SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Paperboard Packaging Council recently announced the speaker lineup for its 2017 Spring Outlook and Strategies Conference, March 29-31 in Charlotte, N.C. The program will include:

Ron Sasine, principal of Hudson Windsor and former packaging executive with Walmart and MeadWestvaco (now WestRock), will discuss how folding carton converters can build from their strengths and assert their important role in the fiber cycle and the consumer goods value chain.
 
Shawn Rhodes, president of Shoshin Consulting and former Marine Corps war correspondent, will harness what he's learned from high-performing teams in some of the most challenging environments in order to show attendees how they can leverage change without sacrificing results.
 
Alan Beaulieu, noted economist and president of ITR Economics, will discuss how recent volatility in the U.S. and global economy could impact attendees' businesses, both positively and negatively. Among other topics, he will discuss the new administration in Washington, the economic health of the U.S. consumer, job growth and wages, interest rates, and current economic megatrends.
 
Carolyn Lee, senior director of tax policy at the National Association of Manufacturers, will provide an overview of regulatory, legislative, and tax issues impacting manufacturers under the new administration and congress.
 
Matt Sharp, chief digital officer of Advance 360, will discuss proven methods for using digital marketing to find targets and increase return on marketing investments.

Joan Sahlgren, director of public relations at the Paper and Packaging Board, will give a progress report on the national Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds ™ campaign, including the latest research and marketing results.
 
Paul Schutes, executive director of the Recycled Paperboard Alliance/Recycled Paperboard Technical Association, will update attendees on the recent official affiliation between the two organizations. He’ll also highlight current projects such as the development of a “compostability” certification for paperboard as well as a new “repulpability/recyclability” standard.
 
James Gordon, president of PPC member Winston Packaging, will share the history of Winston Packaging. The story begins in 1911 with AG Gordon, a traveling bookbinder who opened a small print shop in what is now Winston-Salem, NC. Four generations later, Winston Packaging is a thriving folding carton converter, serving the eastern U.S. in the food, health/beauty, photo finishing, and tobacco segments.

“Attendees come from far and wide to learn the latest industry trends and best practices at PPC’s biannual conferences,” said Ben Markens, PPC president. “I am very pleased with the breadth and quality of the material we’ll be presenting this spring in Charlotte.”
 
Spring Meeting will also include several special interest breakout sessions, a best practices workshop around employee personality assessments, the announcement of the top achievers in PPC’s plant safety data program, as well as a reception at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
 
For more information about Spring Meeting, visit paperbox.org/spring.