The 2016 TLMI Annual Meeting is taking place this week (October 16-19) at The Breakers, the historic hotel and resort in Palm Beach, FL, USA.  The theme of the meeting is “Making an Impact – be the company your customers and employees value the most.”

Liz Patterson, of Evonik Corporation, is the chair of the Annual Meeting, and speaking to the theme of the event, said, “As a leader you need to engage, build purpose and continuously make a positive impact to drive your company into the future. Highly engaged employees are 26% more productive and their companies earn 13% greater returns.”

TLMI chairman Dan Muenzer, in kicking off the proceedings, pointed out that attendance at this year’s Annual Meeting is an all-time high, and TLMI membership is nearly at an all-time high. There are several new members present at the meeting – 22 new companies and 32 individuals.

The event’s keynote speaker on Monday, October 17, was Eric Boles, who gave a presentation titled “Leading Change in the New Reality” that spoke to the theme of the meeting. Boles is the president of The Game Changers, Inc. He’s also a former professional football player, having played wide receiver for both the New York Jets and Green Bay Packers in the NFL. Through a combination of coaching, consulting and training, Boles helps organizations collapse time, achieve goals quickly and function within their purpose and values. The results organizations’ experience are real and powerful, and among his clients are Dunkin’ Brands, Aviva, Starbucks, Alaska Airlines, New Season Markets and others, who have taken leaps toward reaching their goals with company-wide support and enthusiasm.

Passionate and energetic, Boles – with his mantra of “Moving to Great” – implored TLMI members to invest in all they’ve learned, and emphasized the value in realizing one’s potential. “My ultimate goal,” Boles said, “is that something I say will be impactful to other areas of your lives apart from business.”

Boles challenged attendees to ask themselves, “How well are you maximizing what’s already in your hand – what you are already working with?” Using his football background and expertise, he pointed out the New England Patriots as a prime example of an organization that makes the most of all its assets. While Boles despises the Patriots, he respects and admires how they maximize the talents of every single player on the roster, which leads to winning seasons year after year.

He stressed looking forward and not relying on past successes. “Everything you have already done is no longer your potential,” Boles said, adding, “Yesterdays touchdowns do not win tomorrow’s games.”

Noting the rapid rate of change in today’s business environment, Boles said, “It doesn’t matter how long you have been around – the customers have shifted. But every problem that shows up is an opportunity for your potential to be released. More than anything else, we need people in our companies who are resilient.”

Boles added that the biggest challenge preventing us from reaching our potential is allowing ourselves to settle for only being good and not great. “We are influenced by the scoreboard,” he said. “But your job as leader is to make the future as clear as your people see the present.”

What can get in our way, Boles concluded, is the thought that we are okay the way we are, fear of the unknown, fear of failure, and fear of rejection.

A New Strategic Plan
Tuesday’s proceedings began with TLMI chairman-elect Craig Moreland, of Coast Label Company, revealing details behind the association’s new strategic plan, spearheaded by association president Mark Tibbetts.

TLMI’s goals and objectives – to be implemented and accomplished over the course of 3-5 years – focus on improvements in Communication Tools, Sustainability, External Affairs, Workforce Recruitment and Finances.

With regard to communication tools, Moreland said a revamped and improved website is in the works, as well as increasing use of social media and the development of a TLMI app for mobile devices.

TLMI’s sustainability goals hone in on reducing the volume of both matrix and liner waste. Moreland said the association’s objectives include 100% participation by rollstock manufacturers in supporting the solution, as well as increased membership commitment to achieve these goals.

According to Tibbetts, “Two key aspects of the Strategic Plan are increased communication and a sound financial future, and in 2017 these will be key priorities. We’ll be making significant investments in information technology next year with the objective of improving TLMI’s ability to communicate with internal and external audiences. These investments will also set the stage for improved member value in the years to come.”

Future forecast: US manufacturing remains strong
Alan Beaulieu, economist and president of ITR Economics and a TLMI meeting favorite, took the stage to reveal his latest forecasts – and his outlook was largely positive and favorable to the US position within the global economy.

Appealing to his audience, he started off by stating that the US in 2017 will see increased economic strength, thus resulting in more products and the need for more labels.

Noting that the US has significant economic challenges relating to healthcare and the national debt, Beaulieu was largely optimistic. He said, “There’s lots of good news – consumers are in great shape, banks are lending, interest rates are favorable, employment is rising as are wages, retail sales are at a record high, and non-residential construction is improving.”

Manufacturing is on the ascent, he stressed. “People who say we in the US don’t make anything are just wrong,” Beaulieu said, “Today, China is the most competitive global manufacturing country, but the US is right behind at #2. And by 2020, the US will be the #1 manufacturing economy.”

According to Beaulieu, manufacturing is the fourth largest employer in the US, and it is also at a 15-year high. The sector, he said, will be sustained into the future by the often maligned demographic – the Millennials. Beaulieu believes this group – which has strength in numbers – is of paramount importance when it comes to the health of the US economy.

“Millenials will change the world,” he said. “They are our secret weapon. Energy, manufacturing, Millenials – these are all positive forces for the US. As a business owner, you need to do everything you can to attract and keep Millenials.”

Anne Johnson, principal and VP at Resource Recycling Systems (RSS), closed out the speaker lineup with a discussion on sustainability trends and “What you need to know to future-proof your business.” (More on her presentation later.)

In addition to the educational program, the 2016 TLMI Annual Meeting also features extensive networking and recreational activities, such as a supplier tabletop reception, a golf tournament, a tennis tournament, a bike tour and catamaran cruise. The event concludes Tuesday evening with the annual TLMI Awards Dinner where the winners of the 2016 TLMI Label Awards will be revealed.