All things folding carton and rigid boxes will take center stage at The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC)’s Spring Outlook and Strategies Conference, March 25–27, 2026, at the Omni Louisville.
Speed networking. Brand-driven panel conversations. A forward-looking economic address. Sustainability at the forefront. A behind-the-scenes plant tour. Women in Packaging. Celebrations of safety excellence and pioneering legacy. A leadership deep dive. AI in manufacturing and the latest technology shaping plant operations. And celebration, Louisville style.
Designed for folding carton converters and industry suppliers, the three-day program brings together decision makers navigating economic volatility, workforce pressures, sustainability demands, and rapid technological change. From high-impact content to meaningful peer exchange, PPC’s Spring Conference delivers the insights, relationships, and practical strategies that move business forward.
As packaging decisions grow more complex and customer expectations rise, PPC’s Spring Meeting provides something increasingly essential: shared intelligence. “This is a period that demands sharper thinking and stronger collaboration,” said Emily Leonczyk, President, PPC. “PPC exists to bring our industry together to share credible insight, benchmark performance, and build leadership capacity. When converters and suppliers learn alongside one another, the entire industry becomes more resilient and more competitive.”
The 2026 program places leadership strategies at its core. Professional speaker and former CEO Dan Irvin will lead a multi-session experience that blends keynote insight with interactive workshops. His programming focuses on intentional leadership, adaptability, and clarity in high-pressure environments — equipping leaders at every level with practical frameworks they can apply immediately within their organizations.
Leadership development will continue beyond the main stage through the Women in Packaging session and leadership brunch, led by long-time facilitator Ann Bowers-Evangelista, which provides space for meaningful connection and peer exchange, while roundtable discussions will challenge attendees to articulate the value and future of fiber-based packaging with confidence and alignment.
In a research-driven presentation titled “The Touch Advantage: Untouched is Unsold,” Vicki Strull, Principal of Vicki Strull Creative Collective, will share findings from a Sappi-commissioned study conducted with Clemson University. The research demonstrates that physical engagement with premium packaging can increase purchase likelihood by up to 50%, reinforcing the role of folding cartons as both a protective barrier and a strategic sales driver.
To ground the conversation in real-world application, a brand-owner panel facilitated by Paul Schutes, President of the Recycled Paperboard Alliance, will explore how sustainability commitments and operational realities intersect. Featuring Courtney Chancefrom Nothing Bundt Cakes, Benjamin Dunlap from the US Mint, and Kate Stites from The Fold Design, the discussion will offer direct insight into how national brands evaluate packaging decisions, manage supplier partnerships, and balance environmental responsibility with performance and cost constraints. The conversation is designed to move beyond theory and into practical alignment, helping converters and suppliers better anticipate brand priorities and regulatory pressures.
Economic strategist Dr. Chris Kuehl, Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence, will provide a data-driven outlook on inflation, tariffs, workforce constraints, and broader macroeconomic indicators. His analysis will focus on scenario planning and actionable interpretation of local and national trends, giving leaders tools to plan rather than react.
The economic session will be complemented by forward-looking programming on artificial intelligence in packaging operations, led by Gene Marks, CPA, author, and nationally recognized technology columnist, who will explore how AI is reshaping manufacturing and packaging. His session will examine how AI can optimize internal workflows, support predictive maintenance, enhance logistics planning, and improve quality control. For folding carton manufacturers balancing cost pressures, workforce challenges, and rising customer expectations, the conversation will focus on purposeful tools rather than hype.
Beyond education, PPC’s Spring Meeting prioritizes intentional connection. A dedicated speed networking session will create structured opportunities for supplier and converter members to build meaningful business relationships within a professional, non-sales-driven environment. An offsite networking event will further strengthen peer connections, reinforcing PPC’s role as a trusted forum for relationship-building across the industry.
Attendees will also participate in a plant tour at Neff Packaging Solutions, offering a firsthand look at operational execution and innovation in practice.
During the conference, PPC will present its highest honor, the Robert T. Gair Award for Lifetime Achievement, to outgoing PPC President Ben Markens. Markens’ decades of service and leadership strengthened PPC’s benchmarking programs, advocacy presence, and collaborative culture, helping re-establish the association as the trusted authority for paperboard packaging converters and suppliers across North America.
In addition, PPC will recognize industry leaders in operational excellence through its expanded Chair’s Safety Awards Program. For more than a decade, the Chair’s Safety Award has recognized the PPC member facility that achieved the highest number of hours worked without an OSHA-recordable incident. This year, PPC has broadened the program to include multiple plant sizes, ensuring member companies of all sizes are recognized for extraordinary safety performance. The expansion reflects a simple truth: safety excellence is not defined by plant size, but by leadership discipline and cultural commitment.
“As our industry continues to evolve, clarity and collaboration are competitive advantages,” Leonczyk added. “Spring Meeting ensures our members leave not only informed, but aligned with better insight, stronger connections, and a clearer path forward.”
