media release
Date: October 26, 2017
Contact: Courtney Karr, Marketing and Education Manager, +913.345.1005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IAPD Celebrates Performance Plastics at 61st Annual Convention and Plastics Expo
Overland Park, KS —The International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD), the international trade association comprised of companies engaged in the distribution and manufacturer of performance plastics, held its premier annual event October 16-19 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago in downtown Chicago, IL, USA. Full convention and one-day delegates participated in educational sessions from renowned keynote speakers as well as industry experts and connected at exciting networking gatherings.
IAPD’s annual convention delivered its traditional events and activities designed to educate members, performance plastics professionals and other key end-users about plastics while reinforcing the value of distribution. Highlights included educational sessions covering business and performance topics, such as:
A keynote presentation on “Next Level Leadership” presented by dynamic speaker and business performance expert Ryan Estis.
How to “Spy the Lie” by Susan Constantine, a leading consultant on high-profile court cases.
Learning how to recognize, recruit and retain the next generation of leaders, presented by Ryan Avery, the youngest World Champion of Public Speaking in history.
Secret LinkedIn social selling hacks by LinkedIn expert Viveka von Rosen.
Salesforce for Sales Success by Tim Schultz.
How to crush price objections by returning speaker Paul Reilly.
How to add green business practices to your organization by the 2016 winner of the IAPD Environmental Excellence Award.
An insightful look at the business landscape 15 years in the future by industry expert Mark Kramer.
In addition to the numerous learning opportunities, delegates experienced new and creative networking opportunities, from social hours to receptions to morning exercise classes and a non-competitive 5K run/walk.
Part of the opening general session on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 was dedicated to a business session. At that time, the members in attendance voted to approve the slate of candidates for the IAPD Board of Directors. Curbell Plastics, Inc. President Gerry Helbig and Röchling Engineering Plastics President Tim Brown were approved unanimously to serve on the board for 2017-2019. Current board members Mark Courtright of Interstate Plastics and Bill Weaver of Harrington Industrial Plastics LLC were approved for a second two-year term. In addition, outgoing IAPD President Mitch Opalich announced the 2017-2018 IAPD Executive Committee, with terms starting on Friday, October 20, 2017: Rick Gough, IAPD President; Wayne Gono, IAPD Vice President; and Executive Committee Officers Jim Boehm, Deborah Ragsdale and Craig Saunders.
IAPD was pleased to honor Mark Kramer with the prestigious Paul Davis Award of Merit, Angela Rodenburgh with the Pacesetter Award and Suzette Plaisted with the President’s Award, as well as a record-breaking number of companies for excellence in education and training, environmental stewardship and marketing.
The IAPD Plastics Expo on Thursday featured a nearly sold-out trade show floor buzzing with attendees and activities. Delegates were able to get personalized LinkedIn advice from expert Viveka Von Rosen, have professional headshots taken for free, enjoyed pizza and a happy hour.
The convention wrapped up with a lively closing party at the Chicago Sports Museum at Water Tower Place, where attendees played interactive sports-themed games and a DJ kept the party going.
The 62nd Annual IAPD Convention will be held October 1-4, 2018 at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., USA.
About IAPD
The International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD), established in 1956, brings together performance plastics distributors, fabricators, manufacturers, manufacturers’ representatives, recyclers and service providers in an environment which encourages a free flow of ideas and information that help members build their businesses. Every program and service we provide is designed with the simple goal of helping our members increase profitability. Membership in IAPD is an affordable business investment. IAPD provides training, connections with customers and suppliers and information about developments that impact the industry.
This release and more are available in IAPD’s
Press Room.
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