A university education is required for all young business people today, and many have the advantage also of seat-of-the-pants training at the School of Hard Knocks. Whatever your background, if you have a leadership position at a label converting company and you’re under 45, you now have the opportunity to share what you know with your peers in the Young Leaders Organization (YLO), a group launched recently by the Tag & Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI).

The objective of the YLO is to exchange ideas, pursue learning and share strategies that will aid its members professionally. The group offers peer networking in a non-competitive atmosphere, with the goal of helping to shape the future of the industry, as well as the institute.

Alex Elezaj, vice president of sales and marketing at Whitlam Label, is chairman of the YLO. The group, he says, is planning events aimed at attracting new members and enhancing the knowledge and talents of its members.

“The Young Leaders Organization is a platform where the next generation of TLMI members can come together and share their unique perspectives, exchange ideas, and establish a network of peers in the industry,” Elezaj says. “The YLO is an important part of the future of TLMI as it looks to strengthen membership by delivering programs that meet the growth and development needs of younger associates.

“Personally,” he adds, “I am very excited to help lead this initiative. There is an incredible amount of talent and energy in this group, which already has more than 30 members. When I came into this industry two years ago, the TLMI was a great source of networking, information, and consulting for me. This new program will be a great addition to the numerous benefits of being a TLMI member. If you are under the age of 45, hold a leadership position, or have been identified as a high potential employee, I would highly suggest joining the YLO team!”

Among the events under consideration for the future are monthly conference call meetings, at which a new subject will be discussed at each, and possibly webinars.

The YLO will sponsor an educational session during Labelexpo Americas in Chicago next month. Titiled “Building The Future,” it is a presentation on finding and retaining talent, training, and leadership development. (Wednesday, September 15, 2-3 pm) Speakers include Elezaj, Brian Gale of ID Images, and Kevin Foos of ACPO. The moderator is Cheryl Caudill of Multi-Plastics.

At TLMI’s Annual Meeting, scheduled for mid-October in Boca Raton, FL, USA, the YLO will hold a committee meeting on October 18 from 8 to 9:30 am. On Wednesday, October 20, the organization will sponsor a presentation by Frank Gerace, chairman of TLMI and recently retired president of Multi-Color Corporation, titled “Building a Business Through Diversification.”

For more information, or to join the Young Leaders Organization, click here .