Report from Western Regional Symposium

It’s spring…and that means it’s time for lots of SWANA Chapter events.

We just received a report on the Western Regional Symposium from Steve Strait, the Central California Sierra Chapter International Board Representative.

"The International Board meeting was up in Banff on the Saturday and Sunday right before the Western Regional Symposium (WRS) so I was rushing around a little. I flew from Calgary to Fresno on Monday and then drove over to St. Louis Obispo, CA (SLO) Monday evening so I missed the opening reception in the Trade Show area. I hear though that the reception, and associated food (e.g. shrimp) was a hit.

I was in charge of the Technical Sessions for Tuesday and Wednesday. We had 28 excellent presentations--compared to past years having only had 18 to 19 presentations. We left plenty of time for each presentation and Q&A period which made for a more casual session. People had plenty of time to ask questions, and a lot of the sessions turned into a nice discussion period.

Our highlight on Wednesday morning was the keynote address by Lanny Hickman on the history and greening of the solid waste industry; it kept nicely with our theme of "Staying Green with Less Green".

Our Wednesday night banquet was very well attended and involved food pairing with the award winning wines from the local California Coast Opolo Winery.

We had golf and trap shooting on Monday and on Thursday we toured the local Cold Canyon Landfill. Overall, I think it was one of our best WRSs that we have put on at SLO."

Sounds like WRS was an awesome event! Thanks for sharing this with everyone, Steve. If you were in SLO for the symposium, post your thoughts and comments about the event below. If you have any pictures from WRS that you would like to share, send them to marketing@swana.org.

We want to hear from your chapter events. Send us your reports and pictures to post!

Conversations from I AM SWANA

Have you been on SWANA's new online group yet? If you haven't joined the I AM SWANA Online Group then you're missing some great conversations.

This weekend, Jason Hale from Alaska asked about Special Service for the Elderly & Handicapped and he's already getting assistance. And Connie Burns recently asked about Operating Procedures and was able to connect with a fellow online group member to help her review her current practices. Maybe you have some expertise that you can share with Jason or Connie or a question you need help with.

Check out the I AM SWANA Online Group and join the conversation - whether you have a question or want to share your advice.

And attention SWANA British Columbia and Northern Light Members - your chapters have recently opened up chapter groups on I AM SWANA - bringing your local members even closer.

Have an opinion on a recent development in the solid waste industry? Want to share some tips and successes with other solid waste professionals? Write for the I AM SWANA blog and share your views. Just email marketing@swana.org for more information.