My Favorite BIR Convention

Of all the BIR Conventions I have attended, my first — in Dubai in May 2009 — remains my favourite. I arrived knowing very few people and left with new friendships that continue today. What stayed with me was the warmth of the BIR community and the sense that, although our industry spans countries and cultures, we share a common purpose. That Convention showed me that BIR is more than an industry organisation; it is a global network built on trust, friendship and mutual respect. Dubai marked the start of a journey that has enriched my professional and personal life.

To be frank, each BIR Convention is pretty unique. The first BIR Convention as newly appointed Secretary General of EuRIC (today Recycling Europe) is obviously unforgettable because I could feel the heartbeat of the recycling industry live. But if I had to choose one, I would say BIR Valencia in May 2025. With almost 2,000 participants, it simply beat all the records, allowing multiple business contacts for Galloo and the companies present. Content-wise, the programme was to the point at a time when trade restrictions had started to reshape global trade. That made BIR more relevant than ever as a platform able to address such challenges and defend the global recycling industry.

My favourite BIR Convention memory is the moment I realised that BIR is a community where competitors become collaborators, introductions become long-term partnerships, and every conversation has the potential to shape the future. One Convention that stands out vividly is Bangkok in 2025. What began as a casual conversation at a coffee station with someone I had never met quickly turned into an engaging discussion about market trends, sustainability and the shared challenges facing our industry. Months later, that conversation evolved into a trusted business relationship that continues to create value for both of us. The greatest value of BIR is not found in the agenda, but in the people.

One of my favourite memories from a BIR Convention is from the 2013 Warsaw event. Since my birthday coincided with the Convention, my wife Jill and I, Joan and George Adams, and my late friend and mentor Jerry Simms and his wife Terry went to dinner to celebrate. We had a fantastic meal, and we were even surprised by fireworks at the table. It’s been thirteen years since then, and it was an unforgettable and very special night.

Singapore 2024 is by far my favourite BIR Convention. One of the standout moments was watching my younger brother speak on a panel for the first time. Seeing him share his insights with industry peers was something I was really proud of.

My first BIR Convention was in Rome in 2012. I arrived feeling a little nervous but excited to get involved, meet new people, and reconnect with existing and future trading partners. It quickly became clear that BIR was a unique international community. Being invited to join the Young Traders Group was a real highlight, leading to many years of involvement and lasting friendships. The experience has been invaluable and continues to benefit me in my current role on the Minor Metals Committee at the MMTA. I’m proud to be a BIR member.

Since my first Convention in Zurich in 1967, I have attended close to 100 worldwide in fabulous settings, with memorable parties, new and old contacts, and enduring friendships. But from my many BIR memories, I would select the unique 2021 “Bash in Brussels”. Held during a tiny window amid Covid, it was inevitably a small gathering but charmingly intimate, featuring our first hybrid live/broadcast edition of “The Challenge”, with The Three Amigos and special guest George Adams. This Convention uniquely captured and reflected the remarkable resilience of both our industry and BIR itself during those difficult times. Thanks to this, we became stronger.

My favourite BIR memory is a funny one. At the 2007 BIR Convention in Athens, I flew from Paris sitting next to a man who looked vaguely familiar. We did not speak during the three-hour flight. Upon arriving at the BIR Convention, the first person I ran into was... my neighbour from the plane. He turned out to be a supplier whose yard I had visited less than a year earlier! I’m great with names but terrible with faces. Lesson learned: attending more BIR Conventions and repeatedly meeting people has greatly reduced the chances of embarrassing myself again.

My favourite memory is from Amsterdam in 2023, when my dear friend Susie Burrage was elected BIR President. My least favourite Convention was the last one held in Dubai in 2022, when I had to have an emergency tooth extraction and missed the Welcome Evening.

The 2008 BIR World Recycling Convention was held at the Fairmont Monte Carlo from 25 to 28 May to mark the 60th anniversary of the Bureau of International Recycling, founded in Amsterdam on 18 March 1948. A memorable celebration was organised, with the highlight being a prestigious Gala evening hosted by Director General Françis Veys in the magnificent Salle des Etoiles at the Sporting Monte Carlo. With its retractable roof opening onto the Mediterranean sky, the venue provided an exceptional setting for delegates and accompanying guests. An exquisite dinner was followed by a dazzling performance from the legendary Gipsy Kings, whose music soon had the audience dancing and singing together. As the evening drew to a close, the roof slowly opened to reveal the star-filled sky, before fireworks illuminated the Côte d'Azur. The celebration culminated with the BIR logo lighting up the night — a fitting tribute to 60 years of international cooperation and friendship.

My favourite part of every BIR Convention is the meeting of the It is a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss common challenges and learn from association leaders from around the world. Those conversations are always inspiring and remind me how much we can achieve by working together. I also have to say that BIR consistently chooses outstanding destinations, which create the perfect setting for combining business, networking and friendship. Every Convention leaves me with fresh ideas, stronger relationships and great memories.

My favourite BIR memory is not one particular event. It is the feeling of walking into a room where people from different countries, cultures and businesses come together with a shared purpose. We may have different experiences and perspectives, but we are united by a common belief that recycling creates value for both the economy and the environment. Over the years, BIR has given me the opportunity to exchange ideas, understand global challenges and build relationships based on mutual respect and trust. That spirit of openness is what keeps bringing me back. The true strength of BIR is not the size of the Convention; it is the strength of the community it continues to build.

My favourite memory of a BIR Convention dates back more than two decades, when I hardly knew anyone. On the bus to the Welcome Evening, I found myself sitting near Robert Voss and Tom Bird as they discussed the FIFA World Cup. They welcomed me into the conversation, and that simple act of kindness marked the beginning of lifelong friendships. Robert, Tom and I have remained close ever since. It is a reminder that some of life’s most meaningful relationships begin with a single conversation, and it is a memory from BIR that I will always cherish.

One of my favourite memories is receiving the award for most loyal exhibitor at BIR Conventions over the previous 10 years. The award was presented in Barcelona in May 2018, on the occasion of BIR’s 70th anniversary.

I have been to many BIR Conventions over the years and have many special memories, mostly linked to people although the locations have also played a part. At the 2002 Monte Carlo Convention, we were asked to follow a BIR staff member to the Young Traders event, which was within walking distance of the hotel. I followed a very chatty young lady who guided us through streets still decorated from the Formula 1 weekend. After the event, we returned to the hotel bar as a group and, quite by chance, I sat next to her. We talked for ages. A few years later, that young lady became my wife, and we are still very happy together, now living in the south of France, not far from Monte Carlo.

The inaugural BIR Middle East Convention, held in Dubai in 2009, is a memorable milestone for me in many ways. It was the first BIR event ever hosted in the region and my very first attendance. As Lucky Group was a lead sponsor at that event, I was also entrusted by our CEO with my first major marketing assignment: to coordinate our Group’s participation, manage a 20-member delegation and host international visitors from more than 15 countries at our plants and head office. That experience built my confidence, credibility and passion, ultimately leading me to attend more than ten BIR events worldwide.

My favourite memory is of my first-ever BIR Convention. As a young professional, I had fought hard to persuade my company to let me attend a BIR Convention. Returning home having done successful business gave me unmatched joy and confidence. On the first day, I could not break into conversations with any of the more than 800 delegates and began doubting my own abilities. But failure was not an option, so the next day I mustered the courage and did what I had to do. My career has never looked back since.

Looking back, my absolute favourite memory takes me to October 2022 at the BIR Convention in Dubai Festival City. At just 26, I was one of the youngest attendees, representing IORA International Pte. Ltd., Singapore — a proud Gold Member of BIR. As a young trader on my second trip to Dubai, the Convention opened up an incredible world for me. The Welcome Evening at Nikki Beach set an amazing vibe, followed by the unforgettable Young Traders Networking Evening at Atelier M Rooftop Bar. The Gold Member Lounge also became my go-to spot — a fantastic initiative that made networking both comfortable and productive. My most special memory happened outside the exhibition floor. Wanting to visit the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, I ran into my ex-boss, Mr Dhawal Shah. Knowing I was new to the city, he kindly invited me to ride in the official management bus heading near the Burj Khalifa for the President’s Dinner. That gesture, and BIR’s kindness to the next generation, is something I will never forget.