January 23, 2025
In my introductory column in the November/December 2024 issue of BoxScore, I shared my theme as AICC chair for the year as “Fly the Plane.” You, as the business owner or anyone in any responsible position in the organization, must metaphorically fly the plane—always. You must run your business.
Even though you may not be a trained pilot, we’ve all traveled enough to know that while the pilot is the most recognizable person for the success and the safety of the flight, they do not get the plane off the ground alone. There is the contribution of an entire team.
This is AICC’s eighth Big Associate Issue. AICC’s Associate members are, in keeping with my theme, the ground crew.
The ground crew are critical partners with the pilot in the success of the flight, in the success of our businesses. They build the plane, they maintain it, they supply it, they improve and upgrade it for more efficient operation, they train the flight crew.
Ground crews do all of these things to ensure a successful flight, just as our Associate members contribute to the success of our businesses. It is vitally necessary for AICC Associate members to be the ground crew for the general members.
AICC, too, is an important part of any ground crew. For Package Crafters and Creative Packaging, AICC brings together the pilots and a vast ground crew and provides a unique forum for them to interact, regardless of the weather or business conditions ahead.
Think of this issue as your flight operations manual. Thank you to our ever-important Associates for being our ground crew.
Gary Brewer
President, Package Crafters and Creative Packaging
AICC Chairman
