The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) invites members and others in the folding carton industry to gather in Orlando, Florida, September 30 through October 2 for the 2026 Fall Meeting.
Hosted at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista at Disney Springs, the meeting will feature keynote presentations, industry updates, peer discussions, and recognition of excellence in paperboard packaging. Attendees will also have opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the industry while exploring topics ranging from leadership development and economic trends to global market dynamics and the future of paperboard packaging.
One of the meeting’s signature events will be the Annual Paperboard Packaging Competition awards presentation. Often referred to as the “Oscars of the paperboard industry,” the competition recognizes outstanding achievements in carton design and manufacturing. Judged by a panel of packaging experts, the competition showcases the creativity, innovation, and technical capabilities shaping today’s folding carton market. Winners of the Student Design Challenge will also be recognized, highlighting the next generation of packaging talent.
The meeting also marks the launch of PPC’s new Every Folding Carton Tells a Story campaign, an industry-wide initiative designed to highlight the value of fiber-based packaging through the voices of PPC members. The campaign will feature real-world stories, photos, videos, and examples of innovative carton designs that demonstrate paperboard packaging’s role in sustainability, product protection, branding, and the circular economy. Members are encouraged to contribute content that showcases packaging innovations, helps educate brand owners, inspires future designers, and strengthens the industry’s collective voice.
Professional development will remain a central focus throughout the conference.
The Women in Packaging Breakfast will feature a presentation by Ann Bowers-Evangelista, President of Llumos, LLC, titled How We Work. How We Lead. How We Grow. Drawing from her book The Endurance Leader, Bowers-Evangelista will lead an interactive session focused on building sustainable leadership practices that support long-term career success. The discussion will explore resilience, talent development, leading through change, and strategies for remaining effective in increasingly demanding work environments. Designed for professionals at every career stage, the session emphasizes practical tools participants can immediately apply within their organizations.
Award-winning filmmaker, entrepreneur, and attorney Nick Nanton will deliver his keynote, Creativity Protects You: How to Create Opportunities When Everyone Else Sees Obstacles. Nanton will share lessons from a career that has included directing more than 75 documentaries, producing Broadway shows, interviewing influential business and entertainment leaders, and building multiple successful companies. His presentation will focus on creativity as a business skill, demonstrating how innovative thinking helps leaders navigate uncertainty, solve problems, strengthen relationships, and uncover opportunities in challenging circumstances.
Attendees will also hear from Mark Mills, President of Orlando-based Spectrum Packaging Corporation (SPC), during the Independent Converter Spotlight. Mills will discuss Spectrum Packaging’s growth and evolution while sharing insights into the leadership philosophy, operational strategies, and company culture that have helped it succeed. The session offers attendees an opportunity to learn from a fellow independent manufacturer and gain practical perspectives that can be applied within their own organizations.
The conference will also provide an international perspective on the folding carton market. Mike Turner, Managing Director of the European Carton Makers Association (ECMA), and Neil Osment, Managing Director of NOA Limited, will examine the economic conditions and legislative developments influencing Europe’s folding carton industry, offering insight into trends that could shape global packaging markets in the years ahead.
Ron Hetrick, Principal Economist at Lightcast, will close the educational program with an economic outlook covering labor market conditions, workforce trends, and the broader economic factors influencing manufacturing. Drawing on decades of experience with the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the staffing industry, Hetrick will offer data-driven analysis to help attendees better understand the forces affecting business planning and workforce development.
PPC has planned several networking opportunities, including an evening at EPCOT featuring a private reception and dinner followed by an outdoor viewing of the park’s nighttime fireworks spectacular.
Those wishing to explore Orlando’s many attractions after the conference can take advantage of PPC member exclusive discounts on attractions, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment.
With a program that combines business insights, leadership development, industry recognition, and valuable networking opportunities, the Fall Meeting promises to deliver meaningful conversations and takeaways for folding carton professionals from across North America.
To register, visit www.paperbox.org.
