Getting Down to Business at the 2022 Spring National Meeting and Conference

May 12, 2022

Plastics Industry Association members from across the plastics industry value chain assembled in Chicago, May 2 through May 4, for the 2022 PLASTICS Spring National Meeting and Conference.

Plastics Industry Association members from across the plastics industry value chain assembled in Chicago, May 2 through May 4, for the 2022 PLASTICS Spring National Meeting and Conference.

The purpose of our bi-annual National Meeting & Conference is to set the course for the future of our association and the plastics industry as a whole. During three days of important meetings and informative presentations, our Board of Directors met to conduct vital association business as did members of our primary councils (Equipment Suppliers & Moldmakers, Material Suppliers and Processors), and various key committees.

Uppermost on everyone’s agenda was congratulating Matt Seaholm and Glenn Anderson on having recently been appointed CEO and COO of plastics. They were introduced in their new roles by Tad McGwire, Chair of the PLASTICS Board of Directors. Attendees showed great enthusiasm for the Board’s decision in selecting Seaholm and Anderson, as well as for the association vision Seaholm shared in his first public remarks since being appointed CEO on April 26.

Opportunities to learn

The conference portion of the event consisted of presentations from an excellent lineup of speakers from both inside and outside the association. Among the topics covered in these exclusive sessions:

  • State and federal legislative activity affecting the plastics industry
  • PLASTICS’ increasing focus on sustainability
  • Insights on the economy related to plastics
  • Growth opportunities for the plastics industry
  • Workforce development in a rough labor market
  • Supply chain risk management
  • Employee Health & Safety

Members also received updates on several benefits of membership including advocacy in Washington D.C. and state capitals nationwide, and access to special reports designed to help member companies make well-informed business decisions. There were also sessions focused on the association’s efforts to invest in the future by helping younger plastics professionals achieve their full potential.

All work and no play…not at all

Another feature of a PLASTICS National Meeting and Conference is the opportunity to meet socially with fellow attendees, catch up with old friends, renew acquaintances, forge lasting friendships and build relationships that prove mutually beneficial for member companies.

This year’s Spring National Meeting and Conference offered an exceptionally special opportunity for celebrating the plastics industry community in that it included an induction gala for the Plastics Hall of Fame. It was a wonderful opportunity for those enjoying the fruits of the industry today to pay tribute to people whose careers were instrumental to the incredible growth the plastics industry has enjoyed. Adding to the celebration was the presentation of PLASTICS inaugural William R. Carteaux Leadership Award.

The Fall National Meeting & Conference is scheduled for September 20 through 23 in Asheville, North Carolina.