SWANA Blog

Engaging YOU to Help US Plan an Effective Public Engagement Strategy

Written by Sarah Beidleman | Feb 4, 2020 2:00:00 PM

By: Marc Rogoff, Ph.D.

Do you want to learn about what's happening with recycling, PFAs, landfill gas, and other challenging solid waste issues? How about networking with 1,000+ other solid waste professionals? If so, join me at SWANApalooza 2020 in Atlanta on March 23-26, a technical conference designed especially for us.  

On Tuesday, March 24, Mark Spafford and I will host a crowdsourcing, problem-solving session on developing a public engagement strategy for a proposed waste-to-energy (WTE) plant in Anchorage, Alaska. This crowdsourcing format is perfect for what we are trying to do – to tap into the collective experience of SWANA members and the hundreds of technical experts and others attending SWANApalooza who have implemented greenfield landfills, transfer stations, WTE plants, collection or other large public works projects.  

We want your help! Help us engage our community effectively, right from the start. Help us identify and avoid common pitfalls and mistakes, and focus on what works -- flyers, townhalls, social media? Mark and I will be asking a lot of questions of the audience and hope for answers, recommendations and even more questions to consider.  

If you had to implement your public engagement strategy again, what would you have included, done differently, avoided altogether? And, if you haven’t implemented this kind of campaign in the past, you’ll walk away with great information to help you get it right, right from the start. Bring your questions and experience to this session!

Attend Special Crowdsourcing Session! Developing an Effective Public Engagement Campaign on Tuesday, March 24, from 4:45-5:45. Meet you in Atlanta! Learn more and register here

Marc Rogoff, Ph.D.

With more than 38 years of experience in solid waste management as a public agency manager and consultant, Dr. Marc J. Rogoff has completed more than 500 assignments worldwide on all facets of solid waste management. He is recognized internationally as an expert in the procurement and operations of solid waste collection, recycling and materials recovery programs and facilities, and the economic feasibility of solid waste systems. He won SWANA's Life Member Award and was honored for the award at WASTECON® 2019 in Phoenix, AZ.

 

 

Mark Spafford

Mark Spafford is the General Manager of Anchorage Solid Waste Services. He manages all financial issues including operations and capital budgeting and expenditure and revenues for disposal and collection services including recommendations for rates and user fees. Overseeing a staff of over 100 full time, part time, and seasonal employees, Spafford works with the Mayor, Municipal Manager, Administration staff and the Municipal Assembly to set policies for operation of the disposal and collection utilities.