Solid Waste Association of North America - Arkansas Chapter: Annual Conference and Meeting/Little Rock – August 5 – 7

The Arkansas Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (“AR SWANA”) has scheduled its annual conference (“Conference”) for August 5 – 7.

The Conference will be held at the Chenal Event Venue & Aloft in Little Rock, Arkansas.  

AR SWANA is a Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America.   The Chapter states that it:

                … promotes excellence in waste resource management in our State.  

Further, the organization states that through development of local and regional conferences and training seminars, and working with the National SWANA organization, it encourages environmentally and economically sound solid waste management practices.

AR SWANA states that the upcoming annual conference marks its return of the full multi-day conference for the first time since 2019.  Further, the organization notes that in addition to educational programming, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in optional conference excursions, including:

• A tour of the Arkansas State Capitol and meeting with Representatives Randy Thurman of Government Solutions
• Trap shooting outing at the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation Shooting Sports Complex in Jacksonville

Professional development and licensing credit are available toward:

• SWANA certifications
• Six-hour update required by the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment – Division of  Environmental Quality for Solid Waste Operator License

Currently scheduled education sessions include:

• Landfill elevated temperature conditions – Mike Caldwell – Waste Management
• Date-driven safety and landfill gas operations – Matt Taylor – LoCi
• What’s going on in Northwest Arkansas/Panel Discussion
  • George Wheatley, SW Specialist
  • Brian Pugh – City of Fayetteville
  • Robyn Reed – Boston Mountain Solid Waste District
  • Charlotte Pitt – Recycling Partnership
  • Jason Davis – City of Siloam Springs
• Keynote Speaker – Amy Burke –National  SWANA Executive Director
• Why Environmental Education Matters to Solid Waste Professional – Sofia  Stephenson – Arkansas Environmental Education Association
• Landfill Fires - Jeff Phillips and Todd Courtney – SCS Engineers
• AI Data into Action – Bryan Staley – Environmental Research and Education Foundation
• Container Management/Panel Discussion
  • Joe Harper – City of Conway
  • Wes Glakas – Sierra Container
  • Andreas Gruson – Fleet Genius
  • Duane McDonald – City of Fort Smith
• Statewide Solid Waste Plan Update – Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment – Division of Environmental Quality – Colbie Jones
• SEEK Update - Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment – Division of Environmental Quality – Colby Ungerank
• Compliance Update and Environmental Officer Program - Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment – Division of Environmental Quality – Ryan Hayden

I will be undertaking both and antitrust briefing and a Solid Waste and Recycling Update. 

Other events include:

• Exhibit Hall
• AR SWANA Chapter goals review and input from members/attendees
• AR SWANA Chapter annual meeting
• Reception and Entertainment – Jonathan Erlandson - Magic
• Young Professionals Event Dinner (35 years and younger)
• Top Golf Little Rock

View a copy of the conference brochure here.