Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1243182
10 PalletCentral • March-April 2020 palletcentral.com INSIDENWPCA Participation of Hispanic Community Skyrockets at ALC T hree years ago, a group of NWPCA members representing the Hispanic pallet community came together at the Annual Leadership Conference (ALC) inaugural "Hispanic Mix and Mingle." Since that first meeting, NWPCA has seen significant growth from this important demographic. There were 50 participants at the Hispanic Mingle held at the ALC in Naples, Florida. There was excitement around networking, and a presentation by Carly Taylor, Oregon Pallet, who discussed how their company managed following an incident at their facility. Special thanks go to Beatrice Vasquez, Oxnard Pallet Company, for her assistance in increasing participation from the Hispanic community, and the value these annual mingles can provide for NWPCA members. Future Leaders Reception at ALC N WPCA hosted a "Future Leaders" reception during our 2020 ALC. Over 20 Young Gens from the wood packaging industry attended the event to network and discuss business interests and issues. Although there are no specific plans for the group, everyone agreed that holding similar receptions for the younger generation is worthwhile. Global Wood Packaging Appeal to Safeguard Essential Business A s our world leaders put emergency measures in place to protect the population from the spread of COVID-19, the Global Wood Packaging Forum (GWPF) directed a statement to all Governments. The statement is an appeal, urging world leaders to safeguard the ability of essential businesses to continue operations as they develop new policies. The GWPF further emphasizes how wooden pallets and containers are essential services and critical infrastructure as the world begins recovering from this pandemic. The NWPCA is a member of the GWPF, a collaboration of associated wood packaging organizations and representatives from around the world to discuss issues that affect the industry. Read the full release at globalwoodpackagingforum.org. PDS Webinar Series T hroughout April, NWPCA released weekly webinars on the Pallet Design System™ (PDS). The first two sessions focused on PDS basics and commonly asked questions and then moved on to more advanced topics of unit load design with corrugated boxes. Attendance has been solid, averaging 100+ registrants per webinar. The webinars are available to either replay or to access the slide presentations at palletcentral.com/pdslive. NWPCA Launches Membership Campaign; Welcomes 7 New Members T he association just launched its 2020 Spring Membership Campaign. The initial response has been encouraging with seven (7) new members joining: A-1 Pallet Supply (Miami, FL); Bandit Industries (Remus, MI); Central Packaging and Crating (Greenwood, SC); Nelson Company of KY (Lewisburg, KY ); Woodroffe Sawmill (Fort Madison, IA); Woodview Media (Mount Laurel, NJ); and, R.A. Yancey Lumber Corp. (Crozet, VA). The campaign reinforces NWPCA's extensive work surrounding essential critical infrastructure and the workforce, which are benefiting the entire wooden pallet and container industry. Our Sr. Director of Business Partnerships Mark Barford is coordinating the campaign. You may contact him at mbarford@ palletcentral.com.