Corrugated and the CFP

March 12, 2026

I watched the recently concluded College Football Playoff (CFP) with a great deal of interest. Not because I had a horse in the race (I went to a basketball school), but because it made me think about the similarities between AICC membership and the CFP. My mind wanders in that way, an occupational hazard. While AICC and the CFP operate in very different domains, paper-based packaging manufacturing versus collegiate athletics, they share several meaningful structural and philosophical similarities.

1. Membership as a Platform for Opportunity

Both worlds function as organized systems that create access. AICC provides member companies and their employees with structured access to education, leadership development, and peer networks. Similarly, CFP participation provides schools and athletes access to national exposure, competitive stages, and monetization opportunities. In both cases, value is unlocked only through active engagement in the system.

2. Emphasis on Performance and Excellence

Success in both environments is performance-driven. AICC members that invest in training, safety, innovation, and leadership tend to see stronger operational outcomes and industry recognition. In college football, performance determines CFP qualification, media exposure, and downstream name, image, and likeness (NIL) value. High performers, whether companies or athletes, are rewarded with greater visibility and financial upside.

3. Education and Development as Core Benefits

At their core, both systems emphasize development. AICC focuses on professional and technical education to grow talent pipelines and future leaders. We can argue if some players are getting an education, but the CFP (and NIL) indirectly promote development by encouraging athletes to build skills beyond the field—such as branding, financial literacy, and media engagement—while also preparing them for professional careers, athletic or otherwise.

4. Networking and Relationship Capital

Relationships matter in both worlds. AICC’s meetings, advisory groups, and peer connections mirror how the CFP relies on networks of conferences, sponsors, boosters, and media partners. Success is amplified by who you know, collaborate with, and learn from.

5. Shared Value Through Collective Structure

Finally, both models demonstrate that collective organization creates individual benefit. AICC strengthens the packaging industry as a whole, which elevates each member. The CFP increases revenue that flows to schools and, increasingly, athletes. Individual success is tied to the strength of the overall system.

In short, while one world builds boxes and the other builds championships, both rely on structured membership, performance, development, and shared value to deliver meaningful benefits.

Make sure your team is getting the most from its member benefits, because AICC is a No. 1 seed every season!