‘Legacy in Action’ Comes to Life at AICC Spring Meeting

AICC brought together close to 800 industry leaders, innovators, and rising professionals for its 2026 Spring Meeting in Carlsbad, California—delivering an energizing and impactful event that celebrated leadership, learning, and connection across the independent packaging community. Guided by the theme “Legacy in Action: Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders,” the meeting offered a dynamic mix of high-level insights, forward-looking discussions, and meaningful networking opportunities that reflected the industry’s strength and momentum. From the opening moments, the energy was unmistakable. Attendees engaged in a full schedule of programming designed to address today’s challenges while preparing companies for the future—from economic outlooks and artificial intelligence to leadership development and operational excellence.

Powerful General Sessions and Keynotes

The general sessions featured compelling presentations from industry thought leaders and keynote speakers. Futurist Jim Carroll delivered a forward-looking keynote on transformative trends shaping the future of business, while best-selling sports author Ross Bernstein closed the meeting with an inspiring presentation on leadership, integrity, and high-performance culture. Attendees also heard from Matt Eichmann, founder and leadership advisor at Catalyst Point Leadership Advisors, who provided actionable insights on building strong teams and developing future leaders.

Industry Expertise

The Focus Session and general sessions brought together respected voices from across the industry. George Staphos, managing director of equity research at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, provided an economic outlook, while Jules Van Sant, executive director at Two Sides North America, addressed sustainability and greenwashing in the packaging space. A State of the Industry panel moderated by Joe Morelli of The Morelli Group LLC featured:

• • Chad Wagner, Peachtree Packaging

• • Greg Tucker, Bay Cities Packaging & Design

• • Mike Schaefer, Tavens Packaging & Display

• • Larry Grossbard, President Container

• • A transcript of the panel is this issue’s cover feature. Check it out on p. 34.

• • Aleks Zlatic of Aurum Intelligence Inc. moderated a conversation about how AI is transforming business operations with panelists:

• • Gokul Gopakumar, SUN Automation Group

• • Jeff Putt, DeLine Box & Display

• • Mohamed Azzouz, Royal Container Ltd.

• • Aki Leiniäinen, Valmet Inc.

• • Jim Hawton, Bay Cities Packaging & Design

Breakout Sessions Focused on Leadership, Security, and Innovation

Two days of breakout sessions provided attendees with practical tools and strategies. Eichmann led sessions on leadership development and navigating change. K.M. Zouhary, founder and principal consultant at KMZ Advisors, explored the intersection of emotional intelligence and AI, as well as leading across generations. Tom Trinchi of Jamestown Container Cos., alongside Roftiel Constantine, Barry Wehmiller, and Ken Saganowski of MoxFive, participated in a discussion on Cyber Security: Threats, Tactics & Trends with moderator Theo Peterson of Amtech Software. AI in ERP & Plant Management Systems was tackled by moderator Tonya Morelli of The Morelli Group LLC, with panelists Danna Nelson of Amtech Software; Scott Anderson of Kiwiplan, an Advantive Co.; Dave Hall of ePS; Peter Dobell of OMP; Philip Webb of Pakked; and Jason Hooston of Two10 Technologies.

Recognizing Excellence and Industry Leaders

A highlight of the meeting was the recognition of outstanding contributions within the industry. Bob Cohen of Acme Corrugated Box Co. was honored with induction into the AICC Hall of Fame, one of the Association’s highest recognitions, celebrating a career defined by leadership, dedication, and lasting contributions to the independent packaging industry. His recognition reflects not only his professional achievements but also his commitment to strengthening the AICC community and advancing the success of independent boxmakers. Two of Bob’s sons, Jeremy and Erik, accepted the award on his behalf, creating a moment that served as a powerful reminder of the impact that individual leadership can have on the industry and the legacy that continues to inspire future generations. The longevity of AICC members was also highlighted through the Member Milestone Recognition program. In 2026, the following companies are celebrating anniversaries of continual operation:

• • 40 Years: OMP

• • 70 Years: Jamestown Container Cos.

• • 80 Years: Pamarco

• • 100 Years: Mid America Paper Recycling Co.

Videos celebrating the history of these companies are available at www.AICCbox.org.

Independent Safe Shop Award

There was more to celebrate during the meeting. Advance Logistics & Fulfillment (Vanguard); Akers Packaging facilities in Middletown, Ohio (N-Stock Box), Evansville, Indiana, North Vernon, Indiana, and Huntington, West Virginia; American Packaging Corp.; Jamestown Container Cleveland; McElroy Contract Packaging; Niagara Sheets; Vanguard Packaging & Digital; and Wunderlich Fibre Box Co. all earned the Independent Safe Shop Award. These companies showed their commitment to employee safety by having a 2025 OSHA Recordable Incident Rate of less than 2.5 and Lost Workdays Incident Rate of zero.

Independents’ Cup Charity Golf Tournament

Additionally, the following teams won the Independents’ Cup Charity Golf Tournament. The Tournament raised $10,000 for the Foundation for Packaging Education, which helps maintain and grow educational opportunities for AICC members. First Place, South Course:

• • John Pepper, Atlantic Packaging

• • Kelly Albert, Atlantic Packaging

• • Adam Pauwels, Atlantic Packaging

• • Corey Pedneault, Atlantic Packaging

• • First Place, North Course:

• • Andrew Bell, Packaging Express

• • Kirby Heck, Packaging Express

• • Marcus Rozatti, CPG StarCorr Sheets

• • Nathan Schwarz, CPG StarCorr Sheets

These moments underscored AICC members’ commitment to safety, longevity, and excellence in the industry.

Networking, Community, and Engagement

Beyond the educational sessions, the Spring Meeting delivered exceptional opportunities for connection. From the Opening Night Reception and Late-Night Mix & Mingle to networking breakfasts, lunches, and local adventures, attendees built relationships that will continue to strengthen the independent sector. The AICC Spring Meeting also highlighted the strength of its next generation and the growing impact of its community-driven initiatives. Emerging Leaders were actively engaged throughout the week, beginning with a dedicated training session featuring Jack Fiterman, vice president of business development at Liberty Diversified International, who shared insights on culture and leadership development, followed by a well-attended networking event that fostered meaningful connections among rising professionals. The AICC Women in Packaging Group continued to build momentum with a series of well-supported events, including a networking breakfast featuring Tonya Morelli, as well as a golf lesson and nine-hole scramble that combined skill-building with relationship-building. Adding to the family-friendly atmosphere, the Kids in Corrugated program offered a unique opportunity for younger attendees to engage with the industry through a hands-on corrugated project and guided activities, reinforcing the importance of introducing the next generation to the world of packaging in a fun, interactive way. AICC also added a pickleball tournament to this Spring Meeting. The tournament winners were:

• • Doug Butler, A.G. Stacker Inc.

• • Kelly Albert, Atlantic Packaging

• • Michael Klear, Corrugated Solutions

• • Dana Monaco, Corrugated Solutions

Together, these programs reflected AICC’s commitment to developing talent, strengthening connections, and creating inclusive opportunities for engagement across all levels of the industry.

Supporting Members

AICC thanks the following top sponsors for their support of the 2026 Spring Meeting. Please visit www.AICCbox.org/meeting for the full list of sponsors.

• • Premier Platinum Sponsor: Domtar

• • Premier Gold Sponsor: Flint Group

• • Major Golf Sponsor: Hood Container Corp.

• • Premier Silver Sponsor: A.G. Stacker Inc.

• • Premier Bronze Sponsor: SUN Automation Group

A Meeting to Remember

With nearly 800 attendees and a program filled with relevant content, forward-thinking discussions, and high-impact networking, the 2026 AICC Spring Meeting stood out as a powerful gathering for the independent packaging industry. The enthusiasm, collaboration, and shared commitment to growth were evident throughout the week, leaving attendees energized and equipped to lead their organizations into the future. As AICC continues to build on this momentum, the Spring Meeting once again demonstrated the strength of its community—and the enduring value of coming together to learn, connect, and lead. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success. AICC’s next national meeting will be Corrugated Week, in collaboration with TAPPI, September 28–30 in Fort Worth, Texas. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org/calendar.