Strategic Alignment Brought to AICC Members at Spring Meeting

The AICC Spring Meeting, April 24-26, in Miami, FL, welcomed nearly 800 attendees for three days of general sessions, plant tours, workshops, and networking.

During the Meeting, speakers addressed the state of the industry, what's next, and strategies to increase profitability. Additionally, 240 members enjoyed the 9th Annual Independents' Cup Golf Tournament.

AICC President Mike D'Angelo said of the Meeting, "We thank AICC members for the tremendous turnout at the Spring Meeting. Dynamic members, a strong program of speakers, tours, education, networking, and fun, keep moving Independents, AICC events, and this great industry forward."

The Meeting began with tours of SupplyOne and Schwarz Partners Packaging, followed by the Focus Session, which offered an industry and economic outlook from Anna Wong, Chief US Economist, Bloomberg LP, EPR, and Federal Trade Commission update with Terry Webber, VP Industry Affairs, AF&PA, and a new look at recycling from Suzanne Fisher, CPP, Fisher Packaging.

A panel of box and packaging manufacturers, facilitated by Mike Schaefer, Tavens Packaging, included Howard Bertram, Complete Design & Packaging, Brett Kirkpatrick, The Boxmaker, Joseph M. Palmeri, Jamestown Container, and Ben Urquhart, NEWW Packaging & Display. Panelists discussed current conditions, the economy, training employees, what keeps them up at night, and more.

Throughout the Meeting, attendees heard keynote presentations about marketing sustainability from Susannah Enkema, VP, Research & Insights, The Shelton Group, and how to Build for Tomorrow, from Jason Feifer, Editor in Chief, Entrepreneur Magazine. The closing keynote speaker, Sheryl Connelly, Leading Futurist & Global Consumer Trends Expert, Ford Motor Company, gave a fresh view of today's world and how to prepare for and incorporate change into your company.

Packed workshops gave attendees insight into attracting employees and the impact of social media on the industry, with Jake Hall, The Manufacturing Millennial, succession planning with Daniel Prisciotta, CFP, CPA/PFS, ChFC, Certified Business Exit Consultant, Managing Partner, Equity Strategies Group, and a panel discussion with Greg Tucker, Bay Cities, Kim Nelson, Royal Containers, Larry Grossbard, President Container, and Jerry Frisch, Wasatch Container discussing the future of their companies.
Over two days, supplier innovations were shared with a standing-room-only audience. Presenting companies included:

During the Meeting, John Bird, Chairman and CEO of JB Machinery, an industry leader, was inducted into the AICC Hall of Fame for his contributions to the industry.

AICC recognized AICC member milestones, with Deline Box & Display and Viking Packaging each celebrating 50 years of continuous, independent, operation.

The following locations were also awarded the Independent Safe Shop Award for their safety record this past year:

Before the Meeting, sales professionals participated in a 2-day Sales Management Forum in which Bestselling Author Ed Wallace and Millennial Sales Strategist Omar Abdullah helped attendees develop targeted conversations that lead to revenue, deliver sales results aligned with a buyer-centric approach, and learn to use application exercises to create fluency within sales teams.

Photos from the Meeting can be found on AICC's Facebook page and videos of the general sessions will be available to meeting attendees on AICC NOW.

AICC is grateful for the support of our many Meeting sponsors, which include:

Upcoming National Meetings include:

AICC 2023 Annual Meeting
September 18-20, 2023 | Louisville, Kentucky

AICC 2024 Spring Meeting & 50th Anniversary Celebration
April 8-10, 2024 | Palm Desert, California

AICC/TAPPI 2024 SuperCorrExpo
September 9-12, 2024 | Orlando, Florida

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.