Conference Highlights

Color & Design Trends: De-Mystifying Future Forecasts
Leatrice “Lee” Eiseman, The Color Expert
March 4, 4:30 p.m., Las Vegas Convention Center

Lee Eiseman returns by very popular demand. Are color and design trends on fast-forward mode, changing more rapidly than ever before? Or is the need to de-construct and re-construct, as well as a more volatile economy actually slowing down and prolonging the life of a trend? For the answers to these important questions, join our resident color expert, Lee Eiseman as she explains and illustrates the divergent influences that will impact retail packaging in 2009 and beyond. Lee Eiseman knows color and trends. She is the author of six books on color, among them: Colors For Your Every Mood, Pantone Guide to Communicating With Color, Color Answer Book, and her most recent book, More Alive With Color. Lee was named in the group of 50 top style makers two years in a row (#17 the first year moving up to #13 this year) by Home Furnishings Now, the leading home furnishings trade publication. Recently Fortune Magazine featured her as one of the top decision makers. She conducts many color seminars and is widely quoted in publications such as Elle Decor, Home Magazine, House and Garden, Harper's Bazaar, Allure, WWD, Glamour, Vogue, People Magazine, Self, US Magazine, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today and Ad Age. Lee has made numerous appearances on CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, HGTV, Discovery Channel and the FOX network in the U.S. as well as abroad and has been interviewed by radio stations worldwide.

Sustainable Packaging Choices Can Sustain The Life of Your Business
John Bernardo, Sustainable Innovations LLC
Sustainable Packaging Coalition
March 5, 10:30 a.m., Las Vegas Convention Center

The RPA is pleased to have John Bernardo, Principal, Sustainable Innovations LLC and a nationally known authority from the Sustainable Packaging Coalition at the 20^th annual RPA trade show. His seminar is designed for RPA member companies who wish to incorporate sustainable packaging practices and products in their business growth model. Alternative packaging products provide value to the customer and can, when positioned correctly, have a positive impact on a company’s bottom line. John’s presentation will provide a detailed explanation of sustainability and address the external pressures of sustainability on retail packaging companies as well as how to channel those pressures into new business opportunities. John will emphasize the current role of retail packaging in the sustainability movement, offer a precise definition of sustainable packaging, its benefits and eco-labeling of retail packaging (How to Avoid Greenwashing).

John Bernardo has 15+ years experience in providing pollution prevention, energy conservation, recycling and sustainable operations assistance to large and small businesses. He was instrumental in many of the packaging initiatives launched by Albertsons Food and Drug to enhance container recycling and resource conservation. He is currently assisting the Sustainable Packaging Coalition on several packaging initiatives and is an invited Juror for the DuPont Innovative Packaging Awards. Retail Packaging

Retail Packaging Manufacturing 101 Seminar Series
For New Retail Packaging Sales Reps
March 4 & 5, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., Las Vegas Convention Center

This seminar program is specifically designed for the new sales representatives in retail packaging. Our 101 series is a “basic sales training” program to provide RPA member companies and their novice salespeople with a brief, yet comprehensive overview of common manufacturing processes and product applications. These include: non-woven bags, paper shoppers, tissue, labels & tags, gift wrap, plastic bags and boxes. Our presenters are highly experienced manufacturers of the products you supply to the end-user. Understand how these products are constructed, how they perform as well as their preferred and alternatives uses. Armed with this basic educational foundation, new sales reps in your organization can feel confident in their ability to make appropriate recommendations for any client’s packaging needs. Have your sales force divide and conquer or choose the categories most relevant to your business.

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Non-Woven Presented by Bulldog Packaging
Paper Shoppers Presented by Bonita Pioneer
Tissue Presented by Seaman Garlock
Tags & Labels Presented by American Label Group
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Gift Wrap Presented by Shamrock Gift Wrap
Plastic Bags Presented by Command Packaging
Boxes Presented by BOXit Corporation