Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/801657
undreds of pallet industry leaders have already registered for what is on-track to be another record-setting NWPCA Annual Leadership Conference (ALC). This year's conference takes place in Tucson, Arizona at the popular Loews Ventana Canyon from March 8-10, 2017. NWPCA's top-notch education program will cover the wood packaging industry's most relevant and timely topics – providing the "know-how" you need to successfully advance your business. The Exhibitor Showcase (pages 16-17) will feature the latest in products and services for the wood packaging industry that can save you money and increase your business' efficiencies. Throughout this edition of PalletCentral, we bring you a sampling of what to expect for the NWPCA ALC that brings to you wood packaging solutions all in one place, all under the beautiful skies of Tucson. Make Some Noise: Open the Throttle and Dominate Your Marketplace One of the most in-demand speakers and communications consultants in America, Ken Schmidt has lived a life that most can only dream about. He has toured the world on two wheels, met with presidents and royalty, partied with movie and music legends, and appeared numerous times on network news. As the former director of communications for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, he played an active role in one of the most celebrated turn- arounds in corporate history – and got paid to ride motorcycles. He is widely known as one of the business world's most outspoken and provocative thought leaders and has partnered with many of the world's most successful brands. Ken will share stories and insights on the road to building a fanatically vocal customer base, creating a passionately loyal corporate culture, and developing leaders who inspire and motivate. Forest Sector Collaboration, Branding and our Future The wood packaging sector plays a vital role in sustainably connecting the dots from our nation's family farms and forests to the end consumer. Recent partnerships and collaborative projects, new research initiatives, and a real sense of urgency are bringing the entire forest sector closer together now than ever before. The American Forest Foundation, U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, and the U.S. Forest Products Lab will detail the branding, advocacy, education and research initiatives underway in 2017, and how these will collectively raise our profile and make a difference for your company and the entire forest products sector. Tom Martin is President and CEO of the American Forest Foundation. Formerly, he served as the Executive Vice President of the National Parks Conservation Association, the citizens advocacy group for a superlative National Park system. He also served as President and Member of the Board of Directors of Earth Force, Inc., the nation's largest young people's environmental and citizenship education and action group. As the Founding Director, Michigan Offices of the Great Lakes and Water Resources, State Water Administrator, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, he acted as chief advocate on these issues for Michigan before Congress, international and regional bodies. For a decade Carlton Owen has served as H Innovating, Branding and Marketing @ NWPCA 2017 Annual Leadership Conference INDUSTRY 12 PalletCentral • January-February 2017 palletcentral.com Ken Schmidt