The Flexible Packaging Association’s 2017 Fall Executive Conference will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago, IL, USA. This single-day conference will focus on industry-specific topics including an FPA Flexible Packaging Advocacy Program Update; a Polyolefin Market Update; Flexible Packaging Market Growth Opportunities; an Update on the ITC’s Investigation of Chinese Aluminum Foil Imports; and an Introduction to the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s “How2Recycle” Program.

The Conference agenda also features Ben Saunders, a world record-breaking polar explorer and repeat TED speaker; Peter Ricchiuti, a Wall Street investment visionary; and Matt Tenney, a social entrepreneur and author.

Andy Hackman, from Serlin Haley LLP, will update conference attendees on the FPA State Advocacy Program initiative to help members deal with issues affecting the industry. Nick Vafiadis, of IHS Chemical, will provide a “Polyolefins Market Update” and discuss what is driving the cost and availability of polyolefin resins. Adam Gendell, from the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, will provide an “Introduction to the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s ‘How2Recycle’ Program,” which helps to inform the public on how to recycle accurately and where to go to find information specific to their municipality.

Conference attendees will also hear from Saunders. As the Fall Conference luncheon speaker, he will discuss “Achieving the Impossible” and speak to why he believes “impossible is just someone’s opinion.” Taking audiences with him on his treks across the North and South Poles, he shares the keys to beating the odds and staying motivated through challenges, risks and setbacks. Stating, “No one else is an authority on your potential,” he unravels the mysterious roots of perseverance and shares insights about the traits we all possess that can allow us to tap into our deepest store of tenacity.

FPA would like to thank Flint Group and Sun Chemical Corporation for sponsoring Saunders’ presentation during the Fall Executive Conference Luncheon.

Ricchiuti will share valuable tips with attendees on what to look for while stock hunting. He elaborates on the criteria and methodology he uses in his own investment research program, which is driven by more than 130 university business students who search for investment opportunities among undervalued stocks. Ricchiuti teaches at Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business, where his insight and humor have twice made him the school’s top professor. He has been featured on CNN and CNBC, as well as in The New York Times, BARRON’S, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. Peter also hosts a popular weekly business show on National Public Radio in New Orleans called “Out to Lunch.”

FPA would like to thank Bobst North America Inc., INX International Ink Co., Nordmeccanica, NA, and NOVA Chemicals, Inc. for sponsoring his appearance at the Conference.

Tenney will discuss “Serve to Be Great: Leadership Lessons from a Prison, a Monastery, and a Boardroom.” He is an international keynote speaker, trainer, and a consultant with the Perth Leadership Institute, whose clients include numerous Fortune 500 companies. Tenney works with companies, associations, universities, and non-profits to develop highly effective leadership skills, and achieve lasting success by focusing on serving and inspiring greatness in the people around them. F

PA would also like to thank Hosokawa Alpine American and Siegwerk USA Co. for sponsoring his presentation.

Special thanks are given to FPA members including Bema Incorporated, Berry Global, Energy Sciences, Inc., and Wikoff Color Corporation for their support of the FPA 2017 Fall Executive Conference Networking Events. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for both speakers and networking events. Sponsorships for the conference are only available for FPA members.