Letter from the Editor: Face-to-face still has the upper hand

Like many people during the pandemic, I transitioned to a work-from-home scenario and never fully looked back. For the past few years, my commute has been about ten steps, and my dog has been thrilled to have me around all day. But even with the efficiencies of remote work, there's an energy that only exists when a team is in the same room, bouncing ideas off each other and asking questions that they might not bother to send over a chat app.

The spontaneity is a major part of why I still appreciate getting out of the house and into the office from time to time (that, and the undeniable allure of Sweet Treat Fridays). The same logic applies, at a much larger scale, to the trade shows and events in the industry. While one might expect trade shows to be less relevant in an era of video calls and virtual demos, the opposite is often true.

Recycling, after all, is a relationship-driven business. A shredder, a baler, or a sorting system isn't something most people want to evaluate purely through a laptop screen or a spec sheet; these are significant investments, and processors often work with the same suppliers for years. It's much easier to build a foundation of trust when you can speak directly with the people behind the equipment and get a real-time feel for how they respond to your specific needs.

That's exactly why these events continue to matter. Technology has changed how we communicate, but it hasn't changed the importance of relationships, and relationships are still built the same way they always have been.

I recently returned from CONEXPO-CON/AGG, and like most people in this industry, I'm already looking ahead to the next event. Preparations are underway for this year's ReMA Convention & Exposition, where the industry will gather for a few days of equipment launches, policy discussions, and candid conversations. In June, the Recycling Product News team is off to the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries' 2026 convention in Gatineau, Quebec. I'll have the pleasure of moderating the Next Generation Panel, a session dedicated to the rising voices who are actively shaping where this industry goes next. You can read more about it on page 42.

Whether you're a regular on the trade show circuit or making it out to just one event this year, these gatherings are worth the trip. The recycling industry has no shortage of important conversations to have right now, and the best ones tend to happen in person. No matter which events you're attending this year, I hope to see you there!

This article originally appeared in the March/April 2026 issue of Recycling Product News.