Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1545393
Pallet C e nt ral • July -Aug u st 2 0 26 1 5 Woodpack Global At Expo Richmond E xpo Richmond delivered on every front this year, and Woodpack Global was right in the middle of the action. A highlight came when Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger stopped by the Woodpack Global booth. She took time to learn about our mission, meet our team, and hear firsthand about the vital role the wooden pallet and packaging industry plays in keeping the world's supply chain moving. Education kicked off on Friday with a Pallet Design System™ (PDS) and Crate Design System™ (CDS) Course, giving attendees a working look at the software that's been an industry standard for decades, and a sneak preview of the upcoming CDS software. We also rolled out the welcome mat for our new identity with a complimentary "Happy Hour & A Half !" at Richmond's well-known Tobacco Factory. It was the perfect setting to toast the Woodpack Global rebrand alongside members, partners, and friends of the association. Expo Richmond was also a great chance to introduce our newest team members to the industry. ey got their shoes dusty walking the show floor, took in pallet and logging equipment up close, and met many of our members face-to-face. And while staff was in town, we made the most of it: the team sat in on a half-day AI training workshop led by Nick Pericle, one of our ALC keynoters. It was a sharp, practical session that provided staff with new tools for everyday operational efficiency. A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who stopped by the booth, joined a session, or raised a glass with us. President & CEO Brent McClendon Presents In Portugal To FEFPEB P resident & CEO Brent McClendon traveled to Porto, Portugal, to present at the Fédération Européenne des Fabricants de Palettes et Emballages en Bois (FEFPEB) Spring Conference. e visit included a pallet tour of Madeca. Brent's presentation covered Woodpack Global's work on the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the role the Pallet Foundation has played in advancing the industry, and the strategic rationale behind the association's recent name change. e exchange that followed was strong and productive, surfacing both the work still ahead on PPWR and new opportunities to collaborate more closely with European counterparts. Building on that momentum, Woodpack Global will exhibit PDS/CDS and participate in the 73rd FEFPEB Congress, September 30, 2026 – October 2, 2026, in Båstad, Sweden. Pallet C e nt ral • July -Aug u st 2 0 26 1 5