Portable Sanitation Association International

ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION FEBRUARY 17, 2021 Page 3 The PSAI's 50th—The History of Conventions and Trade Shows…continued from page 1 A short time later, the PSAI was formed, and with it came its annual convention and trade show. PSAI Convention and Trade Show History On January 29, 1971, the Portable Sanitation Association (PSA) was born at an organizational meeting held in Washington, DC. The newly formed association, under the guidance of the first president—Irvin Juster of Duane Rentals in Schenectady, New York—wasted no time in establishing the inaugural "PSA Convention and Trade Show" that was also held in the nation's capital on April 30, 1971. While the attendance was small (probably less than 75 operators and suppliers combined), this new association joined the ever-expanding number of conventions and trade shows in the US. Since nationwide travel was now more easily accessible, the PSA wisely chose to move the location of the Convention to various geographical regions. They scheduled a second convention in 1971 that was held in New Orleans, Louisiana on November 18. The next "PSA Convention and Trade Shows" were as follows: • Las Vegas, Nevada—November 10, 1972 • Bal Harbour, Florida—November 15, 1973 • Houston, Texas—October 21, 1974 • San Diego, California—November 5, 1975 • Atlanta, Georgia—November 3, 1976 As the PSA grew, so did the need for more educational opportunities for operators and suppliers. In 1977, the six-year-old association expanded to a second convention and trade show and added a heavy emphasis on education. The name "Nuts and Bolts" was chosen to convey the concept of teaching, sharing, and learning all the mechanics of the portable restroom business. From route service to personnel to sales and customer relations, "best practices" were taught, learned, and adapted to improve the industry. The first PSA "Nuts and Bolts" was held on February 2, 1977 in Chicago, Illinois. To create a balance with the Convention being held in late fall, the "Nuts and Bolts" was held in later winter. This scheduling considered the slow and steady growth of the "Special Event Season" as portable restrooms were now becoming integral parts of outdoor events such as shows, concerts, weddings, parades, and other large gatherings of people. Fact: The United States population grew at an amazing rate from the end of World War II until 1964. The "Baby Boomers" were 76.4 million in number and made up almost 40 percent of the country's population. With such a large "up-and- coming" workforce, many new businesses were formed while other established companies grew and expanded. The need for industry knowledge, education, communication, and new product development was now essential. One of the early adopters of the concept of large trade show conventions to meet the needs of growing industries and businesses was the Consumer Technology Association. In 1968, their first trade show was held in Las Vegas with 17,500 attendees and over 100 exhibitors. This show has continued to grow and today, CTA's show is the largest in the US. Continued on page 4 Fact: Although the "PSAI Certification Program" was not established until 1992, many of the basics and standards were developed and evolved from these early "Nuts and Bolts" Conferences.

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