SuperCorrExpo Features Diverse Roster of Keynote Speakers
What do the president of an NFL team, a former packaging executive for one of the world’s largest retailers, the CEO of an enterprise that oversees 10 companies, and an award winning editorial cartoonist have in common?
The answer: TAPPI and AICC have announced these will be the keynote speakers at SuperCorrExpo, the quadrennial event for the corrugated industry taking place October 17 to 20 in Orlando, Fla.
To kick off the event, Jonathan Kraft, president of the New England Patriots, will take the podium. While at first glance it may appear that a professional football executive doesn’t have much to do with the corrugated industry, Kraft is also president of the Kraft Group, which according to the SuperCorrExpo website, possesses multiple holdings in the paper and packaging industry. Though Kraft is most visible to the public on Sundays when he’s watching the Patriots from the owner’s box, the website states he’s also actively involved in the daily activities of the Kraft Group’s packaging businesses.
From the gridiron to big box retail, Tuesday’s events begin with a keynote address from Ron Sasine. Sasine is a principal at Hudson Windsor, a retail packaging consultancy. Before he founded Hudson Windsor, Sasine served as senior director of packaging procurement for Walmart. According to the SuperCorrExpo website, Sasine was responsible for developing the design for Walmart’s in-store brands, including Great Value, Spring Valley, Equate Beauty and Parents’ Choice. The site also states that he was a former executive at packaging giant MeadWestvaco, which is now known as WestRock.
Converters in attendance will hear from one of their most accomplished and experienced peers to begin the day on Wednesday. Eduardo Posada, chairman and CEO of Grupo Gondi, will share his thoughts on the corrugated industry. Grupo Gondi oversees 10 companies in Mexico, which consists of more than 6,000 employees combined, according to its website. Posada should provide an international perspective on the corrugated market, as according its website, Grupo Gondi exports packaging to more than 159 countries.
The closing keynote will provide a bit of fun when Kevin (Kal) Kallaugher takes the stage to put a bow on SuperCorrExpo 2016. Kallaugher is an editorial cartoonist for the Economist and the Baltimore Sun, and according to the SuperCorrExpo website, has been published in several international publications and was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2015. The website states that audience members can expect a humorous presentation that hits on several current events and includes live drawings.
As SuperCorrExpo is held just once every four years, it is rare that the corrugated industry comes together in one place for four days of education and networking. It may be a diverse industry with varying needs, but with keynote speakers spanning so many aspects of the corrugated industry and beyond, there’s little doubt attendees will leave with inspiration to last until SuperCorrExpo 2020.
