CHECK IN

To check in, visit the registration desk near the north entrance of Mystic Lake Center. If you registered, your name badge will be ready and waiting for you!

Any invoiced registrations must be fully paid before gaining admittance to the conference.

WALK-INS

Walk-ins are welcome! Any walk-in attendees must pay on site with a credit card.

TOURS

Tour attendees must be pre-registered to attend tours. All tour attendees received an email with details of their tour.

EVENT CENTER VS. CASINO

Mystic Lake has an Event Center entrance AND a hotel/casino entrance - make sure you get to the correct one! These entrances are on opposite sides of Mystic Lake. Watch signs closely when entering the Mystic Lake campus to make sure you get to the correct location.

If you are coming only to the conference and not checking in at the hotel, go directly to Mystic Lake Center on the North side of the campus. There is a self-park lot outside of the center.

If you are planning to stay overnight at the hotel, go to Mystic Lake Casino Hotel on the South side of the campus. There is complimentary valet at the hotel entrance and self-park lots to the south and west of the casino/hotel.

Please reference the map below for more clarification. If you happen to go to the wrong entrance you might end up getting in your steps for the day. But don't worry - the event center and casino are connected!

TRANSIT OPTIONS

Mystic Lake Shuttle
There are several free shuttle routes to/from the following locations:
• Mystic Express: Departs from the Transit Station at Mall of America
• Northtown Route: Serving Coon Rapids, Blaine and Columbia Heights
• Brooklyn Park Route: Serving Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center and Minneapolis
• St. Paul Route: Serving St. Paul
• North Mankato Route: Serving New Ulm, North Mankato, St. Peter and Le Sueur
• Waseca Route: Serving Waseca, Owatonna, Faribault, Northfield and Montgomery
• St. Cloud Route: Serving Waite Park, St. Cloud, Monticello, Buffalo, Rockford and Plymouth
• East Side Route: Serving St. Paul and Eagan

To sign up for ride updates: Text BUS to 57556 to receive text alerts about Mystic Lake bus route changes, cancellations and updates.
Please note: Most routes arrive late morning, so this is a better option for Day 1 (April 2). Also, the shuttle drops off at the casino side, so you will need to walk over to the conference center.

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority
In the south metro area, MVTA Routes 447 and 495 serve Mystic Lake. For Route 495, there are two park and ride lots:
• Shakopee: Marschall Road Transit Station (Weston Court north of 17th Avenue E. )
• Burnsville: Burnsville Transit Station (Highway 13 and Nicollet Avenue, northeast corner of intersection)

Get more information on the MVTA routes.
Carpool or Vanpool
If you know others going to the conference that live in your area, contact them to setup a carpool or vanpool. This can reduce fuel usage, improve air quality and decrease wear and tear on roads.

PARKING

Plenty of free parking is available immediately outside the Mystic Lake Center entrance. If you are staying overnight in the hotel, please use the lot closest to the main hotel entrance. If you are attending only for the day, please use the Mystic Lake Center entrance.

View the full agenda and timeline HERE.

View the EVENT MAP to see where you need to be!

View our Presenter Biographies HERE.

Special thanks to our Moderators!

Listed Alphabetically by Last Name

Sonya Betker, Stantec
Robert Craggs, Burns & McDonnell
Rob Friend
Paul Gardner, RAM President
Paul Gelbmann, Ramsey County
Mark Hackbarth, Vonco
Jenny Kedward, Hennepin County
Chelsea Moody, St. Paul Public Schools
Madeleine Partch, Minnesota Waste Wise
Kristin Pierskalla, Hennepin County
Baraka Poulin, Engineered Compost Systems
Amy Ulbricht, Anoka County
Elizabeth Walsh, Minnesota Waste Wise
Maggie Yauk, Anoka County

The conference provides dedicated wireless internet access throughout the meeting space.

Network: WiMeet1

Username: ramswana2024

Password: ramswana2024

Booth # Company

1 Apex Water Solutions

2 QED Environmental Systems Inc.

3 SMSC Organics Recycling Facility

4 Burns & McDonnell

5 Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations

6 Hennen Equipment/KOMPTECH

7 Cascade Cart Solutions

8 Busch Systems International, Inc.

9 RDO Equipment

10 Pac-Tech Manufacturing

11 CleanRiver Recycling Solutions

12 Pace Analytical

13 Rehrig Pacific Company

14 Apex Equipment, LLC

15 Rotochopper

16 Sanitation Products Inc

17 Savera Works

18 Scott Equipment Company

19 North American Trailers

20 SCS Engineers

21 Recovery Systems Co. Inc.

22 Safe Fleet

23 Central State Wire Products

24 Strategic Materials

25 Titan Machinery Inc

26 PaintCare

27 Stantec Consulting Services, Inc

28 Engineered Compost Systems

29 Carton Council

30 Liberty Paper

31 Minnesota Beverage Association

View the floorplan here

COMPLIMENTARY BEVERAGES (Served all day)
Freshly Brewed Colombian Coffee: Regular and Decaf
Hot Teas
Assorted Soft Drinks and Iced Teas: Regular, Diet and Decaf
Ice Water Stations

DAY 1 BREAKFAST
Brick Fired Bagels: Plain, Cinnamon Raisin, Everything, Blueberry and Whole Wheat
Smoked Salmon and Chive Spread, Cream Cheese and Light Cream Cheese, Sweet Butter, Marmalade and Assorted Jams
Sliced Fresh Fruits and Berries (V, Ve, GF)
Cage-Free Boiled Eggs (V, GF)
Yogurt
Orange, Apple and Cranberry Juices

DAY 1 LUNCH
Baby Iceberg Lettuce (V) Tomatoes, Scallions, Bleu Cheese, Bacon, Ranch and Balsamic Dressings (Bacon and Bleu Cheese served on the side)
Creamy Coleslaw
Deviled Egg Salad
Herb Chicken Salad
Portobello Mushroom and Three Sisters Soup
Potato Salad
Assorted Breads and Rolls
Assortment of Selected Cold Meats and Cheeses: Roast Turkey, Smokehouse Ham, Genoa Salami, Cheddar, Swiss and Provolone Cheese
Mayonnaise, Horseradish and Imported Mustards
Hummus
Roasted Tomatoes, Balsamic Portobello, Lettuce, Tomato Basil Wrap
Butterscotch Blondies, Double Chocolate Fudge Brownies, Milk Chocolate Cookies, White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies

HAPPY HOUR
Fig Jam & Goat Cheese Tart
Gruyere Cheese Croquettes with Lemon Chive Aioli
Mini Caprese Bites (GF, V)
Tuscan Vegetable Spiedini (GF, V)

DAY 2 BREAKFAST
Sliced Fresh Seasonal Fruits and Berries
Bakery Fresh Assortment of Sweet Rolls, Muffins and French Butter Croissants Sweet Butter, Marmalade and Assorted Jams
Yogurt
Granola
Scrambled Eggs: Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese and Chives
Cinnamon Swirl French Toast: Pure Maple Syrup
Hickory Smoked Bacon
Link Sausage
Hash Browns
Orange, Grapefruit and Cranberry Juices

DAY 2 LUNCH
Baby Field Greens, Choice of Ranch or French Dressings
Coleslaw
Watermelon Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese, Basil and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Buns, Cheddar and Swiss Cheese
Fresh Buttered Corn
Jo-Jo Fries
Pulled Pork
Southern Fried Chicken
Sweet Buttered Roasted Red Pepper and Cheddar Cheese Cornbread Vegan: BBQ Slow Smoked Beef Brisket
Apple Pie, Chocolate Pecan Pie

The conference has been approved for the continuing education credits listed below. If you requested to receive credit when you registered, you will receive a CEU certificate within three weeks of the conference. There will be a CEU sign up sheet at registration as well.

Minnesota Department of Health
This conference has received approval for up to 10 contact hours from Minnesota Department of Health. Day 1 equals 5.0 contact hours (Day 1 Tour/Tour Alternative equals 2.5 hours, Day 1 Afternoon equals 2.5 hours) and Day 2 equals 5.0 contact hours for in-person attendees.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
This conference has received approval for up to 9.0 contact hours from MPCA. Day 1 equals 4.0 contact hours (Day 1 Tour/Tour Alternative equals 2.0 hours, Day 1 Afternoon equals 2.0 hours) and Day 2 equals 5.0 contact hours for in-person attendees.

In an effort to lead by example, we are committed to integrating sustainability into our events as best as possible. We focus on applying sustainability to menu choices, waste and recycling management, exhibitor best practices, attendee participation, and communications and marketing. Learn more HERE.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Did you know the RAM/SWANA conference falls during Food Waste Prevention Week? At Mystic Lake Center, back of house food waste prevention will include composting and working with Chef to repurpose unused ingredients.

In addition to reducing food waste, we're reducing our impact by opting for more plant based menu items, bulk food options (rather than individually packaged) and reusable dishware. YOU can help out by (1) bringing your own water bottle/thermos and (2) placing dishware and recyclables on trays located throughout the event space.

PAPER & PRINTED MATERIALS

We're limiting printed items by using digital signage and providing a QR code to access the conference program. Consider reducing your own paper use by taking photos of business cards or connecting online. It all adds up!

TRANSPORTATION

There are a handful of public transportation options to Mystic Lake, listed in the Mystic Lake: Where to Go & How to Get There dropdown. Carpooling is also a good option!

Complimentary EV charging stations are located onsite as well.

VENUE

Yes, we know there’s plastic on the toilets! Perhaps don’t press the button to dispense new plastic. Instead, stay hygienic by putting toilet paper on the seat.

Join the conversation on your favorite social media platform using hashtag #RAMSWANA2024

Special thanks to the Conference Planning Comittee for their hard work!

Listed Alphabetically by Last Name

Terese Bordeau, Ramsey County

Lorilee Blais, Western Lake Superior Sanitary District

Megan Dobratz, Native Sustainability

Matthew Domski, Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (Mntap)

Matthew Evans, Burns & Mcdonnell

Robert Friend

Susan Heffron, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Paul Gardner, Clean Water Council

Chris Guillemette, Vonco

Nathan Klett, Foth

Lori Nelson, Recycling Association Of Minnesota

Kristin Pierskalla, Hennepin County

Michael Reed, MBA, Ramsey County

Peder Sandhei, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Steve Schiefelbein, Republic Services

Jodi Taitt, Ecoconsilium

Angela Trygg, Native Sustainability

Nick Vetsch, Stantec

Caleb Werth, Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy

Maggie Yauk, Anoka County

Emily Youngs, Events By Emily, LLC

An electronic survey will be sent via email shortly after the conference. We ask that you take a few minutes to share your feedback. The results will help us improve our future conferences.

Cancellations received in writing on or before March 1, 2024 are fully refundable. No refunds will be allowed after March 1, 2024. Non-payment or non-attendance does not constitute cancellation. Notice of substitutions must be made in writing and sent to: eventsbyemilymn@comcast.net.

Member pricing is applicable only to current Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) or Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) members. If you can not verify your membership, you will be billed at the non-member rate.

The event location is accessible to persons with disabilities and persons who are wheelchair users. For individuals requiring accommodations, please contact eventsbyemilymn@comcast.net prior to the event.

By registering for the RAM/SWANA Conference, you consent to be photographed, filmed and/or recorded, and such photography, video and/or recording may be used for reporting, promotion and advertising purposes now and in future development. You are not eligible for any form of compensation including but not limited to commissions, royalties, or product discounts.