Attendees, register by April 29 for lowest prices! Click here to download conference information, agenda, and registration.  Exhibitors & sponsors, register by April 22 for lowest prices!  Click here to download conference information, agenda, and registration.  Remember to make your hotel reservations by April 15! See the attendee or exhibitor/sponsor registration materials for the hotel information.  Conference Highlights: “Building Lasting Change for Waste Reduction through the Tools of Music and Multi-Media”  Keynote Performance by Jack Kaufmann with special guest Steve Sharp. The Chicago Tribune described In-The-Green Production's Jack Kaufmann as a "high energy enviro-tainer who draws on vast creative resources to teach and inspire audiences..."  Music and multi-media are the "tools" Kaufmann has used for more than fifteen years, thus blending his heartfelt original compositions with recognizable cover tunes.  His music is enhanced by a compelling slide presentation, which includes a steady flow of educational information and captivating images of visualized natural beauty. Recently, Jack was awarded the "outstanding environmental educator of the year" by the Illinois Recycling Association/Illinois EPA.  For this conference, Jack is pleased to announce the addition of long time friend and musical partner, Steve Sharp. A three-time winner at the Chicago Music Awards, Steve's dynamic guitar and harmony work adds an exciting dimension to the show. (Visit http://in-the-green.net for more info) You will have many opportunities to hear from and meet Jack and Steve. They are going to join us at the welcome reception on May 16 to play acoustical cover selections. Then they will deliver the keynote presentation at lunch on Tuesday May 17 and do a performance aimed at elementary-aged students as part of the May 18 lunch presentation.  Welcome Reception Join us for the welcome reception, planned to be held at the Gallery North on the courthouse square, just 3 blocks from the Convention Center! Listen to great live music from Jack Kaufmann and Steve Sharp, catch up with old and new friends, and check out great art made with recycled /salvaged materials! Admission also includes wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, & fun. Additional beer, wine, and soft drinks available at cash bar. Monday, May 16 from 7 pm – 10 pm. $10 members and members’ guests; $15 non-members.  Pre-conference Tour The tour stops at two local reuse facilities, the IU Surplus Store, and Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, with a final stop at the Oliver Winery for a private group tour (www.oliverwinery.com). Tour bus/van scheduled to leave convention center at 2:00 pm on Monday, May 16. Tour participants should expect to return to Convention Center/hotel by 5:30 pm. No charge for tour, but pre-registration required.   Recycler’s Live and Silent Auction and Reception Bid on a treasure you can’t live without, and support the IRC at the same time! As always, we’ll have a wide variety of recycled-content and earth-friendly items for you to give as gifts, or to keep for yourself.  Special items will be auctioned live to wrap up this fun event. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. The auction/reception is open to all conference registrants/exhibitors and their guests. If you have something to donate to the auction click here.  Exhibit Hall Check out unique displays of recycling collection and processing equipment, special/hazardous and solid waste handling services, recycled-content products and excellent information in the exhibitor area on May 17 & 18.  Make some great contacts; learn about products, services, and resources to improve your waste reduction and recycling programs!   Plenary Session with Barry Connell of The Center for Environmental Communications Barry Connell is Executive Director of the non-profit Center for Environmental Communications. The Center conducts research and educational projects in waste management. The Center works to limit exposure to products or wastes that may degrade human health or environmental quality, and promotes public policies and private investment in services or technologies that maximize resource conservation and pollution prevention.  Mr. Connell has researched the social barriers to public acceptance of new or innovative technologies in solid and hazardous waste management, and in biosolids recycling. Other projects include a project to identify the reasons why pesticide applicators do not participate in waste amnesties, a project to develop school chemical management plans, and a project to increase recycling rates for a culturally diverse urban community. He has also researched mercury and fluorescent lamp recycling, electronic product demanufacturing, integrated pest management, and used oil and oil filter management. He has developed educational/source reduction programs for Denver, CO, and Reno, NV. He has developed environmental education and behavior change programs for Asian immigrants for both the EPA and for the state of California. IRC’s Annual Meeting and Breakfast On May 18, acknowledge and celebrate all of the hard work done by our volunteers during the past year and get an update on the Indiana Recycling Coalition’s current projects and plans for the upcoming year. Over a hearty hot breakfast, find out the election results for the IRC Board of Directors! Newly elected board members will be officially introduced to the membership and welcomed to the board.  Breakout Sessions Learn about a variety of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling issues in your choice of two sessions on Tuesday, May 17, and two sessions on Wednesday, May 18. You’ll gain valuable knowledge, and come away excited and reinvigorated!  See session descriptions in agenda.  Capnote Lunch Presentation by Kate Krebs of the National Recycling Coalition Hear about the National Recycling Coalition’s new tools and resources for increasing waste reduction.  Environmental Education Workshop: “On The Road To Environmental Literacy” Find a path to environmental literacy at the Spring 2005 Environmental Education Workshop for Educators: “On The Road To Environmental Literacy.” This workshop is offered as the third track of breakout sessions on Wednesday, May 18. Find out what the National Report Card says about our environmental knowledge, explore biodiversity, and experience the Great Recycling Soybean. After lunch, find out more how conservation on the farm affects the non-farmer. An alternate activity includes a tour of the Central Recycling and Reuse facility of the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District. The workshop concludes with addressing issues of freedom in ordering a side order of environmental quality and some special door prizes. All great resources for educators! Come join us May 18.  Be sure to note that you will be attending this special session on your registration form.