ICC World Toilet Summit Kickoff Integrates U.S. and Global Experts

Philadelphia, PA – The International Code Council World Toilet Summit 2010 (WTS) officially kicked off on October 31 with a welcoming reception at the National Constitution Center, hosting a diverse group of attendees including industry professionals representing business and volunteer organizations alike from five continents. The Summit is being held in conjunction with the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) Annual Conference. Issues at the top of the list for WTS attendees range from the global sanitation crisis to innovative toilet design, codes and provisions to plumbing engineering solutions.

As the host of the first ever WTS in the United States, ASPE has provided an opportunity for the international delegates and ASPE’s core member base of plumbing engineers and other construction industry-related professionals to meet and plan for future business collaborations.

“We are proud to be hosting the ICC World Toilet Summit 2010,” said Stanley Wolfson, ASPE’s Executive Director. “Offering our six excellent ASPE technical tracks in addition to the ICC and WTO tracks to our collective attendees has dramatically enhanced the content, networking and business-building value of the ASPE convention overall.”

Since the theme of this year’s WTS is “2.6 Billion Sanitation Business Opportunities,” the importance of engaging U.S. business with international efforts is paramount. This engagement constitutes the first step to advancing solutions for the global sanitation crisis that affects 40% of the world’s population.

A number of key stakeholders laid the foundation for progress in addressing the sanitation crises at the opening event. Carol McCreary with PHLUSH (Public Hygiene Lets Us Stay Human), a Portland, Oregon group that encourages grassroots advocacy for toilet availability, discussed a breadth of sanitation-related topics ranging from the need for more compostable toilets in public parks to the importance of making people feel comfortable about the whole concept of sanitation and discussing it freely.

Past ASPE Atlanta Chapter President Patrick McClellan said he was pleased that ASPE is hosting the ICC World Toilet Summit since it dramatically expands the number and variety of sessions to choose from. He added that he planned on attending as many sessions offered by both conferences, admitting that it will be hard to choose with such a great variety and so many interesting topics.

Especially significant to the American hosts was the Constitution Center’s multimedia museum that presents the key role Philadelphia played in the early development of the United States and the structure of its governmental system.

Day two of the ICC World Toilet Summit continued on Monday, November 1 with an International Breakfast featuring a full schedule of speakers, followed by an ASPE opening session and the exposition, with another networking gathering in the evening.

The American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) was founded in 1964 as an organization dedicated to the advancement of the plumbing engineering profession. The Society disseminates technical data and information, sponsors activities that facilitate interaction with fellow professionals, and, through research and education, expands the base of knowledge of the plumbing engineering industry. Its 7,000 members on five continents represent an extensive network of experienced engineers, designers, contractors, code officials, manufacturers, and manufacturer representatives interested in advanced their careers, their profession, and the industry. Contact ASPE for additional information at 847-296-0002 or visit www.aspe.org.

The International Code Council (ICC) publishes building safety, fire prevention and energy efficiency codes that are used in the construction of residential and commercial buildings. Most U.S. cities, counties and states choose the I-Codes based on their outstanding quality. The ICC’s Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas (PMG) Group is devoted exclusively to providing PMG products and support to jurisdictions and construction industry professionals across the country and around the globe, with one or more PMG codes adopted in all 50 states. The more than 200 superior products and related services were developed specifically by and for plumbing and mechanical professionals. Contact the PMG Group for additional information at 1-888-ICC-SAFE, x4PMG or visit www.iccsafe.org.

The World Toilet Organization (WTO) is a global non-profit organization committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide. WTO is also one of the few organizations to focus on toilets instead of water, which receives more attention and resources under the common subject of sanitation. Founded in 2001 with 15 members, it now has 235 member organizations in 58 countries, all of which are working towards eliminating the toilet taboo and delivering sustainable sanitation.WTO was created as a global network and service platform wherein all toilet and sanitation organizations can learn from one another and leverage on media and global support that, in turn, can influence governments to promote sound sanitation and public health policies. To learn about all of the initiatives with which the WTO is engaged, visit www.worldtoilet.org.