‘Best Show in Public Works’ Goes to Beantown
Public works professionals from around the world will gather in Boston later this month for the American Public Works Association’s (APWA) International Public Works Congress and Exposition. Co-located with the Solid Waste Association of North America’s (SWANA) WASTECON 2010 Conference and Exhibition, this year’s event offers attendees a wide array of professional training and educational sessions as well as dynamic keynote speakers and networking opportunities.
The conference, which is scheduled for Aug. 15-18, will take place at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Having two conferences under one roof means four days of choices from more than 200 education sessions and as many as 600 exhibitors covering 125,000 square feet of exhibit space.
APWA’s education sessions are eligible for CEU credits, and public works professionals will find additional value in having open access to many of WASTECON’s technical sessions.
A few of the sessions that will be available from the hundreds of choices are:
- “Cash in the Trash,” which highlights the automated trash and recycling collection program implemented by Newton, Mass.
- “The Nexus: Urban Forestry and Storm Water Management,” which details efforts of Kirkland and Vancouver, Wash., to integrate urban forestry programs with their surface water management plans into a comprehensive watershed approach.
- “Solar Systems: Providing More than Just Electricity,” which explains the basics of solar power, solar tracking systems and solar panel alignment.
A shared exhibitor floor will showcase more solutions to everyday challenges in the public works field. Exhibitors will demonstrate the latest public works equipment as well as present 45-minute sessions on how their products and services can meet the needs of the public works industry.
One of the highlights will be the slate of keynote and featured speakers. Ian Hill, known throughout the United States and Canada for his efforts in promoting positive change for communities and neighborhoods, will present several sessions as a featured speaker. Topics will include “Leadership in Changing Times” and “Mastering the Power of Change.”
Keynote speakers scheduled for the event are Mike Barnicle, veteran print and broadcast journalist; Christine Ervin, former U.S. assistant secretary of energy; and Marty Linsky, co-founder of Cambridge Leadership Associates.
In addition to the education sessions and expo, special events will include the Progressive Women in Public Works breakfast on Aug. 16 and the fourth annual blood drive on Aug. 16 and 17. The presentation topic at the breakfast: “Breaking Down the Modal Divide: Complete Streets.”
WASTECON 2010
“Strengthening the Industry” is the focus of this year’s WASTECON 2010 Conference. Solid waste professionals will have access to technical sessions as well as opportunities to find out about the latest trends at the SWANA Training Center at the Exhibit Hall.
On Aug. 16, the Afterburner team of fighter pilots presents a keynote session titled “Accelerating Performance Through Flawless Execution.” Considered one of the world’s leading authorities on organizational execution, the team performs unique corporate team-building events and training workshop services in more than 34 countries.
Following a full day of sessions on Aug. 16, more than 8,000 solid waste and public works professionals will gather for a networking event at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. The Massachusetts Chapter of SWANA will host this year’s networking event.
The co-conference ends Aug. 18 with a reception and banquet featuring the Beantown Swing Orchestra. The 18-piece band, featuring “American Idol” finalist John Stevens, will provide swing music performed by top-notch jazz musicians.