AICC 2024 Spring Meeting Celebrates 50 Years of Success
The AICC 2024 Spring Meeting & 50th Anniversary Celebration concluded with resounding success, marking a historic milestone for AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Held in the scenic backdrop of Palm Desert, California, the event brought together 850 industry leaders, emerging talent, and esteemed guests for a memorable occasion of learning, networking, and celebration.
The extravaganza featured a myriad of sessions, speakers, and activities, offering attendees invaluable insights into industry trends, essential information, and networking opportunities. Highlights of the event included the commemoration of AICC's 50th Anniversary, the 10th Annual Independents' Cup Charity Golf Tournament, and the 10th Anniversary of the Emerging Leader Program, marking a decade of growth and innovation.
The enthusiasm of attendees was palpable throughout the event. "We are thrilled the AICC 2024 Spring Meeting & 50th Anniversary Celebration was such a high note this year," said Matt Davis, President of Packaging Express and Chairman of AICC. "This event provided a platform for connecting with new friends and old, having meaningful discussions, and it also allowed us to honor the legacy of AICC while looking forward to a future of continued growth and success."
From the moment attendees entered the event space, they were steeped in AICC history. They enjoyed a Walk of Fame, with past US board chairs remembered on stars on the floor, an eight-foot timeline of AICC's history, and signs honoring the accomplishments of Hall of Fame recipients, AICC Canada and Mexico past board chairs, safe shop winners, and many others who have been part of AICC's history.
The Meeting kicked off with the Sales Managers Forum, a dynamic training session designed exclusively for sales managers in the corrugated manufacturing industry. Led by industry experts John Ballentine, University of Arkansas, and Trent Halasek, Akers Packaging Service Group, the forum delved deep into the financial implications of sales decisions, equipping attendees with valuable skills to drive value-based choices.
The event featured insightful sessions on hot industry topics, including Sarah Meiburg, Paper & Packaging Board, sharing tools and insights on selling sustainability, and Derek Mahlburg, RISI, offering an economic outlook and emerging trends, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the industry today.
Tim Connell, AG Stacker, moderated a panel with AICC Experts, Ralph Young, AICC Corrugated Technical Advisor, and Doug Friel, JKJ, Risk Management Advisor, along with Jeff Putt, Deline Box, AICC AI & Technology Committee Chair. They answered members' technical questions and offered resources to help boxmakers be more efficient and productive.
Jerry Frisch, Wasatch Container, gave a heartwarming and entertaining presentation about how his company began and grew while offering advice to the next generation of leaders.
Moderators Joe Morelli, Huston Patterson, and Lewisburg Printing Co. & Jeff Pallini, Fosber America Inc. lead an industry panel with Chad Wagner, Peachtree Packaging, Larry and Richard Grossbard, President Container, and Bill, Jim & Andrew Akers, Akers Packaging. The panelists discussed family dynamics, industry challenges, and how they envision the future.
Ron Sasine, Hudson Windsor, took a deep dive into consumer purchasing behavior, changes in distribution, and the differences between what retailers say they need and what the industry thinks they need.
Keynote speaker Pippa Malmgren, Former Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, Authority on Geopolitical, Economic, and Technological Trends, took attendees into the future with her presentation. She talked attendees through the turbulence she sees coming and the opportunities on the horizon while she discussed a different form of globalization, the new space race, and the speed of new technology.
Henry Winkler, AKA the Fonz, Emmy Award-Winning Actor, Author, Director, and Producer, closed the Meeting with the enthralling story of his youth, how he got into acting, and how discovering his dyslexia later in life put many of his experiences into a new context. He was called dumb by his parents, who did not support his dream of acting, but he never let their words stop him; they only motivated him to be and do more. He shared emotional stories with a humorous twist to captivate the audience before taking questions and signing his latest book for attendees.
New members and first-time attendees were treated to a special networking reception with their AICC Ambassadors, who helped them navigate their first Meeting and make new connections.
The celebration's highlight was the 50th Anniversary Dinner, where attendees dressed in their finest. The room was beautifully decorated with centerpieces created by Bay Cities, glowing trees, and stars covering the room. Many attendees took advantage of a 360 photo booth to memorialize the evening. They also watched a video tribute to AICC's history and future. Bringing in the golden age of Palm Springs for AICC's anniversary, attendees watched a Rat Pack tribute show. They then danced the night away to lively big band music, providing the perfect finale to a memorable evening.
AICC thanks BHS, WestRock, and Domino for their support in creating the 50th anniversary video shared during the celebration.
“Words cannot express how grateful I am to past AICC members for 50 years of memories,” said AICC President Mike D’Angelo, “and to current members who made the celebration in Palm Desert a new and fitting memory. AICC is clearly ready to support its members for the next 50 years.”
During the Meeting, AICC also celebrated the milestones of its members, recognizing the following companies for the years of continuous operation:
- 110 years: Utah PaperBox
- 100 years: Bradford Company and Standard Printing Company
- 70 years: Global Boxmachine
- 65 years: Lone Star Container
- 60 years: Corrugated Supplies Company
- 50 years: Automated Conveyor Systems
- 40 years: Packaging-Atlanta Corp. and Alliance Machine Systems
AICC is grateful to the sponsors who helped make the Meeting a success:
Premier 50th:
- Bradford Company
- Flint Group
- Haire
Premier Platinum - Domtar Packaging
Premier Gold - eProductivity Software
Premier Silver - AG Stacker
Premier Bronze - Sun Automation
50th Anniversary Dinner
- AG Stacker
- Bobst
- JB Machinery
- Pamarco
- Quest7
50th Late Night Bash
- AG Stacker
- Pacificolor
- Gopfert
Additional Meeting sponsors include:
- Oklahoma Interpak
- HP
- Kao Collins
- M. Martin Company
- Alliance Machine Systems
- Bay Cities
- Stafford Corrugated Products
- Kolbus America
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
- Global Boxmachine
- EFI
- Arco Murray
- Huston Patterson
- Lewisburg Printing Co.
- Dusobox
- Amtech
Throughout the event, attendees participated in various activities, including the Independents' Cup Charity Golf Tournament, where 252 golfers tested their skills on championship courses against the backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mountains. The Tournament not only provided a platform for friendly competition but also supported a charitable cause. The Tournament raised $15,000 for the Foundation for Packaging Education.
"We are thrilled that The Foundation for Packaging Education was the beneficiary of the Independents' Cup Charity Golf Tournament. The Tournament not only raises funds to benefit our educational programming but also showcases the camaraderie within our industry," said Gene Marino, President of Akers Packaging Service Group and Foundation for Packaging Education Board Chair.
Winners of the tournament were:
First Place: Palm Course
Bobby Atkinson, GAPCO | Gulf Atlantic Packaging
Cody Brant, A.G. Stacker
Colin Moynihan, Columbia Container
Tom Murphy, Reliable Container
First Place: Valley Course
William Berg, Menasha Packaging
Brant Dixon, AG Stacker
Brian Kentopp, Topp Corrugated Products
Bryan Rabb, Rabb Corrugated
Closest to the Pin Winners
Valley Course
Hole #6 – Dan Walters, Canusa Paper & Packaging
Hole #8 – Ed Davis, Peachtree Packaging
Hole #12 – Johnny Kukla, MHI
Hole #15 – Kerry Remley, Dedicated Paperboard
Palm Course
Hole #3 – Elliot Palmeri, Jamestown Container
Hole #8 – Gregor Shanks, Fruit Growers
Hole #12 – Rick Eastwood, The Central Group
Hole #17 – Sean Delahanty, Corrugated Supplies Co.
Golf sponsors include:
Major Sponsor:
- Hood Container
Caddies
- Schwarz Partners
Gift Cards
- Bobst
Additional golf sponsors include:
- BHS
- Equipment Finance Corp.
- EMBA
- Bradford Company
- Fosber
- BCM Inks
- Bobst
- Cuir
- Litho Press
- Flint Group
- Crossroads Paper
- Isowa America
- EAM MOSCA
- Engineered Recycling Systems
- Huston Patterson
- Lewisburg Printing Co.
- AG Stacker
- Akers Packaging Service Group
- Alliance Machine Systems
- American Corrugated Machine
- Atlantic Packaging Products
- BW Papersystems
- Clean Print USA
- Dicar
- EAM Mosca
- Isowa America
- Jamestown Container Companies
- M&T Capital Leasing
- McLean Packaging
- Pacificolor
- Pamarco
- Philipp Lithographing
- Quantum Ink
- Royal Containers Ltd.
- Standard Printing Co.
- Standfast Group
- Two10 Technologies
- Valco Melton
- Wasatch Container
"As we reflect on the success of the AICC 2024 Spring Meeting & 50th Anniversary Celebration, we are grateful for the continued support and participation of our members, sponsors, and industry partners. This event served as a powerful reminder of the significant influence AICC has had on our industry. We will be talking about our time together in Palm Desert for the next 50 years," said Terri-Lynn Levesque of Royal Containers and Chair of the AICC Convention Content Committee. "We look forward to building on this momentum and shaping the future of the independent packaging industry together."
AICC members will come together again for the AI Xperience, May 14-16, in Chicago, IL and SuperCorrExpo, September 8-12, in Orlando, FL.
The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with Packaging Impressions. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of the staff of Packaging Impressions.
