.

WASTECON’s line-up of keynote speakers will offer insight on future policy, innovation trends and technology, as well as new perspectives on adapting to industry changes and creating efficient work-flow processes.

“I am very excited that WASTECON will be offering a range of inspiring and informative keynote speakers, including industry leaders such as Ron Mittelstaedt, legal giants such as Michael Cahill and several interactive sessions that will help participants enhance their leadership skills and critical thinking,” said David Biderman, executive director and CEO of SWANA, in a statement.

WASTECON 2018 Keynote Speakers

  • Ron Mittelstaedt, CEO and director of Waste Connections: Mittelstaedt will discuss his thoughts on the waste industry and its relationship with the public sector, how Waste Connections is responding to current challenges, the company’s successful safety initiatives and the outlook of the industry.

  • David Biderman, executive director and CEO of SWANA, and Robin Wiener, president of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc.: The China waste ban’s restriction of the flow of materials has created new challenges throughout the supply chain of scrap—residents, solid waste departments, material recovery facilities, processors, end users and beyond. Biderman and Wiener will discuss the current issues surrounding the ban and investigate next steps for the industry.

  • Parker Gates and Anna Love-Mickelson, founders of Stoked: Founders of Nashville-area design firm, Stoked, will offer high-energy, highly interactive activities that will help attendees gain confidence to solve the most complex problems and grow deeper connections with colleagues and customers.

  • Michael Cahill, partner at Germano & Cahill, PC: Having been involved in the flow control case at the U.S. Supreme Court as well as representing a municipality in the famous garbage barge fiasco, Cahill will provide unique and humorous insight into the shaping of modern history involving the solid waste and recycling industry.

  • Tom Morrison, CEO of Florida Automotive Industry Association: Over the last five years, disruption has transformed many industries, putting companies at risk. Morrison will provide the keys in researching and determining what future disruption the solid waste industry can expect and what can be done about it now.

  • Natalie Nixon, design strategist, author and lecturer: The concepts behind systems thinking are present in designing and operating solid waste programs. Through these approaches, attendees will learn how to use intuition, pattern recognition and improvisation for insights to help create order from the daily chaos.

“I am honored to address the top professionals in solid waste and recycling at WASTECON,” said Mittelstaedt in a statement. “With a changing industry comes new challenges surrounding policy, relationships between the public and private sector and worker safety. During my interview panel, I will give insight into how Waste Connections is facing these challenges head-on and how companies can position themselves for growth during this time of industry transition.”

Keynote speakers will offer a mix of presentation, interview-style, panel discussion and interactive sessions that will speak to “Sound Ideas” in waste management by exploring challenges and solutions for navigating the solid waste and recycling industry today.

About the Author(s)

Stay in the Know - Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Join a network of more than 90,000 waste and recycling industry professionals. Get the latest news and insights straight to your inbox. Free.

You May Also Like