IN THIS SECTION
Conference Program/Sessions
Discover the exciting lineup of the 2023 SPE Thermoforming Conference by exploring our comprehensive conference agenda. From captivating speakers to interactive workshops and technical sessions, our agenda is designed to provide attendees with a rich and diverse learning experience. Gain valuable insights from industry experts, explore emerging trends, and deepen your understanding of thermoforming technologies and processes. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to shape your professional growth and stay at the forefront of the thermoforming industry.
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM EDT
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Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102509:1510:15 000 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
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Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102511:0012:00 000 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM EDT
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Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102513:1514:15 000 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 |
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM EDT
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Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102609:0010:00 000 | THU, OCT 26 | |||
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 |
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
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Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102611:0012:00 000 | THU, OCT 26 | |||
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 |
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM EDT
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Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102613:1514:15 000 | THU, OCT 26 | |||
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM EDT
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Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102508:3009:00 000 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
8:45 AM - 5:00 PM EDT
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Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102508:4517:00 000 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 |
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM EDT
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Liquidation of Assets & Investment into new Equipment Replacement
Discuss the optimal time to sell your older assets and reinvest in the new.
Learn when to maximize machine value by knowing when to sell and upgrade. Session Objectives
Speaker(s): Don Kruschke, President and CEO, Plastics Machinery GroupLocation: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102610:3011:15 000 | THU, OCT 26 | |||
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM EDT
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Where is the door, do you have a plan? How to maximize the value of your business.
Properly planning for the sale and exit of your plastics manufacturing business.
Attendees will learn the potential financial impacts of having a proper plan to sell and exit their business and why they will benefit from the timely preparation and development of such a plan. Session Objectives
Speaker(s): Don Kruschke, President and CEO, Plastics Machinery GroupLocation: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102509:0009:45 000 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
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Positive Plastics Education for Everyone
The SPE Foundation has programs to support our shared goals around the perception of plastics, improving material sustainability, and workforce development. We do this through positive plastics education programming.
Why this is important: The world needs hopeful and innovative young people to join the plastics industry creating the changes necessary for a sustainable future. • We change the perception of plastics one classroom at a time. • We engage students with opportunity and learning, giving them the confidence to become scientists and engineers who will join the plastics industry. • We reach students, teachers, leaders, families, and communities. With 26 years of experience in the classroom we understand the methods and curricula that resonate with young people – it’s everchanging. Learn how PlastiVan® is changing in delivery and method, our concentrated outreach through after-school SPE STEM Clubs, mentoring, our SPE Junior Researcher programming, and SPE's Girl Scout Polymer Science patch program. Our expertise can help you meet your goals. Session Benefits: We must continue educating our communities about plastics' value to our modern lifestyle. 1. Get ideas to chart your own path for community outreach. 2. Gain access to expertise in positive plastics education. 3. How a partnership with the SPE Foundation and PlastiVan® supports your company/corporate goals through outreach and education. Session Objectives
Speaker(s): Eve Vitale, Chief Executive, SPE FoundationLocation: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102512:1513:00 000 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM EDT
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Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102513:4514:30 000 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM EDT
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True Cost of Thermoforming (Part 1)
It's true that many industries, including thermoforming, often have hidden costs that can significantly impact a company's bottom line. Hidden costs can arise at various stages of the thermoforming process, from concept to production, and they may not always be immediately apparent. Here are some common hidden costs in the thermoforming industry and how they can be addressed: 1. Starting Costs: Market Research: Understanding customer demands and market trends may require investment in research, which can be a hidden cost. Material Selection: The choice of materials can impact costs significantly. Selecting the wrong material or not considering long-term factors can lead to hidden expenses. Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that your thermoforming process aligns with regulations may involve costs for compliance assessments and legal advice. 2. Pre-Production Costs: Tooling and Prototyping: Developing molds and prototypes can be expensive but is crucial for product development. Design Iterations: Iterating designs to achieve the desired outcome can lead to additional design and engineering costs. Testing and Validation: Conducting thorough testing to ensure product quality and safety may involve hidden expenses. 3. Production Costs: Material Waste: As previously mentioned, material waste can be a hidden cost during production if not managed efficiently. Labor Costs: Labor expenses, including wages, benefits, and training, can add up and impact production costs. Energy Consumption: Energy-efficient practices can reduce costs, but high energy consumption can be a hidden expense. 4. Post-Production: Packaging and Shipping: The cost of packaging materials and shipping can sometimes be overlooked but should be carefully considered. Returns and Warranty: Handling returns and honoring warranties can incur unexpected expenses. Inventory Management: Costs associated with storing excess inventory can affect post-production finances. Listening to a diverse panel of thermoformers from different regions can shed light on how these hidden costs are perceived and managed in various parts of the country. They might share insights on cost-saving strategies, innovative practices, or ways to minimize hidden costs throughout the thermoforming process. Such interactive discussions can help companies better understand the challenges and opportunities in their industry and foster a culture of continuous improvement in cost management. Additionally, benchmarking against industry leaders can inspire companies to identify and address hidden costs effectively. An interactive panel discussion with industry-leading thermoforming companies from different regions can be a valuable opportunity to exchange insights and best practices for identifying and managing hidden costs effectively. Sharing experiences and strategies can help companies in the thermoforming industry stay competitive and financially sustainable. Come join the conversation! Speaker(s): Erich Kaintz, VP of Business Development, Say Plastics Bret Joslyn, COO, Joslyn Mfg. Co., Inc. Gordy Murphy, Director of Operations, LINDAR Corp Matthew Murrill, CFO, Profile Plastics, Inc.Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102514:4515:45 000 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT
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True Cost of Thermoforming (Part 2)
It's true that many industries, including thermoforming, often have hidden costs that can significantly impact a company's bottom line. Hidden costs can arise at various stages of the thermoforming process, from concept to production, and they may not always be immediately apparent. Here are some common hidden costs in the thermoforming industry and how they can be addressed: 1. Starting Costs: Market Research: Understanding customer demands and market trends may require investment in research, which can be a hidden cost. Material Selection: The choice of materials can impact costs significantly. Selecting the wrong material or not considering long-term factors can lead to hidden expenses. Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that your thermoforming process aligns with regulations may involve costs for compliance assessments and legal advice. 2. Pre-Production Costs: Tooling and Prototyping: Developing molds and prototypes can be expensive but is crucial for product development. Design Iterations: Iterating designs to achieve the desired outcome can lead to additional design and engineering costs. Testing and Validation: Conducting thorough testing to ensure product quality and safety may involve hidden expenses. 3. Production Costs: Material Waste: As previously mentioned, material waste can be a hidden cost during production if not managed efficiently. Labor Costs: Labor expenses, including wages, benefits, and training, can add up and impact production costs. Energy Consumption: Energy-efficient practices can reduce costs, but high energy consumption can be a hidden expense. 4. Post-Production: Packaging and Shipping: The cost of packaging materials and shipping can sometimes be overlooked but should be carefully considered. Returns and Warranty: Handling returns and honoring warranties can incur unexpected expenses. Inventory Management: Costs associated with storing excess inventory can affect post-production finances. Listening to a diverse panel of thermoformers from different regions can shed light on how these hidden costs are perceived and managed in various parts of the country. They might share insights on cost-saving strategies, innovative practices, or ways to minimize hidden costs throughout the thermoforming process. Such interactive discussions can help companies better understand the challenges and opportunities in their industry and foster a culture of continuous improvement in cost management. Additionally, benchmarking against industry leaders can inspire companies to identify and address hidden costs effectively. An interactive panel discussion with industry-leading thermoforming companies from different regions can be a valuable opportunity to exchange insights and best practices for identifying and managing hidden costs effectively. Sharing experiences and strategies can help companies in the thermoforming industry stay competitive and financially sustainable. Come join the conversation! Speaker(s): Bret Joslyn, COO, Joslyn Mfg. Co., Inc. Gordy Murphy, Director of Operations, LINDAR Corp Erich Kaintz, VP of Business Development, Say Plastics Matthew Murrill, CFO, Profile Plastics, Inc.Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102516:0017:00 000 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 |
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023
8:45 AM - 2:00 PM EDT
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Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102608:4514:00 000 | THU, OCT 26 | |||
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 |
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM EDT
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What’s Next for PET Thermoform Recycling
Embark on an immersive exploration of the PET thermoform recycling revolution! Join us for an exhilarating session that delves deep into the intricate workings of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and PET reclaimer processing, unraveling the secrets of effective material separation. Prepare to be astonished as we uncover captivating data on the profound impact of PET thermoform on end markets, and witness how expert studies are propelling thermoform collection and processing to unprecedented heights. Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to unlock the untapped potential of PET thermoform recycling and revolutionize your approach to sustainability!
Understand the US PET thermoform recovery market, material challenges, and getting real data. Session Objectives
Speaker(s): Katy Ricchi, Consulting Engineer, RRS Zach Muscato, Corporate Sustainability Manager, Plastic Ingenuity Kristina Hansen, President, PFELocation: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102609:3010:15 000 | THU, OCT 26 | |||
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM EDT
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Collaborative Robot Study
The debut of the case study video produced by Universal Robot and sharing the details of the 3-year development journey, including Q&A with the audience.
An alternative to 5-axis CNC router that is cost-effective and easy to program Speaker(s): Juliet Goff, President/CEO, Kal PlasticsLocation: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102511:0011:45 000 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM EDT
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NetSuite for Thermoforming
From the shop floor to the top floor – NetSuite’s manufacturing cloud ERP helps growing manufacturers control, coordinate and manage every aspect of their operations in one place.
Session Objectives
Speaker(s): Peter Bouyounan, Principal Industry Solution Advisor, Oracle NetSuiteLocation: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102510:0010:45 000 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 |
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM EDT
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Changing of the Guard
Culture and Leadership (Transitions of Relationships and Mindsets)
Financial Resources needed (The stuff that is never fun!)
Management of Key Customer/Vendor Relationships
Management – Man, Machine, Process
Tips
Speaker(s): Travis Kieffer, Plastics Unlimited, Inc. Evan James Gilham, President, Productive Plastics Inc.Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102613:4514:45 000 | THU, OCT 26 | |||
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 |
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM EDT
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Thermoforming Hot Trends in Materials
Speaker(s): Samantha Stacy, Technical Director, SIMONA America Group Dan Claes, Product Development Engineer, Simona PMC Owen Dow, Sr. Manager, North American Business, Sekisui-SPI Matt Vandivier, Applications Development Coordinator, Primex Plastics Corporation Dave Murphy, Dir. of Sales, Healthcare/Medical & Packaging, SpartechLocation: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102615:0016:30 000 | THU, OCT 26 | |||
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 |
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023
8:30 AM - 9:15 AM EDT
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Tooling Materials Comparison Study
A review and comparison of 6 different prototype tooling materials.
Session Objectives
Speaker(s): James Alongi, President, MAAC Machinery Darrell Stafford, President/CEO, Catalysis Additive Tooling Ian Munnoch, President, MSA Components, Inc. Matt Vandivier, Applications Development Coordinator, Primex Plastics Corporation Patrick Castro, Vice President, Electro-General Plastics Corp of ColumbusLocation: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Hall B, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102608:3009:15 000 | THU, OCT 26 | |||
Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023 |
Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM EDT
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Location: Salon D, Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower Session Code: SPE - WELC REC
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Location: Salon D, Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower Session Code: SPE - WELC REC
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2023102418:3020:30 000 | TUE, OCT 24 | |||
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EDT
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Thermoforming Awards Dinner
Join us for the annual Thermoforming Awards Dinner on Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Location: Hall A, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland Session Code: SPE TOTY
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Location: Hall A, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland Session Code: SPE TOTY
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2023102519:0020:30 000 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023 |
Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT
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Executive Forum: Sustainability
Understand Sustainability related to the business: what is it, why is it needed, how to go about it, how to measure it?
Session Objectives
Speaker(s): Eric Short, President, Simona PMC Blake Pace, General Manager Reedsburg Sheet Plant, Primex Plastics Corporation Gary Orenstein, VP, Sales & Marketing, Spartech Michael Miler, Senior Business Development Analyst, SEKISUI KYDEX Zach Muscato, Corporate Sustainability Manager, Plastic IngenuityLocation: Room 01, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland Session Code: SPE WS-BUS
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Location: Room 01, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland Session Code: SPE WS-BUS
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2023102413:0017:00 023 | TUE, OCT 24 | |||
Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023 |
Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDT
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Location: Concourse Foyer, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Concourse Foyer, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102407:0017:00 000 | TUE, OCT 24 | |||
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM EDT
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Location: Concourse Foyer, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Concourse Foyer, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102507:3016:00 000 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM EDT
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Location: Concourse Foyer, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Concourse Foyer, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102518:0019:00 000 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
8:30 PM - 11:30 PM EDT
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Location: Concourse Foyer, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Concourse Foyer, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102520:3023:30 000 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 |
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023
7:30 AM - 1:00 PM EDT
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Location: Concourse Foyer, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
Location: Concourse Foyer, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland |
2023102607:3013:00 000 | THU, OCT 26 | |||
Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023 |
Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM EDT
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Thin Gauge Workshop
![]() Speaker(s): Mark Strachan, Vice President Innovations and Technology, Global Thermoforming Technologies Sven Engelmann, Director of Packaging Technology, illigLocation: Room 03, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland Session Code: SPE WS - THIN
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Location: Room 03, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland Session Code: SPE WS - THIN
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2023102408:0013:00 022 | TUE, OCT 24 | |||
Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023 |
Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDT
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Location: Room 04, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland Session Code: SPE WS - HEAVY
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Location: Room 04, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland Session Code: SPE WS - HEAVY
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2023102408:0017:00 021 | TUE, OCT 24 | |||
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 |
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM EDT
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Heavy Gauge Interactive Workshop
SOLD OUT
On-Site Training on October 25th from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Plastics Machinery Group facility. Additional Fee. Open to the first 25 paid registrants.
The bus will leave from the Marriott at 8:00 a.m. to go to the PMG facility. ![]() Speaker(s): Robert Browning, McConnell Group Don Hylton, The McConnell CompanyLocation: Plastics Machinery Group (PMG) Facility |
Location: Plastics Machinery Group (PMG) Facility |
2023102508:0013:00 025 | WED, OCT 25 | |||
Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023 |
Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT
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Thin Gauge Interactive Workshop
SOLD OUT
On-Site Training on October 24th from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Plastics Machinery Group facility. Additional fee. Open to the first 50 paid registrants.
The bus will leave from the Convention Center at 12:15 p.m. to go to the PMG facility. ![]() Speaker(s): Mark Strachan, Vice President Innovations and Technology, Global Thermoforming Technologies Sven Engelmann, Director of Packaging Technology, illigLocation: Plastics Machinery Group (PMG) Facility |
Location: Plastics Machinery Group (PMG) Facility |
2023102413:0017:00 024 | TUE, OCT 24 |