Hilton Columbus Downtown   |   Columbus, Ohio   |   July 21-24, 2025

Conference Schedule

Monday, July 21

WIPES Academy

WIPES Academy

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Instructor: Heidi Beatty, Chief Executive Officer, Crown Abbey, LLC

From wipes design and production to cost implications and packaging, the two-day WIPES Academy is centered on every facet of the multibillion dollar wipes product and marketing sector­ from raw materials, converting, wet and dry wipes to medical, industrial, and consumer wipes. The course is essential for technical and management professionals interested in learning the research, development, and manufacturing of wipes.

Separate registration fee. Pre-registration is required.
Learn More about WIPES Academy >>

Welcome Reception

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Hilton Columbus Downtown
402 N. High Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Tuesday, July 22

WIPES Academy

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Instructor: Heidi Beatty, Chief Executive Officer, Crown Abbey, LLC
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Networking

Breakfast Connections
8:30 am - 9:00 am

Start your day with a continental breakfast each morning before the conference and engage face-to-face connections with your customers, business prospects and peers. INDA’s staff can help make any introductions you need – just ask us.

Welcome

9:00 am - 9:15 am

Moderator: Tony Fragnito, President, INDA

Panel Discussion: Navigating the Headwinds: U.S. Manufacturing Threats & Challenges in 2025

9:15 am - 10:45 am

Moderator: Steve Gallo, CEO, Diamond Wipes International, Inc.

Join our panelists as we explore the key forces challenging U.S. manufacturing in 2025—from ongoing supply chain disruptions and rising operational costs to the growing impact of inflation. We’ll also dive into the complex role of trade policies and tariffs, which, despite their intent to support domestic industry, have led to increased costs and strategic pullbacks. In addition, we’ll examine mounting regulatory pressures—ranging from environmental compliance to shifting labor and safety standards—that are reshaping operational strategies across the sector. Join us for a candid look at these pressing challenges and how industry leaders are adapting to stay competitive.

Navigating the Headwinds: U.S. Manufacturing Threats & Challenges in 2025
Jaren Edwards, Co-CEO/President, Everra
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Ernesto Levy, Chief Growth Officer, Radienz Living
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Deborah Steinke, Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer, Nice-Pak
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Tobias Baumgaertel, Sales Director - U.S., Sandler Nonwoven Corporation
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Networking

Coffee & Networking Break
10:45 am - 11:00 am

From Forest to Flush: Sustainability and Responsibility in Fiber and Wipes

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Moderator: Kyra Dorsey, Ph.D., Principal, Glory Group LLC

Sustainable Fibers, Sustainable Future: WBCFs in a Changing Market
Thomas Carlyle, Nonwovens Commercial Manager-Americas, Lenzing Fibers Inc.
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Responsible Flushing Alliance: Protecting the Reputation of Wipes
Lara Wyss, President, Responsible Flushing Alliance
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Lunch (On your own)

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Lunch Around with Game Face Grooming

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Moderator: Phil Williams, Founder/CEO, Game Face Grooming

Enhance your conference experience with Lunch Around – a unique networking opportunity held at top Columbus restaurants. Connect with fellow attendees, share insights, and build relationships in a relaxed, small-group setting. Lunch Around takes place on Tuesday, July 22 and Wednesday, July 23. Space is limited, so advance registration is required. Table assignments will be provided onsite at registration. Each lunch is hosted by industry leaders offering unique perspectives on the wipes industry: • Tuesday: Join Phil Williams, Founder & CEO of Game Face Grooming, as he shares his entrepreneurial journey developing sport-focused wipes. • Wednesday: Rose Casanova-Gugliotta, Senior Director of Fragrance Evaluation, and Traci McClung, Director of Fragrance Sales at Bell Flavors & Fragrances, will lead a fragrance-themed discussion on olfactive strategies and innovation in personal and home care. Choose a table that aligns with your interests or professional goals. This is your chance to ask questions, exchange ideas, and grow your network in a more personal, engaging setting. $75 per person.

Phil Williams, Founder/CEO, Game Face Grooming
Phil Williams, Founder/CEO, Game Face Grooming
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Networking

Coffee & Networking Break
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Trends, Tushes & TikToks: The Rise of the Modern Wipe

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Moderator: Eva Welsh, Evolon Market Manager - North America, Freudenberg Performance Materials

From Lab Bench to Retail Shelf: Balancing Consumer Perception and Technical Data to Break into Consumer Brands
Robin Beck, CEO, Mfg2Retail Fractional
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Outlook for Global Consumer Wipes and Opportunities Amid New Consumer Reality
Liying Qian, Global Industry Manager – Tissue and Hygiene, Euromonitor International
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From Flush to Fame: Building a Bold, Cheeky Community Around a Commodity with Flushable Wipes
Meredith Diehn, Director of Marketing, GoodWipes
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Robust Wipes Preservation for the Future
Miquel Ramirez, Product Manager, Chemipol S.A.
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Networking

Coffee & Networking Break
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm

2025 World of Wipes Innovation Award® Presentations

4:00 pm - 4:30 pm

WOW Innovation AwardThe World of Wipes Innovation Award® recognizes and rewards innovation within the entire wipes value chain that utilizes nonwoven fabric/technology in a way that expands the usage of nonwovens.

Moderator: Eva Welsh, Evolon Market Manager - North America, Freudenberg Performance Materials

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WOW Lightning Talks

4:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Moderator: Sean Grossnickle, Government Affairs Specialist, INDA

Tabletop & Reception

Tabletop Displays and Reception
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Get in front of wipe leaders, innovators, and prospective customers from all over the world. You won't just meet potential clients. You'll meet potential collaborators.

A World of Wipes® tabletop display has proven to be one of the most cost effective ways to reach out to hundreds of wipes senior leaders in one place at one time to promote your brand, products, and yourself.

Wednesday, July 23

Networking

Breakfast Connections
8:30 am - 9:00 am

Sniff, Save, Slice: Rethinking Wipes from Fragrance to Finish

9:00 am - 10:30 am

Moderator: Marc Morin, Principal Technical Manager, Rockline Industries

Beyond Clean: How Fragrance is Shaping the Future of Hygiene Products
Rose Casanova-Gugliotta, Sr. Director of Fragrance Evaluation, Bell Flavors & Fragrances
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Traci McClung, Key Accounts Director, Bell Flavors & Fragrances
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Cutting Through the Problem: A Smart Slitting Solution for the Wipes Industry
Andrea Ruggiero, Sales Manager, A.Celli Nonwovens SpA
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No Plastic, No Problem: The Next Generation of Eco-Wise Wipes

10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Moderator: Pavan Maheswaram, Ph.D., Market & Product Development Manager - Fibers, Americhem, Inc.

Unlocking the Future of Plastic-Free Sustainable Nonwovens
Taina Kamppuri, Research Team Leader, VTT Technical Research Center of Finland
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Biodegradability: An Essential Add-on or Alternative to Plastic-free Wipes?
Mahya Wood, Technical Sales Officer, Normec OWS
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Re-generated Cellulose Fibers and Pulp – Latest Developments for Sustainable Wipes
Thomas Weigert, Senior Expert Technology Spunlace & Drying, Truetzschler Nonwoven GmbH
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Lunch (On your own)

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Lunch Around with Bell Flavors & Fragrances

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Moderator: Rose Casanova-Gugliotta, Sr. Director of Fragrance Evaluation, Bell Flavors & Fragrances

See Tuesday’s Lunch Around description for details.

Rose Casanova-Gugliotta, Senior Director of Fragrance Evaluation, Bell Flavors & Fragrances
Rose Casanova-Gugliotta, Sr. Director of Fragrance Evaluation, Bell Flavors & Fragrances
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Traci McClung, Key Accounts Director, Bell Flavors & Fragrances
Traci McClung, Key Accounts Director, Bell Flavors & Fragrances
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Lunchtime Lightning Talks

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Moderator: Sean Grossnickle, Government Affairs Specialist, INDA

See Tuesday description for details and sign-up information.

Swipe Right: The New Faces of Specialty Wipes

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Masks and Patches and Drops – Oh My! Novel Nonwoven Formats for Cosmetic Applications
Laura Frazier, Ph.D., Chief Scientist, TaikiUSA, Inc.
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They Don’t Just Wipe – They Deliver!
Mike Shannon, CSO, Pacon Manufacturing Corp
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Game-Changing Wipes: Crafting the Future of Sports Hygiene
Phil Williams, Founder/CEO, Game Face Grooming
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Networking

Coffee & Networking Break
4:00 pm - 4:30 pm

WOW Lightning Talks

4:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Moderator: Sean Grossnickle, Government Affairs Specialist, INDA

See Tuesday description for details and sign-up information.

Tabletop & Reception

Tabletop Displays and Reception
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Thursday, July 24

Networking

Breakfast Connections
8:30 am - 9:00 am

The Great Regulatory and Tariff Pow-WOW

9:00 am - 10:30 am

Moderator: Matt O'Sickey, Ph.D., Director of Education & Technical Affairs, INDA

Exploring Future Impact of EU Regulations on the Disposable Wipes Market
Heidi van den Hul, Principal, FabriCreation
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Tariffs, Standards, Plastics, and More: Regulatory and Legislative Wipes Industry Update
Wes Fisher, Director of Government Relations, INDA
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Title TBA
David Olave, Associate & Trade Policy Advisor, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
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Panel Discussion: The Great Regulatory and Tariff Pow-WOW

10:30 am - 11:00 am

Moderator: Matt O'Sickey, Ph.D., Director of Education & Technical Affairs, INDA

Panelist
Heidi van den Hul, Principal, FabriCreation
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Wes Fisher, Director of Government Relations, INDA
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Jon Devine, Senior Economist, Cotton Incorporated
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David Olave, Associate & Trade Policy Advisor, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
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2025 World of Wipes Innovation Award® Announcement

11:00 am - 11:15 am

Moderator: Tony Fragnito, President, INDA

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