Virtual Digital Packaging Summit Kicks Off Today with Full Slate of Industry Insights
Day one of the Virtual Digital Packaging Summit begins today with a robust program of industry experts, researchers, and converters sharing their insights into the latest developments in digital production technology in the packaging industry. Now in its sixth year, the Summit, traditionally held in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., has moved to a virtual setting, while maintaining all of the elements that make the event the premier educational resource for digital packaging.
The program begins at 11 a.m. EST, with an opening presentation from Marco Boer, VP of I.T. Strategies, and the co-chairman of the Digital Packaging Summit. In 2020, the impacts of COVID-19 have been felt across all industries, and Boer will share his insights into how the pandemic will affect the packaging segment into the future, and how automated production processes will be beneficial in contending with these new realities.
Following Boer’s presentation, Kevin Karstedt, CEO of Karstedt Partners and co-chairman of the Digital Packaging Summit, will host a panel conversation with representatives from the four keynote sponsors of the event. Joining Karstedt are Bill Myers, marketing manager for Domino Digital Printing North America, Brian Cleary, North America Label Segment Category Manager for HP, Donna Covannon, director of marketing North America for Xeikon, and Mark Schlimme, VP of Marketing for SCREEN Americas. These leading suppliers of digital printing and production technologies will share details of some of their companies’ latest developments, and their views on the continuing impacts digital printing will have on the industry.
First-hand user experiences will take the stage next, as Cory Francer, editor-in-chief of Packaging Impressions, hosts the Keynote Sponsor User Panel. Four package printers will join Francer to discuss how their companies have implemented digital printing technology and the benefits it has had on their organizations. The panelists include AJ Buran, president of GOpak, Dennis Ebeltoft, joint managing director of Springfield Solutions, John Abbott, president of Abbott Label, and Nikkie Freeman, chief commercial officer for Stouse.
The day’s final presentation will take a look at how COVID-19 has shifted the economy, and the packaging supply chain. Andrew Paparozzi, chief economist for the PRINTING United Alliance, and Lisa Cross, principal analyst for NAPCO Research, will share their insights into the latest packaging trends and key elements driving the industry forward, sharing data from PRINTING United Alliance’s economic research, and NAPCO Research’s survey data from the packaging segment.
For more on the Digital Packaging Summit, click here.
Cory Francer is an Analyst with NAPCO Research, where he leads the team’s coverage of the dynamic and growing packaging market. Cory also is the former editor-in-chief of Packaging Impressions and is still an active contributor to its print magazines, blogs, and events. With a decade of experience as a professional journalist and editor, Cory brings an eye for storytelling to his packaging research, providing compelling insight into the industry's most pressing business issues. He is an active participant in many of the industry's associations and has played an essential role in the development of the annual Digital Packaging Summit. Cory can be reached at cfrancer@napco.com
