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EVENTS > ANNUAL MEETING
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Knowledge and Networking
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The Largest Gathering of PVC Pipe and Fitting Manufacturers in the World
Every year in April, Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association members gather for our Annual Meeting – the largest gathering of PVC pipe and fitting manufacturers in the world.
Presentations cover topics ranging from market assessments for PVC pipe, vinyl resin and related chemicals, to sustainability, technology, legislative affairs and product certification. Participants come from around the world, and their ranks include pipe and fitting manufacturers, resin and additive providers, equipment manufacturers, affiliated associations, and non-profit certification agencies. Speakers include academics, business analysts, engineers, municipal officials, taxpayer advocates, public affairs specialists, etc.
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Marriott Beachside Hotel
Key West, Florida
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Schedule Summary
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Sunday, April 22
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Pre-Meeting Reception – Poolside
Monday, April 23
7:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon Joint Member Meeting/Presentations – Salon B
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Spousal Orientation – Salon C
Free Afternoon
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Welcome & Networking Reception – At the Beach
Tuesday, April 24
7:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon Chairs Remarks/Presentations – Salon B
12:30 p.m. Uni-Bell Golf Tournament – Key West Golf Course
Free Evening
Wednesday, April 25
7:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon Association Reports/Presentations – Salon B
12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Board of Directors' Meeting/Luncheon – PDR Room
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Grand Finale Dinner – Town Room
* Registration package includes free continental breakfast daily.
Attire is business casual/slacks unless specified otherwise.
Badges must be worn for all social events and presentations.
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Unleashing American Innovation with PVC Pipe: The Sustainable Solution for Corroding Water and Sewer Systems
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PROGRAM
America’s economic well-being and public health are dependent upon reliable and financially viable water and wastewater systems. Corroding metallic pipes are creating an epidemic in water main breaks, many of which were installed in the last 20 years. The operations and maintenance costs of these pipelines are increasing at unsustainable rates. In total, corrosion of our water and sewer infrastructure carries a $50.7 billion annual price tag. And this crisis gripping underground piping networks also includes 2.6 trillion gallons of lost drinking water every year, $4.1 billion in wasted electricity annually, traffic disruptions, depleted water supplies, skyrocketing insurance claims, political upheaval, etc.
There is a solution, so the future need not look so bleak. As decay takes hold of one water network after another, it’s becoming clear that the old ways of doing things are inadequate. PVC pipe is poised to make the 21st Century a corrosion-free era for water and wastewater infrastructure. It’s already the number one selling pipe with over 40,000 North American communities benefiting from its exceptional safety, durability and environmental attributes. What’s more, taxpayers benefit from its cost-effectiveness and long life cycle, which substantially reduce a utility’s operating costs and keeps water and sewer rates down – and makes investment by bond buyers much more attractive.
Some barriers still exist, especially when communities do not include PVC pipe in their bidding processes and continue to replace corroded pipes with the same outdated materials. A more sustainable solution is available and the way to set it in motion is to return to core American values – like open competition. Ensuring that all piping technologies get the consideration they deserve through open and fair procurement transactions will not only lower costs but drive innovation in the water and wastewater sector. It’s time to unleash American innovation and build corrosion-proof piping networks that will last for generations. This is our business and this will be our legacy.
This year’s meeting will feature presentations that will be inform you on the latest developments in the PVC pipe industry as well as prepare you and arm you with the strategies you need to increase market share for your company. Among the topics our guest speakers will address are the following:
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The latest on PVC resin and pipe markets
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Getting your business politically active
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New technologies for water and wastewater piping
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Using ‘progressive” language as a way to promote PVC pipe
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Influencing public policy on open competition
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New studies showing PVC pipe’s lower carbon footprint and low water main brake rate
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Opportunities from federal grants and funding programs
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PVC’s expanding role in the trenchless market, and much more…
Come join us at the Marriott Beachside Hotel in Key West, the southernmost city in the continental U.S where the ocean is always warm and natural beauty and recreational activities are second to none.
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Presentations
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Day 1 - April 23
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Update from the European Plastic Pipe Market
Jos Oosterik,Area Manager, Technology, Wavin Overseas B.V.
Current status and outlook on PVC pipe in Europe, highlighting new developments and reactions from around the world.
PVC: Key Drivers and Trends, Feedstock's Outlook and Worldwide Economic Factors
Steven Brien, Senior Director, Global Inorganics, HIS Inc.
Alook at capacity and demand in the global thermoplastics marketplace.
The Water and Waste Disposal Infrastructure Funding Program at USDA
Benjamin Shuman, P.E.,Senior Environmental Engineer Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
A discussion of the water and waste disposal infrastructure funding program at the USDA. Topics include the nature of the program, eligibility, and procurement policies.
The Transformation of the Water Industry
Jeffery Eger, Executive Director, Water Environment Federation (WEF)
The clean water sector is on the cusp of transforming from a wastewater industry to a resource recovery industry. Technology exists to create energy, products, and “new” water. The time has come for the entire sector to come together and apply the creativity and fresh thinking that can make what is technically possible a reality. WEF is launching several new initiatives to help facilitate that transformation and to inspire a new kind of public dialog about water.
Changing the National Pipe Replacement Strategy: PVC = Pipe Vanquishes Corrosion
Greg Baird, Former Utility CFO/Columnist
Our nation is currently trapped in a destructive cycle of placing metallic pipes in all of the wrong places and creating a corrosion epidemic affecting pipe sustainability, rate affordability and water quality. While every kind of pipe has its best use, "one size" or "one type" does not fit all.
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Day 2 - April 24
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Survey Results of United States and Canadian Water Main Failures
Dr. Steven Folkman, Ph.D., Mech. & Aero. Eng. Dept., Utah State University
During 2011 Utah State University conducted a survey of utilities across the U.S. and Canada to obtain data on water main failures. A total of 188 surveys were received from some 1,000 that were distributed, representing over 110,000 miles of pipe, or 10 percent of America’s installed water pipe network. Results show that PVC pipe’s failure rate is one half that of ductile iron and one tenth that of cast iron.
Influencing Public Policy on the Importance of Open Competition
Angela Logomasini, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI)
Find out how groups like the CEI can influence public policy on the benefits of competition and a free-marketplace. Recent work by the CEI promoting measures encouraging, even demanding, competitive bidding practices by local governments to allow all products and services to compete fairly, including PVC pipe, will also be discussed.
Environmental Impacts of PVC Piping Systems
Zoran Davidovski, VP Marketing & RD, Pipelife Group
An examination of the complete Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Environmental Product Declaration (EDP) results of major PVC piping applications, including water and sewer, undertaken by The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association. Also includes comparisons of different pipe materials.
Oxidative Degradation of HDPE Pipes from Exposure to Drinking Water Disinfectants
Dale B. Edwards, P.E., Senior Managing Consultant, Engineering Systems, Inc.
In some locales high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes have experienced premature failures traced back to a variety of causes including oxidation from potable water disinfectants such as chlorine. A review of the failure mechanisms will be presented along with a forensic analysis of some field failures.
The Progressive Case for PVC Pipe
Ezra Levant, TV Anchor/Columnist/Author
If we take our critics at face value, what pipes would we be using? Compare the alternatives materials using ‘progressive’ values and language and promote PVC pipe in this way.
An Overview of the Reclaimed Water/Water Reuse Market
G. Wade Miller, Executive Director, WateReuse Association (WRA)
Growing water scarcity and the need for more sustainable water practices has lead to a boom in the reclaimed water market across the U.S., with purple PVC pipe becoming the material of choice. This presentation will look at key initiatives being undertaken by the WRA, demand in the water reuse market and possible collaborative efforts with the PVC pipe industry.
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Day 3 - April 25
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Technology and Sustainability of PVC Pipe in Australia
Nigel Jones, Market Development Manager, Australian Vinyls Corporation Pty Ltd
The importance of the sustainability aspects of materials used in building and construction in Australia has led the Green Building Council of Australia to develop best practice guidelines for PVC building products. This presentation will look at what this has meant for PVC pipe in Australia and how technology is helping PVC pipe gain an advantage over competing materials.
Lubricating PVC Pipe Formulations – Current Issues and Options
TomPedersen, CEO & Technical Director, Rheogistics LLC
This paper will present a brief history of the supply of paraffin lubricants for rigid PVC over the last 40 years, changes in the paraffin wax refining industry, and an overview of the current structure and capabilities of the industry. The unique properties of paraffin waxes which make them the lubricants of choice for rigid PVC will be discussed. Cost effective options to traditional paraffin wax-based lubricants for PVC pipe extrusion developed by Rheogistics will also be presented.
PVC Pipe’s Increasing Penetration of the North American Trenchless Pipe Market
Bernard P. Krzys, Publisher, Trenchless Technology andUIM Magazine
A discussion of trends in the trenchless pipe market and the increasing role PVC is playing in North America’s underground piping networks owing to its long life cycle and ease of maintenance.
The Facts About Ductile Iron Pipe Corrosion
Michael J. Szeliga, P.E., Corrosion Expert/Senior Project Manager, Russell Corrosion Consultants, Inc.
A look at the impact of pipe-wall thickness reductions and lack of proper corrosion-control measures of ductile iron piping systems on water and sewer systems, including an examination of the corrosion problems affecting iron fittings.
Get Involved at the Federal, State and Local Levels
Tim Burns, Senior Consultant, PVC Pipe Association
Changing pipe material specifications often requires a political strategy. Your competition is very active politically so the only way to counter them is to get involved. Tim will discuss ways your company can make a difference politically and review Uni-Bell’s government relations activities over the last year.
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39TH ANNUAL MEETING
APRIL 18-20, 2011
LOEWS VENTANA CANYON RESORT
TUCSON, ARIZONA
"SMARTER SPENDING FOR CHALLENGING TIMES: REBUILDING AMERICA'S WATER/WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE WITH PVC PIPE"
Click here for the 2011 Annual Meeting Program
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