Springfield, Mass. – The Paperboard Packaging Council’s (PPC) 2019 Spring Outlook and Strategies Conference will take place April 3-5 on Coronado Island, California. With the beautiful San Diego coastline as a backdrop, CEOs and executives from North American paperboard packaging manufacturing companies will convene to network and learn about crucial issues like hiring challenges, Proposition 65 compliance, and the decelerating economy.

The manufacturing sector has struggled to find skilled workers for some time. Yet another challenge can crop up after hiring a promising candidate: despite having the required skills, the person just can’t get the job done. During the PPC meeting, Barry Deutsch, executive recruiter for IMPACT Hiring Solutions, will hold a special workshop that will help attendees hire the right people.

According to Deutsch, the number one reason why hiring decisions backfire is that companies do not define success. Traditional job descriptions list the skills and aptitudes that candidates should have, but they almost never describe specific outcomes or the ways in which the candidate must use their skills to achieve success in the specific position.

During a hands-on session, Deutsch will share his validated and field-tested method for defining success in job roles. Converters in attendance will leave with a variety of new tools for attracting, assessing, and retaining top talent.

Other sessions will help attendees to make decisions in other important business areas. Lisa Fine, technical director at Ink Systems, Inc., will discuss recent modifications to California’s Proposition 65 that have caused confusion among printers and print buyers. She’ll address the updates, including whether they limit ink choices for printing or require converters to add special labelling to packaging. Later, Alan Beulieu, economist with ITR Economics, will address the “decelerating world.” With the world economy beginning to slow down, Alan will show attendees how to recognize shifts, understand their significance, and set realistic expectations for the remainder of 2019 and 2020.

Other speakers include Jay Pullins, facilitator and coach with Academy Leadership, LLC, who will share leadership lessons from his diverse background as a military officer, appointed public official, and pastor of Alaska's largest church; Tara Goodwin, founder and principal of Crisis Interception, LLC, who will offer tips for identifying and managing crisis situations; and Brian Wagner of Packaging & Technology Integrated Solutions, LLC, who will offer an update on current sustainability considerations for the packaging industry.

“Today’s paperboard packaging manufacturing operation is both diverse and complex,” said Ben Markens, PPC president. “We’ve made sure our meeting addresses many of the topics that affect converters every day. Of course, we’ve also earmarked plenty of time for networking and peer-to-peer learning.”

The three-day conference features a supplier showcase breakfast where converters will receive updates on technology and substrates from industry experts. Attendees can also attend a number of special interest committee meetings on sustainability, marketing, rigid boxes, industry data, and women’s leadership.

Additionally, attendees will enjoy a cruise of the San Diego Bay and other social and networking activities.

For more information, visit paperbox.org/spring. 

PPC president Ben Markens announces the 2019 Spring Conference a year ago during the association’s 2018 Spring event in Baltimore, Maryland.