AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, has opened registration for the 2025 AICC Annual Meeting, which will take place Monday, October 6 through Wednesday, October 8, at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk in Chicago, IL. This event invites leaders and professionals from across the independent packaging industry to gather for three days of learning, inspiration, and connections.
The AICC Annual Meeting will ignite attendees’ passion for progress by focusing on the latest trends, innovations, and business breakthroughs shaping the future of paper-based packaging. The event promises a compelling mix of education, plant tours, peer exchange, and thought-provoking dialogue that helps independent manufacturers run more resilient, effective, and forward-thinking businesses.
Attendees will hear from visionary keynote speakers and participate in expert-led panel discussions that challenge conventional thinking and encourage action. Featured throughout the program will be plant tours of industry-leading facilities, including Standfast Group, Blackhawk Corrugated, and The Royal Group. These behind-the-scenes tours provide real-world insights into successful operational strategies and innovations in practice.
This year’s educational sessions will delve into timely and critical topics. Sessions will address the latest innovations in digital print, policy developments, market trends, and the evolving outlook for the paperboard industry, including strategies for navigating mill closures, sales shifts, and capacity changes.
Participants will also benefit from practical opportunities to enhance the value of their AICC membership through workshops, such as “Maximize Your AICC Membership.” For those seeking deeper financial and operational insight, an optional add-on seminar titled “Unlock Financial and Operational Synergy” will offer tools to drive better integration and performance across business functions. Special events will also be held for AICC Emerging Leaders and the AICC Women in Packaging Group.
The 2025 meeting’s distinguished keynote speakers include John O’Leary, bestselling author and nationally recognized speaker, who will deliver an emotionally resonant presentation titled “On Fire – Ignite Your Story.“ Also taking the stage will be Sam Richter, a Hall of Fame speaker and bestselling author, presenting “Mindset Shift – Generative AI and Your Future.” Rounding out the lineup is Chad Pregracke, 2013 CNN Hero of the Year and founder of Living Lands & Waters. His session, “Turning Challenges into Change,” will tell the inspiring story of how one individual’s commitment to action transformed not only rivers, but also communities and lives.
Early registration is highly encouraged. The Super Early Bird rate deadline is Friday, August 22, 2025. Special pricing is also available for multiple registrations from a single company. Contact Cindy Huber, AICC Director of Conventions & Meetings, at [email protected]
