2026 Fall Meeting
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 10:00 AM - Friday, October 2, 2026 12:00 PM (EDT)
Description
Event Overview
Join executives, thought leaders, and innovators from across the folding carton industry in Orlando for our premier annual event. Featuring keynote presentations, expert panels, valuable networking opportunities, and recognition of the 2026 Paperboard Packaging Competition and Student Design Challenge winners, PPC Fall Meeting in Orlando is a must-attend gathering for industry decision-makers.
Featuring an unforgettable evening at EPCOT®, including a private dinner and reception, an exclusive gathering in a stunning outdoor setting to enjoy a fireworks show, and a unique opportunity to experience EPCOT® in a way you won’t forget.
Registration & Pricing
Principal Member Registration
Super Early Bird Registration
Ends August 16, 2026: $995
Early Bird Registration
Begins August 17, 2026: $1,295
Late Registration
Begins September 2, 2026: $1,495
Associate Member Registration
Early Bird Registration
Ends September 1, 2026
- 1st Registration: $1,295
- 2nd and 3rd Registration: $1,695
General Registration
Begins September 2, 2026
- 1st Registration: $1,495
- 2nd and 3rd Registration: $1,895
No more than 3 individuals from a single Associate Member company may attend.
Hotel & Travel
Hotel Accommodations
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista @ Disney Springs
1751 Hotel Plaza Blvd
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
The hotel room block closes September 1.
Book Your RoomPlease contact Kayla@paperbox.org for more information.
Air Travel
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
MCO is the primary airport serving the Orlando area and is located approximately 20–30 minutes from the hotel.
Transportation options include ride-share, shuttles, taxis, and rental cars.
Allow at least 2–2.5 hours before your flight for check-in, security screening, and potential delays.
Attire
Business casual is requested for committee meetings and general sessions.
Jackets/ties suggested for men and dressy attire for women at Wednesday’s awards dinner.
Casual attire recommended for Thursday night.
Weather
Late September through early October temperatures in Orlando are typically in the mid-to-high 80°F during the day and around 60–70°F in the evening. Humidity can be high and brief afternoon showers are common, so light, breathable clothing and a light jacket or umbrella are recommended.
Orlando Experiences
Discounted Walt Disney World® Theme Park Tickets
Add a little Disney magic to your conference experience with specially priced Walt Disney World® Meeting/Convention Theme Park tickets, available exclusively to PPC attendees and their guests.
To purchase specially priced Walt Disney World® Meeting/Convention Theme Park tickets, use the link below or call 407-566-5600 and provide group code G10127528.
Purchase Disney TicketsWhether it’s your first visit or your 100th, we recommend reviewing the Walt Disney World® Resort Experience Updates before your trip.
Exclusive Orlando Discounts
Looking to explore beyond the conference? Visit Orlando has curated exclusive offers available only to PPC attendees, including discounts on attractions, dining, shopping, entertainment, and more throughout the Orlando area.
Whether you’re visiting iconic attractions or discovering local favorites, these offers can help you make the most of your time in Central Florida.
View Orlando Exclusive OffersConference Schedule
Wednesday, September 30
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. | Registration Opens |
| 9:00–11:30 a.m. | Women in Packaging Ann Bowers-Evangelista, Llumos, LLC |
| 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Associate Member Tabletop Set Up |
| 10:30–11:30 a.m. | Executive Committee Meeting |
| 12:00–2:00 p.m. | Board of Directors Meeting |
| 1:00–2:30 p.m. | Every Folding Carton Tells a Story Roundtable Learn more about the PPC’s Industry Campaign |
| 2:00–3:00 p.m. | Industry Affairs Committee Meeting Learn more about Industry Affairs |
| 3:00–4:00 p.m. | Industry Benchmarking Committee Meeting Learn more about Industry Benchmarking |
| 3:00–4:00 p.m. | Associate Member Committee Meeting |
| 5:30–6:30 p.m. | Welcome Reception |
| 6:30 p.m. | Dinner & Awards Show |
Thursday, October 1
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:00–8:45 a.m. | Welcome Remarks |
| 8:45–10:00 a.m. | Creativity Protects You: How to Create Opportunities When Everyone Else Sees Obstacles Nick Nanton, CEO, Astonish Entertainment |
| 10:00–10:30 a.m. | Film Fest & Networking Break |
| 10:30–11:15 a.m. | Paperboard Packaging Alliance Student Design Challenge Presentations |
| 11:15–11:30 a.m. | Package of the Year Presentation |
| 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | PPC Annual Membership Meeting Emily Leonczyk, President, Paperboard Packaging Council |
| 12:00–2:00 p.m. | Lunch |
| 2:00–2:15 p.m. | Independent Converter Spotlight: Spectrum Packaging Corporation Mark Mills, President |
| 2:15–2:45 p.m. | Regulation to Revolution: What’s Next for Folding Cartons in Europe Mike Turner, Managing Director, ECMA |
| 2:45–3:15 p.m. | A View From the Edge: Unfolding the Future for Cartons Neil Osment, Managing Director, NOA Limited |
| 3:15–3:45 p.m. | Film Fest & Networking Break |
| 3:45–4:45 p.m. | Economic Update Ron Hetrick, Principal Econimist, Lightcast |
| 4:45 p.m. | Closing Remarks |
| 6:30 p.m. | Buses Depart for EPCOT® |
| 6:45–9:45 p.m. | Evening at EPCOT® |
Friday, October 2
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:30–9:00 a.m. | Breakfast & Mimosa Bar |
| 9:00–11:00 a.m. | Member Workshop |
| 10:45–11:00 a.m. | Closing Remarks |
| 11:00 a.m. | Adjourn |
Speakers & Sessions
How We Work. How We Lead. How We Grow.
How We Work. How We Lead. How We Grow.
Ann Bowers-Evangelista
President
Llumos, LLC
You’ve spent years mastering how to do your job well — how to move up, how to lead a team, how to hit the number. But how much time have you spent on the version of you underneath all of that?
Most of us move through our days in reaction mode. And the data backs up what it feels like: this year, 6 in 10 senior-level women report frequently feeling burned out — compared to 5 in 10 men at the same level, according to the 2025 Women in the Workplace report from LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Company. Stress isn’t a personal failing. It’s the water we’re all swimming in.
This 2-hour, highly interactive breakfast session is your chance to pause and change that. Drawing on The Endurance Leader, we’ll dig into what actually creates career longevity — not another productivity hack, but a way to stay connected to what matters as you grow, lead, and move through uncertainty. Expect it to be personal, practical, and immediately useable — whether you’re 2 years in or 40.
Come build the version of your career (and yourself) that lasts.
About the Speaker
Creativity Protects You: How to Create Opportunities When Everyone Else Sees Obstacles
Creativity Protects You: How to Create Opportunities When Everyone Else Sees Obstacles
Nick Nanton
CEO
Astonish Entertainment
The world has changed. Artificial intelligence, economic uncertainty, and constant disruption have left many leaders wondering what skill will matter most in the future. Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, entrepreneur, and 24-time Emmy winner Nick Nanton believes the answer isn’t technology, talent, or even experience—it’s creativity.
In this inspiring and practical keynote, Nick shares unforgettable stories from his extraordinary career, including directing more than 75 documentaries, interviewing some of the world’s most influential leaders and stars (Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey, Bruce Springsteen, Keith Richards, Tony Robbins, Richard Branson, Kathy Ireland and many more), participating in human trafficking rescue operations, producing and directing Broadway shows, and building multiple successful businesses. Through humor, vulnerability, and actionable business principles, he reveals a powerful truth: creativity isn’t reserved for artists—it’s the ability to create options when life removes them.
Audiences will leave with a renewed confidence in their own ability to navigate uncertainty, solve complex problems, build stronger relationships, and turn obstacles into opportunities. More than a keynote, Creativity Protects You is a call to rediscover the creative thinking that has been quietly guiding you all along—and to use it intentionally to build a life and business that can thrive in any environment.
About the Speaker
Over the course of his career, he has directed more than 75 documentaries, won 24 Emmy Awards, produced and directed 3 Broadway shows, had his songs recorded by global recording artists, built multiple businsesses, and interviewed some fo the world’s most accomplished leaders, entertainers, athletes, and entrepreneurs- including Larry King, Dolly Parton, Bruce Springsteen, Richard Bransom, Kris Jenner, Magic Johnson, Kathie Lee Gifford, Keith Richards, Post Malone, Mariah Carey, Mark Cuban, and many others.
But Nick’s story isn’t about celebrity, entertainment, or even businesses. It’s about creativity.
An immigrant from the small Caribbean island of Barbados, raised in Central Florida, Nick learned early that when resources are limited, creativity becomes your greatest asset. Long before he had a name for it, he relied on creativity to solve problems, build relationships, navigate setbacks, and find opportunities where others saw obstacles.
Today, Nick serves as founder of Astonish Entertainment and the Difference Business Bourbon (co-founded with Chris Voss), while continuing to create films and experiences that help people see new possibilities for their lives and work.
Nick has many honors that he is proud of, but a few of his favorites are:
Serving as a Deputy Sheriff doing undercover anti-trafficking work, being awarded a star on The Las Vegas Walk of Stars, knighted by The Order of Saint James in Holland, serving as a judge for Miss America 2025 finals, currently ranked in the top 5% of songwriters globally, and being awarded a Global Humanitarian Award by the Attorney General of Utah alongside Jackie Chan. He lives in Florida with his wife and three children, where he remains endlessly curious about people, stories, and the remarkable ways creativity continues to protect us all.
Independent Converter Spotlight: Spectrum Packaging
Independent Converter Spotlight: Spectrum Packaging
Mark Mills
President
Spectrum Packaging
Session Description Coming Soon
About the Speaker
A University of Minnesota graduate (1992), Mark first fell in love with sales and people while selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door to pay for college. He began his printing career in Minnesota at PGI, where owner Jeff Brower mentored him in building a customer-driven culture. He later gained valuable experience in operational excellence and smart risk-taking at Travel Tags under Bill Cahill. In 2001, he moved to Florida and has never looked back.
Mark’s true passion is creating a workplace where great people love coming to work every day — a place with no silos, shared core values, and a team united in making a positive impact on customers and the industry. Guided by the belief in finding the best people and getting out of their way, he focuses daily on adding value, continuous improvement, and living the 95/5 rule from Unreasonable Hospitality: run the operation with excellence and use the margin to generously invest in employees and customers.
Outside of work, Mark is a devoted family man — husband to his best friend Melissa, father of four, and proud new Papa. He coached soccer for 23 years, has been active in his local church, served on school boards, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Graphic Alliance. He’s also a member of the Shareholders Society, blending networking with a bit of bourbon. During his free time, you can find him on his boat with his family and friends watching sunsets, tubing, and making memories.
Regulation to Revolution: What’s Next for Folding Cartons in Europe
Regulation to Revolution: What’s Next for Folding Cartons in Europe
Mike Turner
Managing Director
European Carton Makers Association (EMCA )
Mike’s presentation will offer a fresh update on the legislative landscape in Europe and its influence on the European folding carton sector. He will cover the latest regulatory changes, industry trends, and key legislative developments that are driving change and will consider whether sustainability is still a differentiator for folding cartons—or just the cost of entry now.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into how these laws and policies are sparking innovation and driving growth. As we look ahead to future legislative trends, Mike will provide crucial insights to adapt and thrive in our ever-changing industry.
About the Speaker
A View From the Edge: Unfolding the Future for Cartons
A View From the Edge: Unfolding the Future for Cartons
Neil Osment
Managing Director
NOA Limited
This presentation will explore the European folding carton market amid the dual pressures of the cost-of-living crisis and growing environmental demands on packaging. It will examine how these forces are creating new growth opportunities for folding cartons across Europe.
Attendees will gain insights into the green transition, key sustainability drivers, and the evolving regulatory landscape shaping the future of paper packaging. The session will help folding carton converters better understand emerging market opportunities and how to position themselves for future growth.
About the Speaker
Neil sits on the committee for the SPA (UK Sheet Plant Association) as well as the Marketing and Communications Committee for the CPI (Confederation of Paper Industries).
NOA is a business development and market research consultancy specialising in the European paper packaging industry. NOA has been assisting businesses to grow their sales, their market profile and develop their leadership skills since 2005.
Economic Update
Economic Update
Ron Hetrick
Principal Economist
Lightcast
Session Description Coming Soon
About the Speaker
Quoted by CBS, CNBC, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and numerous nationally syndicated news channels and magazines on a regular basis, Hetrick has provided analysis for prior Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan, The Council of Economic Advisors to the President, Congress, and numerous Fortune 100 companies and trade associations.
Ron was primary author for The Demographic Drought (2021), Who Is Going to Do the Work? (2022), and, The Rising Storm (2024), and is a co-author of Fault Lines (2026). He keynotes at conferences around the country on the current labor situation.
Ron’s childhood and young adult life was centered around the paper and corrugated box industry as his father was a production and general manager. Ron worked in a paper mill in the lime kiln and as a utility worker on the boilers.
Social Media Toolkit
Your presence at PPC’s Fall Meeting is an opportunity to strengthen your visibility, reinforce your leadership position, and engage with colleagues across the folding carton industry.
This toolkit is designed to make that easy. Our Fall Meeting Toolkit has ready-to-use social media captions tailored for attendees, speakers, and sponsors so you can share your involvement, highlight your perspective, and invite peers to connect with you in Orlando.
- Reinforce your company’s role in the industry conversation
- Highlight your perspective on the issues that matter
- Open the door to meaningful connections before you arrive
Use the captions below alongside official PPC graphics, and personalize your posts with your perspective on why you’re attending, speaking, or sponsoring.
In every post, include the core details:
PPC Fall Meeting | September 30-October 2 | Orlando, Florida
To use a graphic, open it in full size, save it, and pair it with a caption from the sections below: I’m Attending | I’m Speaking | We’re Sponsoring | General Messaging.
- Tag PPC (LinkedIn: Paperboard Packaging Council | Facebook: Paperboard Packaging Council | Instagram: @paperboardpackagingcouncil)
- Engage with fellow attendees byliking,commenting, sharing and reposting PPC updates and member posts. When helpful, add a simple call to action such as “See you in Orlando, “Looking forward to the conversations,” or “Let’s connect onsite.”
- Share what matters most to you: the economic outlook, sustainability discussions, leadership development, benchmarking insights, or peer conversations shaping the folding carton industry.
Attendee Captions
Speaker Captions
Sponsor Captions
General Messaging
Student Design Challenge Participant Captions
Film Fest & Sponsorship
Film Fest
Associate members are invited to submit a 1-2 minute video highlighting their company’s unique attributes and special distinctions. Don’t worry about making it professional—the best videos are made in just a few hours with an iPhone! The only requirement is to have fun and be creative.
Submit the form here to show your video at future PPC Annual Conferences. Videos will be displayed at upcoming meetings in the order they are submitted, as time allows.
Submit Your Film Learn MoreSponsorship
Other sponsorship opportunities are available for PPC Associate Members.
Visit paperbox.org/sponsorship, or submit your request below!
Submit Your Request View Sponsorship OpportunitiesPrincipal Member Registration Pricing
Super Early Bird Registration (Ends August 16, 2026): $995
Early Bird Registration (Begins August 17, 2026): $1,295
Late Registration (Begins September 2, 2026): $1,495
Associate Member Registration Pricing
Early Bird Registration (Ends September 1, 2026):
1st Registration: $1,295
2nd and 3rd Registration: $1,695
General Registration (Begins September 2, 2026):
1st Registration: $1,495
2nd and 3rd Registration: $1,895
No more than 3 individuals from a single Associate Member company may attend.
1751 Hotel Plaza Blvd
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 United States
242 See Attendee List