Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Plastics & the Environment – The Shocking Truth

Presented by Chris DeArmitt

Wednesday, October 25, 2023 (During the Opening General Session)

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Plastics have been under attack for several years. We hear new stories and accusations every day, but how can we be sure whether they are true? We need sound information in order to make wise choices. Chris DeArmitt read 3000 scientific articles and life cycle analyses to fact-check what we have all been told. It is probably the only independent review of all the interrelated topics spanning material use, waste, litter, ocean plastics, degradation, microplastics, potential effects on marine wildlife and more. So, do we eat a credit card’s worth of microplastics per week? Science says no. Will there be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050? Again, science says no. It turns out that almost everything we have been told is disproven by peer-reviewed science. In this talk, you will find out the facts, who misled us and why.

About Chris DeArmitt

Dr. Chris DeArmitt is a luminary in the fields of polymers, functional fillers, innovation and the environmental aspects of plastics. The Fortune 100 come to him for breakthrough solutions to complex technical problems.

He is an award-winning speaker with innumerable publications and patents in addition to the books Innovation Abyss and The Plastics Paradox. The Plastics Paradox is the first book to present the science which dispels the myths about plastics and the environment. Media appearances include CBS 60 Minutes, BBC and Sky News.

Dr. DeArmitt is Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Chartered Chemist.
 


Keynote Presentation 2

Presented by Joe Theismann

Thursday, October 26, 2023 (During the Closing Session)

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About Joe Theismann

Joe Theismann is an entrepreneur and the former star quarterback for the Washington Redskins. Most recently, he spent the last two decades working for ESPN and the NFL Network as an NFL analyst.

Theismann graduated in 1971 from the University of Notre Dame, where he received All-American honors in both Football and Academics. That same year, he was runner up to Jim Plunket for the Heisman Trophy balloting. Joe chose to begin his career with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League after being drafted by the Miami Dolphins and Major League Baseball’s Minnesota Twins.

A 12-year NFL veteran, Joe played in 163 consecutive games from 1974-1985 for the Washington Redskins and holds Redskin records for passing yardage (25,206), completions (2,044) and attempts (3,602). He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and Pro Bowl MVP and lead the Washington Redskins to a 27-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII.

Theismann was selected as the NFL’s Man of the Year in 1982 for his community service and dedication to the health and welfare of children. In 1983, he won the league’s Most Valuable Player Award, leading the Redskins to a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance. Theismann’s career ended abruptly in 1985 after sustaining a badly broken leg during a Monday Night Football game against the New York Giants on national television. In 2003, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and in 2013 received the Walter Camp Football Foundation “Distinguished American” Award.

With every chapter of his life, Theismann evolved from athlete to the ultimate businessman. An Emmy award winning analyst, entrepreneur and athlete, he utilizes his gifts, talent and high energy to share his strategies for handling unforeseen change.

Theismann’s book How to be a Champion Everyday was released in June of 2020.
 

 

Education Session Speakers 

One Team, Many Voices: How to Build a Culture of Understanding Across Generations

Presented by Isaac Wambua

Hosted by Women in Plastics

Tuesday, October 24, 2023  •  3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

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In today's rapidly evolving workplace, it's crucial to bridge the gap between different generations and foster an inclusive culture of understanding. 

By fostering open communication, empathy and respect between different age groups, we create a tapestry of wisdom and experience that transcends time. Embracing the unique perspectives of each generation enables us to learn from the past, live in the present and envision a brighter future. 

Join Isaac as he speaks on:
  • Impact of Generational Diversity in the Workplace
  • Benefits of Embracing Generational Diversity
  • Challenges in a Multi-Generational Workforce
  • Effective Communication Strategies Across Generations
  • How to Overcome Generational Bias

About Isaac Wambua

Isaac Wambua is the founder and president of Dynamo Methods, a leadership coaching and management training business. He is a professional speaker, trainer and author of a newly-published bestseller called Now that I’m a Manager, WHAT DO I DO NEXT?  Wambua specializes in working with leaders at every level to improve organizational efficiency, communication and employee engagement. His purpose is inspiring and empowering people to step into their greatness by discovering and using their God-given potential.

His life is a true testament to the power of persistence, perseverance, tenacity and self-leadership. Wambua’s passion for personal development and coaching began at an early age, growing up in one of the most remote and resource-deprived villages in Kenya. He had always dreamt of one day leaving the village, receiving an education and getting a job so he could help his mother, who was raising seven kids single-handedly. After working as an engineer for eight years, he decided to venture into the world of business coaching, speaking and training to inspire leaders and professionals to conquer their fears and step into greatness.

Advancing IAPD’s Legislative Agenda In Washington, D.C.

Presented by Ogilvy Government Relations – Gordon Taylor and Conrad Lass

Thursday, October 26, 2023  •  12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

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With a split government in D.C. this past year, the performance plastics industry has not had to fight off threatening legislation as we had in recent past years. This has given IAPD and its new government relations firm, Ogilvy Government Relations, an opportunity to set up introductory meetings with new key policymakers and footprint Member offices in both the House and Senate to introduce and build upon IAPD’s Hill relationships and educate those offices about performance plastics. Ogilvy GR will present IAPD’s legislative agenda and strategy during this session as well as provide an outlook into what’s ahead in the coming election cycle.

About Gordon Taylor and Conrad Lass – Ogilvy Government Relations

Gordon Taylor brings more than 25 years of Capitol Hill and government affairs experience to Ogilvy Government Relations. For the past fifteen years, he has represented an impressive list of domestic and international companies and trade associations before the legislative and executive branches of government. Prior to joining Ogilvy Government Relations, Gordon held senior Congressional staff positions that covered the political spectrum. He served as the chief of staff for a centrist Democratic Member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee where he worked on a range of policy issues including energy, health care, and telecommunications
 
Con Lass brings 30 years of private and public sector experience to the team at Ogilvy Government Relations. Since Con first stepped foot in the Capitol, he has built a far-reaching network of relationships that he utilizes to the benefit of Ogilvy’s clients even in increasingly polarized political environments. Con is regularly called upon by Fortune 500 companies, coalitions, and influential trade associations to provide strategic counsel and political strategy on important legislative matters including energy, environment, trade, defense, and transportation issues