Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1212207
PalletCentral • January-February 2020 11 been completed, with primary elections extending into June, just less than nine months to the presidential election. If the race felt intense before, it's about to become ferocious as we careen into November. If one thing is certain in this presidential election cycle, is that nothing is guaranteed. So, that is the world at the start of 2020. Now, we have to look clearly at what's ahead. And it is a serious challenge. The politics of this election have and will strain our nation. Americans will question our electoral process and institutions. Businesses do not succeed if our financial system becomes upended. Our system does not function if Americans don't trust their institutions or if they lose faith in the democratic system. We have to engage the men and women of our industry in the political process. That means engaging and equipping NWPCA members with factual information. Promoting civic engagement and educating voters on manufacturing issues will strengthen the democratic foundation of our country. Presidential elections can feel all consuming, especially this one. It's easy to get swept up in the whirlwind and lose sight of the horizon. The long-term view is that we need stability, which will allow us to provide for ourselves and those dependent on us, our families. Generation after generation, the leaders of the wood packaging sector helped power our industry's success. It is a reminder that economic upheavals, world wars, social unrest, rapid change, political crises, tragedy and triumph are no match for this industry. It's also something to live by and come to peace with whatever the turnout of the election is in 2020. Take solace in knowing that you have contributed to an active advocacy program for the pallet industry through your involvement, voting, financial and human capital investment, responding to polls, being educated on the issues, and participation in the election process. Thanks to you, the state of the wooden pallet and container industry is strong. Patrick Atagi is vice president, advocacy and external affairs at NWPCA. He also serves as executive director of the NWPCA PAC. He may be reached at 703.519.6104 or patagi@palletcentral.com. 2020 Elections & The Political Landscape A ward-winning journalist A.B. Stoddard will headline the NWPCA Annual Leadership Conference (ALC), offering her nonpartisan insight on the top political news of the day and outlook on 2020 elections. Stoddard has her finger on the pulse of Washington, DC as she offers detailed and smart political and electoral analyses. Ms. Stoddard shares what to expect in the 2020 presidential election and how the outcome could impact your business. Join us for this lively conversation with a Washington, DC insider on Thursday, March 5. Industry Consolidation, Private Equity and Transition Impacting the Pallet Business O n Thursday afternoon, March 5, PalletPAC sponsors a session at ALC on the state of the industry, business and politics. Confirmed panelists to date include: Bernie Kamps, Kamps Pallets; Howe Wallace, PalletOne; and Mike Hachtman, Relogistics Services. Hear from these leaders how advocacy is more important than ever as new players enter the industry and the old guard transitions. Generation after generation, the leaders of the wood packaging sector helped power our industry's success. It is a reminder that economic upheavals, world wars, social unrest, rapid change, political crises, tragedy and triumph are no match for this industry.