August 24, 2026
Your Association continues to accelerate professional possibilities
AICC is entering an exciting new chapter in education, but as we look toward the future, one principle will remain at the center of our mission: People learn best when they learn together.
One of the most special things about AICC is the way the Association facilitates genuine relationship-building. Networking receptions, golf outings, and industry events create opportunities to meet people, but some of the most valuable learning and professional growth happens when members have the time and space to build deeper connections.
AICC intentionally brings people together so they can learn from one another, share challenges, exchange ideas, and form relationships that extend far beyond a single event or program.
Through these connections, members are not simply building a professional network. They are developing trusted industry relationships that can help them solve problems, navigate tough decisions, and feel more connected to the industry they serve.
Those relationships help keep talented people in the industry and make the industry feel like home.
Learning Together
The success of programs such as Emerging Leaders, Next Generation Executives, Leadership Advisory Groups, and Women in Packaging demonstrates the value of combining education with relationship-building.
The Next Generation Executives program has successfully launched its first cohort. Participants have learned from experienced industry analysts and business leaders on topics including finance, technology, crisis communication, cybersecurity, real estate, and leadership. While the information being shared is valuable, the relationships forming among the participants may prove equally important. These individuals are building a trusted peer group that can continue supporting one another long after the 18-month program concludes.
We are also approximately halfway through the Business Management in Corrugated Packaging program. Participants are expanding their knowledge across critical areas of business management while learning from each other. They will present their capstone projects to a board of industry professionals and graduate in April.
AICC’s members possess an extraordinary amount of experience and expertise. Whether members are comparing strategies for managing warp, gaining financial insights from Mitch Klingher and other finance professionals, or discussing board grades and paper with Ralph Young, some of the best education in the industry happens through conversations between people who are willing to share what they know.
AICC’s goal is to create intentional opportunities for those conversations to happen.
Expanding Opportunities for Members
In the coming year, AICC will continue building educational experiences that bring people together to learn from and grow with one another.
This fall, we will host the inaugural Women in Packaging Xperience in Kingsport, Tennessee. The program, sponsored by Domtar, will bring together approximately 25 women from across the industry for several days of education, leadership development, and relationship-building.
We are also pleased to announce a 10th CEO Group, which will bring together executives who are navigating similar stages of leadership, ownership, and career decisions. Facilitated by Matt Eichmann, the new group will operate under the existing CEO Group model. Members will have the opportunity to learn from one another, openly discuss challenges, generate ideas, and receive advice from peers who understand the unique responsibilities of leading an independent packaging company.
To learn more these groups and professional development pathways, scan the respective QR code on this page or visit www.AICCbox.org/pathways.
Packaging University Continues to Grow
Packaging University remains one of the most valued benefits of AICC membership.
Thanks to the generous support of the Foundation for Packaging Education, AICC’s Packaging University continues to serve the industry with high-quality educational content. Packaging University provides accessible learning on topics ranging from Workplace Safety Basics and Corrugated Fundamentals to specialized education in sales, production, design, and other functional areas.
To date, more than 30,000 courses have been completed through Packaging University. Courses are added and updated each month in both English and Spanish, and we continue to seek opportunities to optimize the overall user experience.
To learn more and dive into Packaging University, scan the respective QR code on this page or visit www.AICCbox.org/packu.
Responding to Industry Needs
AICC education must continue to respond to what members are asking for. One consistent request has been additional production training.
We are pleased to welcome INSCO as an AICC Education Partner and bring its online Advanced Corrugator Program to our members. The training has been reviewed by AICC experts, and members will receive access at the lowest cost available in North America.
INSCO will also host a technical program on Corrugator Defects at Corrugated Week. The program is designed for operators, supervisors, plant managers, and maintenance managers who want to better understand how seemingly minor defects can lead to production inefficiencies, increased waste, rework, customer complaints, and reduced profitability. The training reinforces the importance of sheet quality as a driver of manufacturing efficiency, product quality, and overall business performance.
For other learning opportunities at Corrugated Week, scan the respective QR code on this page or visit www.corrugatedweek.org.
AI is another topic members are increasingly interested in understanding. A series of webinars will provide practical guidance on how companies can realistically begin implementing AI to improve efficiency within their businesses. The goal is to help members identify useful starting points, understand potential applications, and become more comfortable with tools that are rapidly becoming part of everyday business. Even the most traditional companies will eventually face the question not whether AI will influence their business, but when and how they will begin adopting it.
Check out these upcoming AI-focused webinars via the respective QR code on this page or at www.AICCbox.org/calendar:
- October 8, 2–3 p.m. ET: Winning AI Search: How Packaging Manufacturers Get Found, Recommended, and Chosen
- December 8, 2–3 p.m. ET: Practical AI for Leadership & Business Productivity
Intentional, Accessible, Impactful
As we develop new programs and strengthen existing ones, our goal is to be intentional about every educational opportunity we bring to members.
That may mean offering hybrid groups that combine in-person and virtual participation, making programs more accessible. It may mean partnering with trusted education providers to offer valuable training at an affordable cost to AICC members. In other cases, it may mean creating something entirely new in-house.
AICC strives to provide members with education that is efficient, affordable, accessible, and impactful.
Our industry is built on relationships, but it is also built on a shared thirst for knowledge. AICC brings those strengths together by creating learning environments in which members gain practical information while developing relationships that support them throughout their careers.
The future of the independent packaging industry is bright, and associations such as AICC play an important role in protecting and strengthening that future.
By creating intentional opportunities to learn, connect, and grow, AICC is helping members prepare for the challenges of today—and the opportunities ahead.
Rebecca Rendon is AICC’s director of education and leadership development. She can be reached at rrendon@AICCbox.org.
Sidebar: Explore the Opportunities
Advisory Groups, Committees, and Emerging Leaders
Packaging University
AI Webinars and Other Upcoming Events
