Paperboard Packaging Council

The best advice in our industry doesn't come from a textbook; it comes from experience.

As part of our recent conversations with emerging leaders in paperboard packaging, one theme came up again and again: the people in this industry are always willing to share what they've learned.

So we're asking you: What's one piece of advice you wish someone had given you on your first day in paperboard packaging?

Share it in the comments and help inspire the next generation of leaders!

What allows an independent converter to reorganize production and deliver 50,000 cartons in two days?

It starts with decisions that stay close to the customer.

PPC recently spoke with Sarah Skinner of Ingersoll Paper Box; Mark Mills of Spectrum Packaging Corporation; Kerry Brown of Curtis Packaging; and Jean-Christophe Duchamp of Autajon about the responsiveness, technical expertise, accountability, and close customer relationships that define independent converters and strengthen the folding carton industry as a whole.

Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4pS3kxI

The biggest conversations in paperboard packaging will happen this fall in Orlando.

Join us from September 30 - October 2, for PPC's premier annual gathering with industry-leading education, strategic conversations, and unparalleled networking. From leadership strategies and global industry trends to recognition of industry excellence, this is where you need to be.
Plus, take advantage of exclusive attendee savings on Walt Disney World® Resort tickets and Orlando-area attractions to extend your stay.

Principal Member Super Early-Bird pricing ends August 17. Register today: https://bit.ly/4ajmwOb

Women industry leaders: You've invested years in your career. Now it's time to invest in yourself.

Join the Women in Packaging Council at PPC's Fall Meeting as Ann Bowers-Evangelista, President of Llumos, leads an interactive session on building the resilience, self-awareness, and perspective needed for long-term leadership. You'll leave with tools and strategies to help you lead with purpose through every stage of your career.

Commit to your growth this fall and secure your place among the women leading our industry: https://bit.ly/3TfLcSm

What's the biggest competitive advantage in paperboard packaging?

According to Karla Ness of Mill Rock Packaging, it isn't a press or a production line.

It's people.

As PPC's 2026 Woods Scholar Award recipient, Karla is part of a new generation of leaders thinking differently about the trajectory of our industry.

Meet Karla and other emerging professionals helping lead the future of folding cartons and paperboard packaging: https://bit.ly/4oRS2sI

Is your compensation strategy keeping pace with today’s labor market?

PPC’s member-exclusive Wage Report gives participating members the data they need to benchmark pay, strengthen recruitment and retention, and make informed workforce decisions.

Newly expanded this year: a dedicated Sales Staff and Compensation Report, seven regional reports, and the return of Canadian wage benchmarking, providing a more complete view of compensation across the North American paperboard packaging industry.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4wTIQH3

The industry's biggest opportunities rarely come from a presentation.

They come from the conversations before breakfast, the ideas exchanged between sessions, and the relationships built over three days together.

Join PPC's Fall Meeting in Orlando, September 30–October 2, to connect with the people shaping the future of paperboard packaging while celebrating the industry's top innovations and emerging talent.

Take advantage of our Principal Member Super Early-Bird Rate: https://bit.ly/4ajmwOb

71 TICCIT events. More than 10,000 students reached.

That's the impact Smurfit Westrock made through this year's TICCIT® program.

As one of many PPC member companies participating in TICCIT, Smurfit Westrock helped bring sustainability education to classrooms across North America on an extraordinary scale, reaching thousands of students through hands-on learning about trees, recycling, renewable resources, and paperboard packaging.

We're grateful to Smurfit Westrock and all participating PPC members for helping inspire the next generation while sharing our industry's sustainability story.

See how PPC members made an impact this year: https://bit.ly/4eg5pzl

Look who's PPC proud. Please help us welcome World Arts Inc. to the PPC community.

For more than 30 years, this employee-owned company has helped brands bring complex projects to life through high-quality production and a commitment to customer service.

Learn more about World Arts: https://bit.ly/4wkmA9i

What if your greatest competitive advantage isn't technology, but the way you think?

Artificial intelligence, economic uncertainty, and constant disruption are changing the way we lead. At PPC's Fall Meeting, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and entrepreneur Nick Nanton will challenge the idea that creativity is reserved for artists. Instead, he'll show why it's one of the most valuable leadership skills for creating opportunities when everyone else sees obstacles. Walk away with practical strategies to navigate uncertainty and turn challenges into opportunities.

Reserve your seat now and take advantage of the Super Early Bird pricing before it's gone. We look forward to seeing you in Orlando: https://bit.ly/4ajmwOb