CSPA To Address Industry Leaders, Members at 97th Annual Meeting

The Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) will host its 97th annual meeting on Dec. 5-9, 2010 at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The yearly event, which draws participation from hundreds of companies representing the aerosol, air care, cleaners, polishes, automotive care, antimicrobial and pest management industries, will be an opportunity to discuss key issues and learn new methods for business improvement as well as evaluate the year that was.

To better leverage the location and expected attendance for this year’s annual meeting, CSPA also will host its 7th Annual International Affairs Conference on December 4-5, during the days leading up to the annual meeting.

“The annual meeting is always an exciting time for our organization and the members we serve,” said Chris Cathcart, president, CSPA. “For those attending it is not only an opportunity for fellowship and networking, but also learning about the positive things happening within industry and discussing the important issues we face.”

The annual meeting has been a time-honored staple at CSPA, drawing members from far and near together since the association’s beginnings in 1914.

Confirmed presenters of note at this year’s meeting include representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Sara Amundson, executive director of the Human Society Legislative Fund. Other invited participants include Andy Igrejas, director, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, and Richard Dennison, senior scientist for the Environmental Defense Fund.

Additionally, there will be new special sessions and division programs, including CSPA’s Cleaning Products and Industrial Automotive Divisions’ “Web & Wireless Communications Tools;” the Antimicrobial Products Division’s “Advances in Antimicrobial Technology;” the Polishes & Floor Care Division’s “Understanding the ‘Green Cleaning’ Approach;” the Air Care Division’s “Science, Emotion and Scent: understanding responses to scents and odors;” and the Aerosol Products Division’s “Manufacturing and Marketing Aerosols in Today’s Regulatory Environment.”There also will be several sessions pertaining to chemical management policy.

Another projected draw for this year’s meeting will be the special CSPA Green Products and Sustainability Summit moderated by Scott Mobley, research fellow at Clorox. The summit, which takes place on Wednesday afternoon, December 8, will present an opportunity to explore the past, present and future sustainability of consumer products. Additionally, program attendees will be able to participate in an open dialogue regarding government regulation and the advocacy community’s prospective as it pertains to product sustainability. The FTC’s recently published proposed “Green Guides” will be among the topics discussed. Other confirmed participants include Green Seal President and CEO Arthur B. Weissman, PhD, Don Versteeg, Procter and Gamble, Steve Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, and the Lowell Center for Sustainability Production at the University of Massachusetts.

In a departure from the more traditional keynotes selected for past annual meetings, CSPA is bringing in accomplished symphony conductor and motivational speaker, Boris Brott to address attendees. Brott’s interactive presentation, which draws comparisons between business organizations and symphony orchestras, has inspired thousands across corporate America.

The Annual International Affairs Conference – Global Challenges, Trends and Outlook will focus on three specific areas of interest: REACH, (emphasizing compliance and other critical issues); Latin America (how new regional business, trade, sustainability, and product stewardship developments are impacting the market); and Transnational (updates on progress and priorities of key international issues and global product strategy).

For those desiring to attend both the annual meeting and the International Affairs Conference, CSPA is offering a $100 discount off of the conference registration fee.

To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, learn more about the events, or to register for the annual meeting and the International Affairs Conference, visit online at www.cspa.org or call (202) 872-8110.