40th Annual Meeting Program.
40th Annual Meeting
4 Points by Sheraton
Chicago, IL
October 26-27, 2011
Meeting Flyer
Registration Form
Schedule of Events
(Subject to Change)
Tuesday, October 25
2:00p Standards Committee Meetings
3:30p Certification Committee Meetings
5:00p Dinner on Your Own
Wednesday, October 26
8:00a Board of Directors Meeting
1:00p Opening Welcome
1:30p Product Labeling
Knowing the basics of package labeling regulations can protect you from costly design errors that can put products off sale. Our speaker will review key product labeling issues every manager should know to assure those working for him are following the rules and what can happen if they don’t. Presenter: Ken Butcher, Office of Weights & Measures, National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST).
2:30p Coffee Break
3:00p What’s Happening in Transportation?
FTR Associates is the industry leader in freight transportation forecasting for U.S. freight by mode of transportation. FTR is the only company with a complete set of freight data for all modes of transportation tracking and forecasting 209 unique commodity groups both quarterly and annually as a result of its proprietary U.S. Freight Model. Hear what FTR predicts for freight conditions now and through 2012 that will impact your ability to move products to market. Speaker: Noel Perry, FTR Assoc., Columbus, IN.
4:10p Annual General Membership Meeting
Join us for a review of committee activities and other issues like BCAP, arsenic, asbestos, cypress sustainability and more. Hear what you need to do to protect your business from regulatory interference, and vote for our new Board of Directors for 2012.
6:00p Affiliate Reception
Spend time with friends and suppliers over cocktails as we review the latest product offerings from MSC Affiliate Member companies.
7:30p Evening on Your Own
Thursday, October 27
8:00a The Crow Report
As we go into the 2012 Presidential election year, the economy, jobs, housing, trade and other issues will either bring the nation together or further polarize the public and congress. Will the President’s deferral of new environmental regulations help industry and the economy? Will bioenergy resurface in the 2012 Farm Bill? Hear MSC’s legislative expert review current and future issues that will impact your business. Speaker: David Crow, DC Legislative and Regulatory Services, Washington, DC.
9:30a Sustainability’s Impact on Your Business
In a recent national survey, almost 70% of consumers expressed concern for the environmental impact of gardening products. A growing number of retailers have responded with new demands for sustainability from vendors. Businesses using natural resources face increasing pressures to prove their environmental friendliness. This session will explore what sustainability means and what you can do to meet the growing demand for environmental responsibility. Presenter: Daniel Krohn, Colorbiotics, Ames, IA.
10:30a Coffee Break
11:00a New Colorant Technologies
As the market continues to evolve for alternative raw materials, colorants have played a key role in expanding industry options. Join our panel discussion on new colorant technologies and what they will mean for the mulch and soil industry.
12:00p Keynote Luncheon
Taking Control of Environmental Issues
America is ready for a new vision of conservation and environmental stewardship that is based upon hope instead of fear. In order to share this vision we must first reintroduce the American consumer to the processes and the people of production and then lead – not just fight – the discussion over our environment. Those who work at the ground level in implementing society’s framework for protecting the environment are positioned at the leading edge of the changes and challenges of this discussion. That edge provides exciting opportunities and hope. Speaker: Bruce Vincent, President, Communities for a Great Northwest, Libby, MT.
1:30p Coffee Break
2:00p Forest Industry Trends & Forecast
Competitive uses for wood fiber are continuing to change the forest products markets. This session will focus on the influence biomass, co-generation, pellets, biofuels and national economic trends are having on the present market and the future outlook for forest products and wood fiber availability nation wide. Speaker: Rocky Goodnow, Forest Economic Advisors, Westford, MA.
3:15p Coffee Break
3:45p New Packaging Technologies
Join us for a lively panel discussion of what is new in packaging technology and what new developments are coming soon.
5:15p President’s Reception
Join us for an evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to network with old friends and new industry participants.
6:30p Meeting Ends - Evening on your own
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