The event, at the Des Moines Holiday Inn on Merle Hay Road on March 28-29, drew recycling personnel from more than 43 businesses, said Dana Adamy, executive director of GMARE.

"From the comments that I received, it was felt that the speakers were very educational and informative," Adamy said.  "They came away with some ideas to help in their own facilities."

One of the event's highlights was a tour of five automotive recycling centers in the Des Moines area to view different methods of recycling, Adamy said.

"I felt that the tour was a great benefit for all of the members," said Bill Clemmons, employee of A&A truck Parts of Topeka, Kan. "I was impressed with the different liquid-recovery systems that each yard had."

On March 29, Shannon Nordstrom, vice president of Nordstrom' Automotive Inc. in Garretson, S.D., presented a seminar titled "Ebay Sales Dos & Don'ts." He started off the morning with an informative lecture, followed by a question and answer format. 

Another Internet-related seminar was "Recycled Part Trends and E-commerce" presented by Jeff Schroder, president of Car-Part.com.  The recyclers also had an opportunity to get information on airbag training through a seminar hosted by Nu-Parts Automotive Products.

Environmental, health, and safety concerns were addressed in a seminar hosted by Mitch Ricketts, Health Safety & Environmental coordinator for Kansas State University Research & Extension; and Sue Schauls, environmental specialist from the University of Northern Iowa.

Saturday was closed out with a social hour, banquet dinner, and auction.  The planning committee will meet in June to determine a place and date for next year's exposition.