My Favorite BIR Convention

I became chairman of ReMA in 2008. I attended my first BIR that May. It was in Monte Carlo, and they were celebrating their 60-year anniversary. It was my first time there, and the Monday night opening party was extra special because of the anniversary. It was a sit-down dinner and, suddenly, the entire roof opened up and fireworks were exploding in the sky! It was such an amazing, magical night! It’s how I always think of and remember BIR: that first amazing night.

When I think about my favourite BIR Convention memory, it is hard to choose just one. It may have been a deal that began with a simple conversation, a presentation that inspired a new way of thinking, or a friendship that started with a handshake and grew stronger over time. For me, BIR has always been about much more than business. It is about the people you meet, the trust you build, and the moments that remind you this industry is a global family. Some of the most valuable opportunities in my career began with conversations I never expected to lead anywhere — and that is the magic of BIR. I am grateful for every meeting, lesson and friendship, and look forward to many more conversations, opportunities and memories to come.

A moment I will always remember is the Convention in Copenhagen, where the Plastics Committee was officially transformed into the Plastics Division. When Alicia Garcia Franco announced this during the General Assembly and Susie Burrage invited me to come on stage to say a few words, I realised how special that moment was. I am convinced that this was an important step for BIR. Plastic recycling is receiving increasing attention worldwide and plays an essential role in the transition to a circular economy. Having its own Division gives our sector the recognition, visibility and position it deserves.

One memory always sticks with me. In Brussels in 2021, my first meeting of the conference was with three ladies from Metal Radar, a Ukrainian news reporting company. They started talking to me in Russian. Looking perplexed, I had to interject after about 30 seconds and say, “Apologies, I only speak English.” They said, “Oh! Because of your name, we thought you were Russian!” We always recount this story when we meet. I also remember the “micro meetings”, as I call them, that happen between appointments. You are conscious of not being late for your next meeting, but you also do not want to appear rude to the person you have stopped to talk to en route.

In May 1998, I had the privilege of attending the BIR Convention in Paris. The Welcome event was held at Château de Chantilly, which did not sound like my kind of event. My father and one of my sisters persuaded me to go. We had the most amazing evening touring the château, particularly the stables, before watching the Lipizzaner horses perform in an indoor arena. It was a truly magical experience.

My favourite memory goes back to my first BIR Convention in 1990, just before I got married. It was a party organised by commodities trader Marc Rich, whose company later became part of Glencore. The event took place on a boat and brought together many great names from the industry. Some of them are sadly no longer with us today: John Crabb, Alan Crowe, Omar Shah, Nigel Clarkson and Malcolm Wallace. My good friend Nathan Fruchter, who was also with Marc Rich at the time, is still going strong today. Fond memories.

My lasting memories of BIR Conventions are the people. They provide a unique opportunity to spend time with peers from fellow trade associations and some of the recycling industry's most respected leaders. While the plenary sessions are always valuable, it is often the conversations outside the meeting rooms that are the most memorable. Attending my first Advisory Council dinner at the Raffles Hotel really stands out. The historic setting, excellent food and exceptional hospitality made it a memorable occasion. More importantly, it brought together senior leaders from across the global recycling industry in a relaxed environment where experiences, ideas and stories could be shared. It perfectly captured the relationships and sense of community that make BIR so special.

My favourite BIR Convention memory is Barcelona in May 2022. The textiles session, “2025 and beyond – on a path to a circular textile industry?”, showed how central BIR is for the future of textile reuse and recycling. What truly made that Convention unforgettable, though, was the social side: a great welcome evening and an even better party – relaxed atmosphere, lively conversations, dancing and unexpected encounters that turned professional contacts into real connections.

My favourite BIR Convention memory must, without a doubt, be Istanbul in 1997. It was my first one and, as a young newcomer to the recycling industry, attending BIR was the ultimate experience. I remember being deeply impressed by meeting so many different people from all over the world. I have now attended almost 50 Conventions and, each time I’m about to go, I look forward to meeting good colleagues from the recycling industry, some of whom I first met back in Istanbul in 1997.

Having attended nearly 40 BIR Conventions, my strongest memories are of the friendships, networking and sense of camaraderie they have created. One event that particularly stands out was Monaco in 2008, when Marc Natan co-organised the evening and the Gipsy Kings performed. The market was at a high, everyone was in great spirits, and the black-tie setting of the gala evening gave the occasion a real sense of celebration. It is difficult to choose just one memory, however, because the lasting friendships formed through BIR have made so many Conventions memorable.

During a BIR Non-Ferrous Metals Division session on market requirements and material processing, I had the opportunity to contribute to the discussion by sharing my perspective. What made that moment memorable was not simply being able to speak, but realising that every member’s experience and opinion could become part of the conversation. Listening to different viewpoints and receiving a thoughtful response showed me that BIR is much more than a place to exchange market information. It is a community where knowledge is shared openly and every voice can add value. That experience strengthened my desire to become even more involved in the work of BIR, and it remains my favourite Convention memory to this day.

One of my fondest memories is from my first BIR meeting in Beijing in 2006. I was excited to attend the Welcome Evening in the Forbidden City, with local food, dancers and music. At the time, few Americans attended BIR events, so it was great to have more senior attendees help with networking. That first meeting confirmed BIR’s importance to our business, even when international trade is muted. Making good contacts and good friends over the last 20 years has been one of the highlights of my career.

My favourite moment from the BIR Convention in Gothenburg was not a single session or event. It was the moment I look forward to at every gathering, twice a year: reconnecting with colleagues and friends from across the international recycling industry, exchanging ideas, discussing the latest policy and market developments, and catching up face to face. These conversations show what makes BIR so valuable, reminding us that strong relationships and open dialogue are at the heart of driving our industry forward.

Honestly, each Convention seems to be better than the last, but this year's event in Gothenburg was particularly outstanding. There were several reasons for this. First, everything took place in the same venue, which was very centrally located. Having the Convention facilities so close to the hotel rooms was extremely convenient, especially if you had meetings or simply wanted to take a short break during the day. The central location also made it easy to explore part of the city, which was a great advantage. A similar arrangement was used for the BIR Convention in Budapest, and it worked very well there too. I would also like to highlight the Welcome Evening at the Liseberg amusement park. The venue itself greatly encouraged interaction among the participants. With different activities available, it naturally created opportunities to meet and engage with other attendees.

The best BIR Convention? The next one. Choosing just one memory is impossible, because every BIR Convention has brought something valuable. What stands out most is the unique atmosphere: competitors becoming collaborators, conversations turning into long-term partnerships, and friendships that extend far beyond business. Some of the most meaningful discussions I've had started unexpectedly over a coffee or at a Welcome Evening rather than in a meeting room. That openness and willingness to share knowledge is what makes BIR so special—and why I always leave each Convention inspired, with new ideas and even stronger relationships.

My favourite BIR Convention memory is at Gothenburg, Sweden in June 2026. As managing director of GHM, it was a proud moment to represent my company and Pakistan's recycling industry on a global platform. The Convention provided an excellent opportunity to meet industry leaders, exchange ideas, and build valuable business relationships with recyclers from around the world. The networking, knowledge sharing and friendships developed during the event made Gothenburg 2026 an unforgettable experience.

This is a hard one to pin down as I have many but I’d say Copenhagen, our "first" Convention after transitioning from large hotels to an exhibition centre. It was a real turning point for BIR. The energy on the exhibit hall floor was incredible: recyclers, traders, and equipment suppliers all in one space, with conversations happening everywhere you turned. Combined with outstanding plenary sessions, it proved the new format was exactly the right move for BIR.

My favourite BIR memory is attending my very first Convention and Young Traders event in Amsterdam at the Maritime Museum. Walking into a room full of people I had never met was a little daunting, and I remember being one of the first people there. However, everyone immediately made me feel welcome. The memorable Welcome Evening was the perfect start to what has become an incredible BIR journey. The friendships and business relationships I built have stayed with me ever since, and many of those people remain trusted business contacts and good friends today.