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Agenda

Smithers is pleased to present an initial look at the agenda for E-PACK US, taking place in October 2023 in Chicago! 

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Please click on the dates below to see each day's program!

Registration and Exhibit Hall Opens
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Brittany Onslow | Head of Events, Americas, Smithers
Session I: Market Overview – Trends and Current State of the Industry
Keynote Coming Soon!
The Impact of E-Commerce on Packaging: Long-term Forecasts to 2029
Session II: Differences in Design
Boxes and Bags, and Loop, Oh My!
Toto, we’re not just in stores anymore! Join Brent as he skips down the yellow brick road toward the wonderful world of e-commerce packaging. He’ll pull the curtain back and look at recent Amazon practices updates, direct-to-consumer models and the growing trend of reusable packaging. There’s no place like Packaging!
Brent Lindberg | Head of Curiosity & Founder, Fuseneo
Networking Break
Panel: Retailers Discuss Designing for eCommerce
Leading Retailers will discuss how their supply chain and CPGs can support them in complex packaging design challenges. Topics discussed:  
  • To what extent is e-com front and center in your packaging development?
  • How much consideration is given to branding as you are developing your secondary packaging?
  • How can CPGs better support Retailers in this space?
  • Factors in Secondary package material/design selection, specific to e-commerce
  • Minimizing footprint needed for warehouse storage
  • Protective value
  • End consumer/unboxing experience
  • Fulfillment velocity
Moderator: Shelly Nirvelli | Vice President of Business Development, Packaging, DHL Supply Chain

Panelists Coming Soon!
Panel: CPGs Discuss Designing for eCommerce
Leading CPGs will discuss how their supply chain and retailers can support them in complex packaging design challenges. Topics discussed:  
  • To what extent is e-com front and center in your packaging development?
  • How much consideration is given to branding as you are developing your secondary packaging?
  • How can Retailers better support CPGs in this space?
  • Factors in Secondary package material/design selection, specific to e-commerce
  • Minimizing footprint needed for warehouse storage
  • Protective value
  • End consumer/unboxing experience
  • Fulfillment velocity
Panelists Include:
How Fit for Purpose Packaging Creates Sustainable E-Commerce Solutions
The concept of fit for purpose packaging is crucial in the e-commerce space. The outer box should be strong and durable, so it can withstand turbulent transportation while protecting the products inside. Corrugated packaging made from recycled fiber is a practical, sustainable fit for purpose solution to the outer box. The packaging used for the products inside the outer box has a different purpose. That packaging should be made from high quality fibers with excellent printability, so that when the consumer opens the outer box revealing what’s inside, a connection is established. Paperboard packaging made from virgin fiber is a practical, sustainable fit for purpose solution to packaging inside the outer box.
Nate Pajka | Sustainability Manager, Metsӓ Board, Americas
Lunch Break
Session III: Sustainability and Recycling
Panel: Recycling rates – what do we need to know and how can the industry help
Presentation Coming Soon!
Networking Break
Session IV: Reuse, Refill and Retailer Updates
Panel on Reuse – How can we build circularity?
Panelists coming soon!
Panel: E-tailer Rundown
Innovations Through the Supply Chain Power Hour
Optimizing E-commerce Packaging: Exploring innovative technologies and adhesive solutions to address the accelerated growth rate of sustainable e-commerce packaging
In today's fast-paced world, the demand for efficient and sustainable packaging solutions has become paramount. The rapid growth of e-commerce has presented unique challenges for businesses, particularly in terms of packaging optimization and reducing environmental impact.
Join us to gain valuable insights from Robatech and HB Fuller and discover how their cutting-edge solutions can revolutionize your packaging.
Tania Montesi | Global E-Commerce Manager, H.B. Fuller
< Session Description >
Companies will take 10 minutes to pitch novel packaging solutions that can benefit the packaging industry for e-commerce. This session will feature reuse and refill, tapes and adhesives, paper and plastic options, alternative fibers, meal delivery kits and more.
Making sustainable choices effortless
The Rounds is creating a world where commerce is circular and your everyday choices can have a positive impact on the environment. Our system of innovative reusable containers and bags combined with 2-way logistics allows for us to deliver, pick up, clean, and reuse in the most convenient and waste-free way!
Evan Abel | Head of Service Design, The Rounds
Quit Cardboard with LimeLoop's Smart Reusable Packaging
What if I told you you can make your bottom-line more economical, your operations more efficient, and your carbon footprint more environmentally friendly? With reusable packaging, powered by smart technology, you can say goodbye to single-use packaging in your supply chain forever.
Chantal Emmanuel | CTO, Co-Founder, LimeLoop
Presentation Coming Soon!
Making Packaging Circular
Most public discourse around packaging centers on end-of-life issues - landfill diversion, recyclability, compostability, marine plastic pollution, etc.
But true packaging circularity is a much bigger vision. It’s about using as few materials as possible, making packaging out of waste or regenerative source material, designing for reuse, and making packaging readily recyclable. Achieving this vision requires companies to collaborate within and across sectors and to take risks on untested but promising new technology.
During this session, we’ll talk through three packaging circularity innovations fueled by these types of investments and collaboration:
  • Paper packaging made from agricultural waste
  • Black Algae Ink™
  • Reusable mailers for eco-friendlier reverse logistics        

Saloni Doshi | CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, EcoEnclose
Networking Reception
Registration and Exhibit Hall Opens
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Session V: Consumer Behavior – How is packaging influencing consumer behavior?
Presentations Coming Soon!
Session VI: Use of branding – catching the customer eye and promoting your brand
Presentation Coming Soon!
Networking Break
Session VII: Logistics and Supply Chain
Presentation Coming Soon!
Lunch Break
Fireside Chat: How are Retailers Optimizing their Supply Chains?
This panel will address fulfillment challenges, supply chain, packaging challenges, optimizing last mile delivery and more.

Panelists Coming Soon!
Session VIII: Circular Economy and Regulatory Updates
Presentations Coming Soon!

 
Session IX: What does e-commerce need to succeed for the consumer and the industry in the future?
< Session Description >
How will package design change to meet consumer demands, trends and innovation with materials? Sustainability and environmental impact will change the way we design and package products – so what does this mean for the e-commerce industry?
Closing Keynote Coming Soon!
Closing Remarks