2023 Topics

Blue Ocean Strategy in a Sea of Sameness

Corrugated usage has dropped 8.4%. A large decline affecting manufacturers worldwide. What can you do as a company to stand out among a sea of sameness? How do you become an influencer and educator that sets you apart and increases your visibility? It starts in your personal and company marketing strategy. Finding ways to reach the buyers of today in ways not being utilized by the norm. Come find out where your customers are looking, and what they are looking for in packaging. You may be surprised.  

Finally, a brief look into what I think is the best maintenance department in the world, and why!

How to Use Technology to Transform Your Workforce, Achieve Business Goals, and Delight Customers 

Specification data crosses company departments, functions, and priorities. From product and quality, to sales and marketing, to sourcing and leadership - accurate specification is the foundation for achieving business goals. Too often, teams spend time chasing down data -- whether from organizational silos, legacy systems, or suppliers, but by giving them the right tools and data they can spend less time managing data and more time innovating. This ultimately leads to a transformed workforce focused on delivering business goals and customer success. 

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Sustainable Packaging in Social Media

The future of packaging has changed both for your customer and their customer. Sustainable packaging can’t exist without social media. Sustainable packaging and how it is part of the product, its use, and how it is shipped is what customers and consumers are talking about all over social media. Paper packaging may not always be sustainable. It’s time to shake things up a bit in our industry. Find out why, be aware or you might be left behind. 

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True Sustainability Defined: Closing the Gap Between Being Sustainable and Being Zero Waste

Sustainability has always been at the core of our industry.  Our forests and the environment are at the forefront of everything we do.  As the needs and wants of your customers change, how you respond will become increasingly more important.  Are all your processes sustainable?  Where are you on the road to becoming Zero Waste?  The words Zero Waste are becoming ever more important with your paper-based customers.  In our discussion, we will explore how being a sustainable company can be the first step to also being a Zero Waste manufacturer, putting solid practices in place and what the added benefits are with establishing a Zero Waste program for both your organization and your customer’s as well.  

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​​​The CX Gap You May Have Overlooked
In the world of big advertising, always-on media, digital optimization, and obsession with CX (customer experience) an important part of every eCommerce journey has been overlooked…CORRUGATED ECOMMERCE PACKAGING!!! In an effort to understand the most compelling benefits of and biggest barriers to adopting improved eCommerce corrugated packaging as a brand engagement strategy, EFI commissioned qualitative and quantitative research projects targeting companies ranging from brands, retailers, agencies, and 3PLs.  The session will discuss EFI findings from this research project and how well-branded corrugated eCommerce packaging unlocks new possibilities for brands and retailers to elevate perception, stand out, and stay top of mind.

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Plastic Is Out - Sustainability Is In -– Are You Ready to Sell Reusable Corrugated?

Plastic totes and bins have “owned” the market for too long. Learn how durable, reusable, easily recycled, corrugated can outperform plastic as they can be held open and/or closed repeatedly without tape.

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Panel Discussion: Startup Consumer Brands Helping Save The Planet   

Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands are at the tip of the spear when it comes to making decisions that have a ripple effect on global consumption and consumer habits. That’s because the ingredients, packaging materials, and shipping methods they choose impact every aspect of what happens before, during, & after their product leaves the manufacturing floor all the way to the homes of consumers as well as what happens after they consume those products. Corporations choose profits over people (& the planet) by using terrible ingredients, cheap materials, & single-use plastics. In this session, you will discover Startup CPG brands using quality ingredients, leveraging reusable materials, and going plastic free to provide better products for people, their communities, and the environment.  

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Tips and Strategies for Box Manufacturers to Demonstrate ESG Commitments and Win Market Share

Conscious consumerism is a key driver in the supplier selection process for brands today. Just as customers are loyal to brands that align with and demonstrate the same environmental and societal values, brands are looking for similar commitments from manufacturers and suppliers. In this session, Devin Nutter shares simple tips for how box manufacturers can accelerate employee and marketing programs to influence awareness and achieve greater market share.

You’ll hear:

 

1. What questions brands typically ask in RFIs/RFPs to learn how suppliers are proving their commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), and how to respond.

2. Why understanding employee sustainability and DE&I programs are critical to your success and what steps you can take to implement a meaningful program.

3. How using your website and social media channels can help to position your organization as a “good fit” for ESG-savvy brands.