Reflections

August 30, 2024

We’re three-quarters of the way through the year. For context, as I write this, the Stanley Cup final has just been decided—without my New York Rangers—and as you read this, the NFL season is underway.

A good time to share random and heartfelt thoughts as AICC starts fiscal year 2025 and we hit the halfway mark of AICC’s Golden Anniversary year.

What a celebration of 50 years of AICC in April in Palm Desert, California! The recognition continues with nostalgia pieces online and in BoxScore throughout the remainder of the year. You can watch the 50-year video on AICC’s YouTube channel, thanks to sponsors BHS, Domino, and WestRock. Each AICC member will receive a commemorative book about your Association’s 50 years later this year, thanks to sponsors BCM Inks, Domino, and WestRock. We cannot say this enough: Thank you to all AICC members. During 50 years of change, your incredible generosity and openness to your fellow members have been a constant.

After 27 episodes of the Breaking Down Boxes podcast over 2½ years, Gene Marino and Joe Morelli have hung up their microphones. Released in July, the 28th episode, with just the two of them, was titled “One Door Closes.” We all know what follows this phrase. We are grateful to Gene and Joe, who conceived the idea of the podcast and made it a much-anticipated monthly event. AICC will continue to produce Breaking Down Boxes going forward, with new hosts because the stories Gene and Joe have brought us in the conversations with their guests have us craving more.

Inflation seems to be easing, and box demand finally seems to be rising. Members have become more optimistic as the months have gone past. AICC members have always been tenaciously adaptable to macroeconomic conditions, specific industry conditions, and the whims of the marketplace. Agility is the calling card of the independent and a key component of the “Independent Advantage” theme of outgoing AICC Chairman Matt Davis.

There will be an election on November 5, 2024, that will be extremely close at the presidential and congressional levels based on today’s polling. Regardless of the outcomes, AICC will continue to advocate for its members’ interests through our partners on such diverse topics as safety, labor, extended producer responsibility, taxes, and regulation. AICC will continue to inform members on emerging trends and opportunities such as artificial intelligence.

Finally, after more than 40 years, Steve Young is no longer earning a paycheck from AICC. As you may know, Steve “stepped back” as AICC president in July 2019 to become AICC’s ambassador-at-large, where he did many good things. Steve just retired from AICC effective June 30, 2024. I am fortunate to have worked with and for Steve, to have learned from him, and, most importantly, to count him as a friend for more than 25 years.

Steve’s impression on this Association, and this writer, will be forever felt.