AIMCAL Management Meeting 2012
March 11–14 | Rio Mar Beach Resort | Puerto Rico
Four days of industry presentations and business networking opportunities!
The annual AIMCAL Management Meeting is a members only meeting that brings together top professionals in the industry for four days of informative presentations and valuable business networking opportunities. The meeting combines strong industry programming with a relaxed, informal atmosphere for renewing old relationships and making new ones.
Register Online View the full agenda
Highlights
- Engaging Presentations - By experts in Business and Economics.
- AIMCAL Awards Banquet - Recognizing the best products and technologies in the Industry.
- Networking Opportunities - Designated meals and receptions included in registration fee.
- Expert Participants - Opportunities to speak with some of the top technical professionals in the Industry on your particular areas of interest.
- Optional Events - Including a Scramble Golf Tournament and other events designed for networking and fun.
- Spouse Program - Including tours, shopping, spas, and other outings.
- Beautiful Location - Experience the beauty of Puerto Rico.
Keynote Address
In God We Trust: Everyone Else Pays Cash
Political, Economic, and Other Major Trends That Will Affect Your Business in 2012 and Beyond
We're looking at a volatile year ahead of us. 2012 will bring big changes in our government, our economy and the technologies we use to run our companies. What decisions should you be making now that will lead to profits and increased value in the future?
Join Gene Marks as he explains the meaning behind today's numbers, the trends in Washington, the new technologies coming on the market, and where he expects tomorrow's opportunities for smart executives lie.
Gene Marks is a columnist, author, and small business owner. His weekly columns and blogs for The New York Times, Forbes, Huffington Post, and The American City Business Journal are read by thousands of small and medium sized business owners around the country. He has written five books on business management and is a frequent guest on national television and radio programs.
Roll-to-roll Market Overviews
Market Overview: Vacuum Coated Films and Papers
In this presentation, Dr. William Llewellyn (moderator for Market Updates) will provide a worldwide assessment of the market for metallized and vacuum coated papers and films, including market sizing, growth rates, geographic and substrate segmentation, and application trends. Trends and developments, including opportunities and threats facing the sector will also be addressed.
William Llewellyn is Vice President/Senior Consultant for AWA Alexander Watson Associates, Amsterdam. Dr. Llewellyn has worked for almost 40 years in the packaging, labeling, and coating industries in a variety of commercial, technical, and manufacturing positions specializing in vacuum coating processes serving the labeling and packaging sectors. He is the author of many multi and private client market studies identifying commercial and technical data and describing market dynamics, opportunities, and competitive influences. He has organized and chaired AWA Conferences and Seminars focused on the label, coating, and packaging industries in addition to presenting technical and commercial papers at international conferences and is author of published technical papers. In addition, Bill has provided technical, commercial and manufacturing consultancy services to South African, European, and Asian companies involved in vacuum coating and metallizing.
The Current State and Future Outlook for the Global Flexible Packaging Market
Paul Gaster will discuss research results from several areas of the global flexible packaging market, including the shifting balance of production and demand from Europe and North America in favor of the Asia Pacific region; growth in other global regions; consolidation in the global converting industry; and flexible packaging solutions to environmental and legislative challenges. (via live video feed)
Paul Gaster has more than 35 years of experience in the packaging industry in marketing services and corporate planning roles. In 2000 he joined PCI Films Consulting Ltd to head up the company's consulting services to the flexible packaging sector. He co-edits PCI's European Flexible Packaging and World Flexible Packaging Trends quarterly reports and has authored many flexible packaging multi-client studies, including the company's annual survey of the European Flexible Packaging Market.
Current and Future Roll-to-roll Manufacturing and Markets for All Types of Labeling
Dr. Michael Fairley will discuss recent changes taking place in the label industry as it becomes more global, grows most rapidly in the emerging markets, looks to more sustainable solutions and is facing materials cost increases. His research shows that buyers are moving to shorter runs and more just-in-time sourcing, in turn leading converters to invest in digital printing and new, faster presses and technology. Self-adhesive labels and shrink sleeve solutions continue to grow worldwide, along with new ideas and applications. (via live video feed)
Michael Fairley has spent more than 35 years writing and talking about labels, packaging, printing, documents and forms. Dr. Fairley was the founder and managing editor of Labels & Labeling magazine, Product & Image Security, Docuforms and Package Print and Design magazines and was also instrumental in the development of Labelexpo. He is the author or co-author of five international Encyclopedias on label and packaging technology. As Director of Strategic Development for the Labels and Packaging Group of Tarsus Exhibitions and Publishing he has written and researched regular 'Label Converting in…..' survey reports on global markets and contributes syndicate articles to label related magazines worldwide. Over the past 25 years he has acted on a consultancy basis for many major corporations and investment banks. He is a Fellow of both the Institute of Packaging and the Institute of Printing, and was awarded the Global Label Industry Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.
Global Markets for Solar Products
In this presentation Paula Mints will provide context for the current industry correction covering: incentives, pricing, application shifts and business models from 1995 through 2011, with a forecast to 2015. (via live video feed)
Paula Mints is the Principal Analyst for the Solar Market Research Program, and a Director in Navigant's Energy Division, located at Navigant Consulting, Inc.'s Palo Alto, CA, office. Ms. Mints also serves as executive editor of the Solar Outlook Bimonthly Newsletter. The Solar Services Market Research program dates to 1974 and is a globally recognized market research practice.
Thin-Film Battery and Ultracapacitor R2R Manufacturing
Anthony Sudano will outline the growth of Lithium Ion batteries and ultracapacitors in consumer electronics as well as large formats for electrified drive vehicles and energy storage. At the heart of all Lithium Ion batteries are a slew of precisely made thin film electrodes and separators using roll-to-roll processes similar to those used in many thin-film converting industries. The presentation will cover the typical R2R processes as well as new processes in the areas of solvent-less Compounding & Extrusion Coating and Vapor Deposition. (via live video feed)
Anthony Sudano is a business executive and licensed Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience in the battery manufacturing industry. Since 2007, Sudano Consulting Inc. has been adding value to battery and energy storage devices companies – both start-ups and multi-nationals – through the development of strategic business plans, applications for government funding, and developing or optimizing manufacturing processes.
Global Consolidation in Flexible Packaging
Utilizing proprietary research over the past decade, Tom Blaige will discuss the impact of global consolidation on the flexible packaging market. With over 50% of the top 50 companies in flexible packaging having merged or sold in the past decade, Blaige will cover valuable strategies to help company owners understand how to survive and thrive in an increasingly competitive market.
Thomas Blaige is Chairman & CEO of Blaige & Company, an international investment banking firm dedicated exclusively to the plastics, packaging and chemicals industries. Blaige has 28 years of transaction experience, and with his team of transaction and operations experts has completed over 150 transactions and visited over 400 plastics, packaging, and chemicals operations in over 40 countries. Blaige & Company's proprietary research department tracks and analyzes over 500 plastics industry M&A transactions annually on a worldwide basis.
Business Presentations
Economic Forecast of the Converting Industry
Robert Fry, senior associate economist for DuPont, will return to provide a look at the economic indicators and forecasts that are shaping our Industry.
DuPont Economist's Office (Robert Fry and Bob Shrouds) has been named among the top forecasters by The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Bloomberg. In November 2005, they won the prestigious Lawrence R. Klein Award for Blue Chip Forecast Accuracy, making DuPont the only three-time winner of this award.
Ready or Not, Here They Come!
Understanding and Motivating the Millennial Generation
For the first time in human history, there are four generations in the workforce. In the very near future, there will be 80 million retiring Baby Boomers and only 72 million Millennials to replace them. This will create an employee vacuum in the workforce, increasing demand and competition for Generation Y employees, and augmenting the challenges of leading a multigenerational workforce.
In this highly thought-provoking and participant-driven program, Dr. Gustavo Grodnitzky, will provide participants with actionable information regarding the identification and implementation of five "Magnet Factors" that attract and retain the best of Gen Y in your workforce. Understanding and managing these factors will ensure success for the participants' businesses.
Gustavo Grodnitzky has a Ph.D. in clinical and school psychology and has an extensive background in interpersonal communications, strategic planning, development of organizational culture, and change management. He has been a consultant for corporations and executives, and worked with management and staff to increase their effectiveness and success at numerous Fortune 500, mid-size, and smaller companies.
Questions that Get Results
How to Motivate Your Team to Outsmart Your Competition and Build Powerful Customer Relationships
Do you have employees who thrive on being the go-to experts? When a customer's technical issue surfaces, they're on it immediately. But getting them to shift from a reactive to a pro-active mindset, they're lost. With resources stretched, it's imperative to get your team to see the bigger picture, take ownership of their actions (or lack of) and become a driving force for value creation in the eyes of your customers.
Join Paul Cherry as he shares with you innovative coaching strategies to motivate your team to take more initiative and embrace accountability, strategically align your organization with your customers, reinforce your company's value so that a customer can't imagine doing business with anyone else, and foster greater internal collaboration and communication
Paul Cherry is President of Performance Based Results, a training company that specializes in how to ask powerful questions to achieve great outcomes. He is the author of Questions That Sell: the Powerful Process for Discovering What Your Customer Really Wants and Questions that Get Results: Innovative Ideas Managers Can Use to Improve their Team's Performance. He's been featured in Investor's Business Daily, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Selling Power, and Inc. Paul teaches sales and leadership strategies at the Manufacturers Resource Center at Lehigh University.
Annual AIMCAL Awards Banquet
Join AIMCAL for the annual presentation of awards for the industry's best Metallized or Vacuum Coated Product, Sustainable Product, and Technology of the Year.
Visit the AIMCAL Awards page to view past winners.
Schedule
Sunday, March 11
Newcomers Reception
Awards Reception
Awards Dinner
Monday, March 12
Networking Breakfast
Business Meeting
Roll-to-Roll Market Overviews
Spouse Activity - Yoga, Refreshments, Meeting with Concierge
Keynote Address - Gene Marks
Monday Evening Dinner and Entertainment
Tuesday, March 13
Networking Breakfast
Industry Presentation - Gustavo R. Grodnitzky
Spouse Activity: Old San Juan Tour and Lunch
Scramble Golf Tournament (River Course)
Optional Activity - Bio Bay Excursion
Wednesday, March 14
Networking Breakfast
Industry Presentation - Paul Cherry
Economic Outlook - Robert Fry
Spouse Activity - Annual Easy Hike with Kay
Optional Activity - Snorkeling trip
Farewell Reception
Register Online View the full agenda
General Meeting Information
Attire
All AIMCAL functions are resort casual. Jackets are welcomed at Sunday night's Award Dinner, but ties are optional. Monday and Wednesday evenings are resort casual.
Registration
The meeting is open to AIMCAL members only. The registration desk will be open on Sunday from 10am to 7pm and will open again on Monday morning at 7:30am. Your registration includes access to all meeting functions including all presentations, receptions, and designated meals. Spouse fees cover all designated meals, and receptions. Registration is required to participate in any aspect of the meeting.
Spouse/Guest and Children
Spouse/Guest
A spouse/guest registration is required for participation in any AIMCAL conference event. A guest is defined as a “significant other” and does not include other employees of the registering company. AIMCAL meetings and events are for the benefit of industry professionals who have paid necessary meeting registration fees. Spouses or guests of registered attendees, over the age of 18, are welcome to attend and participate in AIMCAL events, provided they are registered and required fees are paid. Occasionally, AIMCAL offers optional fee based excursion activities, outside of the meeting registration fees. These activities are the only AIMCAL events a non-registered spouse or guest may participate in, if accompanied by a registered attendee.
Children
AIMCAL recognizes that for many reasons attendees bring families, including children, to the location of an AIMCAL meeting. Due to the nature of the meetings, children are not welcomed to attend AIMCAL meetings and meal functions. AIMCAL will make every effort to provide contact information for those responsible for children's activities at the site of the AIMCAL function. Children's programs, if available, will be the responsibility of the attendee.
Hotel Reservations
Hotel reservations are to be made directly with the resort. Make sure that you reference the AIMCAL meeting in order to receive the negotiated rate. Rooms are limited, so make your reservations early. After the cutoff date, rooms are available at prevailing rates based on space.
Optional Networking Activities
AIMCAL Golf Scramble ($135/person, $55 club rental)
The annual golf scramble will begin at 1pm Tuesday, immediately following the morning session, at the River Course. Golf club rentals are available. If you have not already reserved your place, you must do so now! Space is limited.
Bio Bay Excursion ($89/person)
Embark on a fully guided night trip into one of the most amazing natural phenomenons of the world. You will paddle your double kayak through the mystical mangrove channels, and be introduced to the Pyrodinium Bahamense, a microscopic plankton capable of producing natural light when the water is disturbed. Every paddle stroke will leave behind a glowing swirl of blue light, and fish light up their path like shooting stars in the water. Guests should wear comfortable clothing they would not mind getting dirty or wet. This excursion includes a professional certified tour guide, safety speech, kayaking 101 instruction, double kayaks, paddles, snorkeling gear and life jackets. Limited Availability.,/p>
Snorkeling Trip ($119/person)
Guests will be picked up at the Rio Mar and transported to one of Fajardo’s picturesque Marinas. From there, you will board the catamaran for a relaxing sail to one of the nearby coral reefs. Upon anchoring, guests may choose to snorkel among live reef and hundreds or colorful types of fish, which can be hand fed. Guests may also relax on the pristine beaches and crystal clear waters of the Caribbean. This trip includes snacks, lunch and drinks!
Guest Activities (no additional fees)
Yoga, Refreshments, Meet with Concierge
Join the other guests for a relaxing morning of yoga, outside in the beautiful Marbello Garden. All yoga levels are welcome. After, enjoy a glass of orange juice or mimosa while the concierge answers any questions about the hotel and/or area and offer any additional activities that are available to you during your stay.
Old San Juan Historical Tour and Lunch
Explore beyond the shore the beautiful cobblestone streets and colorful buildings that date back to the 16th and 17th century, when Puerto Rico was under Spanish possession. Guests' will tour El Capitolio and one of the oldest fortification systems which began in 1539 and still stand today. This tiny town offers an abundance of shops, open air cafes, restaurants, tree-shaded plazas, its old beauty and architecture. A professional guide will accompany the group through historical Old San Juan, and there will be time for shopping and lunch with the other guests.
Annual Easy Hike with Kay
Join the other guests for the "Annual Easy Hike with Kay". Guests will meet at 9 AM and the hike will take the group on the beautiful and pristine beaches of Puerto Rico.
Hotel & Transportation Information
Hotel
Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the El Yunque Caribbean National Forest in a lush hideaway on the "Isle of Enchantment". Created to pamper and impress, this Puerto Rico resort has breathtaking ocean views that are rivaled only by classic tropical décor of its 600 guest rooms and 72 superbly appointed suites.
Visit the Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa website >>
Reservations
Room Rate: $239 (plus taxes and fees)
Cutoff Date: Feb 17, 2012
By Phone: Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 800-474-6627. Reference "AIMCAL" for the special room rate.
Online: Visit the hotel's special AIMCAL reservation page.
Make Room Reservations Online
Transportation and Parking
Airport Shuttle
Dragon Fly Adventures - $65/ roundtrip
Must download, complete and fax the Airport Transportation Form back to Dragon Fly Adventures.
Download the Airport Transportation Form >>
Taxi
Taxi from airport to hotel - $80
Car Rental
There is an Enterprise Car Rental desk located in the lobby of the resort. Reservations can be made at www.enterprise.com using the zip code 00745.
Make car rental at www.enterprise.com >>
Driving Directions from airport to hotel
View driving map and directions on hotel website >>
- Upon leaving the airport, stay in the right lane.
- Take the exit marked Carolina (Highway Route #26).
- Stay in a left lane on Highway #26 for approximately two (2) miles.
- Take left exit, heading east, to the city of Carolina, Highway #3.
- Continue straight on Highway #3 for 15 miles.
- Pass the town of Rio Grande and make a left at the traffic light at State Road #968 (in the town of Palmer).
- Resort entrance will be on the right hand side, 3/4 mile from main road.
Hotel Parking
Self-parking - $15 /day
Valet - $20/day