media release

Date: November 13, 2023
Contact: Sara Marquardt, Junior Copywriter and Editor, +913.345.1005 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IAPD - The Performance Plastics Association  Wraps Up Another Successful Annual Convention + connecX

Overland Park, Kans. – IAPD - The Performance Plastics Association, concluded its 67th IAPD Annual Convention + connecX on October 26th, 2023, at the Sheraton Hotel and Marina in San Diego, CA, USA. This event welcomed delegates from across the world for a week of critical industry conversations about sustainability, upcoming federal legislation/regulations and market trends, as well as supplier meetings, educational content and professional networking.
 
Attendance highlights 
The association welcomed individuals from eight new member companies that joined the association in 2023 and 75 first-time attendees. Overall, the event had a total of 410 attendees, an increase from the 2022 event held in Tampa, FL, USA. 
 
Noteworthy announcements 
Incoming 2023-2024 IAPD Board President Peter DelGado, Curbell Plastics, Inc. outlined the 2024 Three Pillars Strategy and priorities, which takes a renewed focus on sustainability, industry workforce development and federal government relations and advocacy. The new Three Pillars Strategy also paves the way for revised key initiatives and will take a fresh look at the Competencies and Expectations for Distributors and Manufacturers work product, originally developed in 2015. 
 
Delegates of the event were invited to attend two keynote sessions. Dr. Chris DeArmitt, author of The Plastics Paradox, dispelled some common myths about plastics and the environment during the Opening General Session held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. DeArmitt’s message to the industry was thought-provoking and inspired to further study the science and facts when faced with the barrage of anti-plastics messaging, they encounter.
 
At the Closing General Session held on Thursday, October 26, 2023, Former NFL quarterback and author of How to Be a Champion Every Day, Joe Theismann, delivered an inspiring presentation on leadership and attitude. Theismann had spent the evening before his keynote with IAPD members at the IAPD Charitable Foundation fundraising event honoring IAPD Past President Howard J. Natal, he also joined attendees on a morning “Fun Run” prior to the Closing General Session. 
 
“Joe Theismann by far was not only one of the best keynote speakers IAPD has ever had, but he is also one of the best human beings I have ever met,” said IAPD CEO Susan E. Avery, CAE. “He showed up unannounced to our fundraising event the evening before his keynote and spent time hanging out with IAPD members. The next morning, he went on the morning “Fun Run” with them. Additionally, he went to the networking breakfast with 200 members. Then, he got up on stage and from the very first words he spoke, he captured us all. It didn’t matter if you liked football. He had a message for every one of us in the room. At the end, he spent almost 30 minutes answering questions from the audience, and then another hour taking pictures with members, making phone calls to their families or listening to their stories. This is not something we could have asked, negotiated or paid for. It was something he just did. He was simply phenomenal.”
 
The IAPD Board of Directors and Government Relations Committee were joined by two principals of IAPD’s new government relations firm, Ogilvy Government Relations. Conrad “Con” Lass and Gordon Taylor of Ogilvy Government Relations led discussions on the performance plastics industry’s legislative agenda in Washington D.C. The associations new legislative agenda will focus on supporting improved mechanical recycling infrastructure, as well as advanced recycling legislation as an alternative to legislation proposing bans, substitutions or taxes on plastics., 
 
Throughout the convention’s schedule, suppliers and distributors hosted private meetings to cover new product launches, discuss supply chain and logistics issues, share company strategies and outline plans for the upcoming year. The IAPD connecX showcase provided distributors, fabricators, manufacturers, resin manufacturers, equipment and service provider members and nonmembers alike the opportunity to meet at any of the booths on the trade show floor. The connecX show floor was sold out this year.  
 
IAPD Environmental and Women in Plastics Committees, and a team of other volunteers, joined forces with San Diego Coastkeeper for a volunteer beach cleanup along Harbor Island Park. The group collected a total haul of 78 pounds of trash. Additionally, the IAPD Charitable Foundation Howard J. Natal Fundraiser and the “Rep Your Region” putting game at the convention netted a total of $4,920 for the IAPD Charitable Foundation for the benefit of IAPD Charitable Foundation’s Scholarship Program.  
 
The Closing Party was held on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at Coasterra  where delegates enjoyed a live band and bayfront views.  
 
IAPD looks forward to  the 68th Annual IAPD Convention + connecX, October 7-10, 2024, in Louisville, KY, USA.
 

About IAPD

IAPD – The Performance Plastics Association (IAPD), established in 1956, brings together performance plastics distributors, fabricators, manufacturers, manufacturers’ representatives, recyclers, resin manufacturers/distributors and service providers in an environment which encourages a free flow of ideas and information that help members build their businesses. Every program and service we provide is designed with the simple goal of helping our members increase profitability. IAPD provides training, connections with customers and suppliers and information about developments that impact the industry.

For more information, visit www.iapd.org.