Ben Markens (featured left), President of PPC, poses with Al Horn and Kelly Fellner of Pusterla, U.S., along with Steve Scherger (featured far right), PPC Chair and EVP of Graphic Packaging International. Pusterla, U.S. received both Package of the Year and the Judges’ Award for Wow Factor at PPC’s 2024 North American Paperboard Packaging Competition.

Springfield, MA—The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) hosted its highly anticipated Fall Meeting & Leadership Conference in Atlanta from September 30 to October 2, 2024. Honoring PPC’s historic 95th anniversary, the sold-out event gathered industry leaders, designers, converters, and manufacturers for a conference focused on the critical role paperboard packaging plays in driving sustainability, innovation, and workforce development.

Steve Scherger, PPC’s newly appointed Board Chair and Executive Vice President of Graphic Packaging International, opened the conference with a powerful message. Scherger emphasized the industry’s responsibility in leading the global push toward sustainability through innovation. “We have the right to win,” Scherger declared, encouraging attendees to proactively address challenges and build a future based on excellence and teamwork. His remarks set the tone for a dynamic conference that focused on how the paperboard packaging industry is uniquely positioned to thrive in the circular economy.

Scherger’s message was clear: success lies in engaging the next generation, fostering a culture of innovation, and remaining agile in response to the ever-changing landscape. He called on all industry players to be fully engaged, stating, “Our right to win will be a full-contact sport—we’ll do it together.”

Vicki Strull, a brand strategist and packaging design expert, opened the event with a presentation on the critical importance of emotional connections through packaging. Strull highlighted how packaging not only engages visually but also through touch, which activates psychological ownership, making consumers more likely to invest in products. She emphasized that even small embellishments on packaging can elevate the customer experience and drive greater return on investment.

A State of the Industry panel, moderated by Scherger, focused on key issues, including sustainability and workforce retention and development. Panelists including Hilda Murray, PPC Vice Chair and Owner of TPC Printing & Packaging, Matt Sonderen, Principal of Sonderen Packaging, Laura Parlegreco, VP of Operations of Astro Box Corp., and Galen Killam, General Manager of Great Northern Corp., highlighted the industry’s need to attract and retain skilled talent, especially in technical roles. The panel discussed creative solutions such as PPC’s forthcoming educational platform, PPCU, and partnerships with local educational institutions to draw new talent into the industry.

The importance of employee engagement, training, and mentorship was underscored throughout, with panelists advocating for customized workforce training and development programs to meet evolving needs. The discussion was a call to action for the industry to invest in their people to remain competitive.

Key sessions on global and U.S. regulations provided insight into the evolving legislative landscape affecting packaging. Mike Turner, Managing Director of the European Carton Makers Association, delivered a comprehensive overview of European regulations, highlighting the EU’s ambitious goal for carbon neutrality by 2050. He stressed the need for the industry to design packaging for recyclability and to engage with policymakers to dispel misconceptions about fiber sourcing.
Abigail Sztein of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) echoed Turner’s call for advocacy, focusing on U.S. regulations. She discussed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws and their potential impact on businesses, urging industry leaders to stay informed and collaborate on a circular value chain for sustainable packaging.

Economist Jeff Rosensweig shared an optimistic economic forecast for the U.S. and global markets, noting that despite inflationary pressures, job creation and wage growth continue to signal resilience. He highlighted shifting supply chains and growing labor force participation as key trends shaping the future of packaging demand.

In a timely and engaging presentation, Dan Ahern, VP of Global Innovation and Design at Graphic Packaging International and Pat Shields, Design Director Americas, Consumer Packaging at Smurfit Westrock, explored the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on packaging design. While AI offers exciting possibilities for ideation and process optimization, both Ahern and Shields emphasized the continued need for human oversight and creativity. As AI evolves, designers who embrace the technology will lead the future of packaging design.

The next generation of packaging designers took the stage during the Student Design Challenge panel, featuring students from the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (PCAD), Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and California State Polytechnic University (CalPoly). The 2024 finalists presented their innovative solutions for creating sustainable paperboard packaging for a fresh produce product that is typically not packaged in paper-based packaging. Their designs, ranging from garlic packaging to potato packaging, embodied the fresh perspectives needed to push the industry forward.

Ron Sasine, Founder of Hudson Windsor, closed the conference with an exploration of cutting-edge trends in structural packaging design. Sasine lead a panel featuring designers from the 2024 North American Paperboard Packaging Competition’s top award-winning packages including Pusterla, U.S., TPC Printing & Packaging, Curtis Packaging, Autajon Packaging, Graphic Packaging International, and Smurfit Westrock. The panel discussed their award-winning designs and the innovative ways in which advancements in paperboard materials, geometry, and coatings are elevating both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of retail packaging.

"It was truly inspiring to see so many dedicated members, colleagues, and industry partners come together in Atlanta to advance our industry and commemorate PPC’s 95th anniversary. The event not only showcased the tremendous strides we’ve made as an industry, but it also solidified our commitment to shaping a more sustainable future,” said Emily Leonczyk, VP & Executive Director of PPC. “The energy, collaboration, and innovation demonstrated by our industry leaders, pioneers, and future talent left me with absolute confidence that we are not only prepared to meet the challenges ahead but will continue to lead the charge in driving the paperboard packaging industry to new heights."

“The turnout and engagement speak volumes about the commitment our members have to driving advancement in paperboard packaging,” added Ben Markens, President of PPC. “As we celebrate 95 years of growth, I’m confident that the passion and collaboration we’ve seen here will continue to propel our industry forward for many more years to come.”

PPC’s Fall Meeting emphasized that the paperboard packaging industry is at the forefront of sustainable innovation. From legislative updates and workforce challenges to design trends and AI integration, the conference provided insights to aid the development and growth of all attendees. As Scherger noted, this is an exciting time to be part of the industry, with ample opportunity to lead the way toward a more sustainable future.

PPC will host its next event this fall from November 12 - November 13 for its Folding Carton Bootcamp at PPC’s headquarters in Springfield, MA. For more information regarding PPC, please email [email protected].