Go West Young Man!

Head on out and get your surfin’ on. To culminate their 40th anniversary celebration, the Portable Sanitation Association International (PSAI) will host its annual convention and trade show in San Diego, California, October 30 through November 3.

The convention will feature past presidents who will share their memories on what the industry was like and the changes that have occurred over the decades.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Anyone involved in the portable sanitation industry. Registration continues online. Walk-ups can come too.

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?

The convention and trade show will offer a great opportunity to meet with leaders in the industry from across the globe, including associate members.

Attendees also get to stay in the beautiful Town and Country Resort and Conference Center surrounded by lush landscapes, three pools, and five restaurants on 32 beautiful acres where the average temperature is 70 degrees in November. Who doesn’t want to do that?

WHAT’S GOING ON?

Speakers:

Michael Villaneva, technical director for the California Leafy Green Marketing Agreement, will talk about standards in good agricultural practices for portable restrooms. You’ll learn about good and bad practices, general requirements, soil amendments, environmental assessments, worker practices, water use, and field observations.

David Medeiros, Rhode Island State Police Officer in charge of the commercial enforcement unit with more than 15 years in commercial vehicle enforcement, will discuss the Department of Transportation rules and regulations to help keep you in compliance and improve safety.

Workshops:

The Modern Office—Defining and Optimizing the Tools your Business Needs Today
Learn how to make today’s technology work for your business from a 25-year-veteran in the technology field, Ed Klemz.

An Introduction to Entering the Government Contract World
Learn the ins and outs of government contracting—how to look at (and understand) the contracts, and how to put together a bid from industry insider Terri Baldwin Flanigan. She has experience analyzing, drafting, and submitting bids as well as contract management.

Round Table Discussions:

Brokers: The New Competitor
Creative Marketing
Image and Quality Control
Trucks and Pumps: Managing and Repair Costs
Cell Phone/Radios and new DOT regulations
Driver Hiring/Firing/Training
Sales and Use Tax
Good Agricultural Practices

Common Interests by Company Size:

Less than 500 units
500 to 1500 units
1501 to 3000 units
More than 3000 units

Field Trips and Fun Stuff:

Diamond Environmental Services
Come out to see Eric Dejoin and Warren VanDam’s state-of-the-art facility and learn the secrets to success. After the tour, golfers will board a bus to the golf tournament while others will visit Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens for a brewery tour. You will have the opportunity to eat at the brewery or wait until you later when you visit Sea Port Village.

Fore!
Board a special bus for the golfers to play a round of golf after the tour. The Hole in One Golf Tournament will take place at the Riverwalk Golf Club with undulating fairways, waterfalls, and well-protected bentgrass greens. The San Diego River is a prominent feature of the layout, contributing to the beauty and challenge of the course. Anyone with a verified hole in one will win $10,000! Cost is $89.
Retro-Reflective—A Night of Dinner, Dancing, & Celebrating!
Come party and help PSAI celebrate 40 years with great food, company, and music.

M.Z. Andy Gump Award
Nominations will be accepted through October 5! This lifetime achievement award will honor an individual that has improved the image of the industry and has created innovative approaches for sanitation needs through new and improved products and services. The winner will be announced at the convention and is selected based on how they conduct business and their personal relationships with fairness and integrity; how they have worked to improve the image of the industry; if they have introduced any innovative approaches to addressing portable sanitation needs; if they have created any new products, services, or related technology; how they lead colleagues in the advancement of the portable sanitation industry; and how they exhibit vision in responding to economic challenges facing the industry.

Nominations for the M.Z. Andy Gump Award should include a written nominating letter that outlines the nominees’ qualifications, outstanding achievements, contributions, and services in the portable sanitation industry. Nominations may be emailed, info@psai.org; faxed 952-854-7560; or mailed to Portable Sanitation Association International, 7760 France Avenue South, 11th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55435 U.S.A.

Service Technician of the Year Award

The grand prize winner will be announced at the show and will receive $1,000. The second place winner will receive $500. This award honors the top service technicians that embody the highest standards in the global industry. Winners are selected based on their safety on the road, personal safety, dependable customer service, cooperation and compliance with employer and industry guidelines and standards, and concern for company equipment in their care. Nominations were due September 26.

Distinguished Service Recognition Sani Award

This award recognizes outstanding employee contributions to the professionalism and success of the member company and the association. Winners will receive a certificate and lapel pin, and be highlighted on the PSAI website. Winners are chosen based on their service in any capacity with an operator or associate PSAI member company, have a minimum of 10 years of industry experience, currently employed by the nominating company or have recently retired since the previous year’s award ceremony, and must be a non-shareholder submission. Nominations were due in March.

Scholarship Fund

Eight scholarships valued up to $3,000 each will be awarded at the convention.

Health and Safety Certification

Attendees will be able to test for their certification.

Plus tons of exhibitors!

So “go west young man, haven’t you been told? California’s full of women, whiskey and gold!” Okay, so there may not be many women or much whiskey at the convention, but you may learn enough to make you a lot of gold and have fun to boot.

For more information on the Portable Sanitation Association International (PSAI) and the upcoming convention and trade show, please visit www.psai.org.

Story by Jennifer Taylor

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