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JUNE 17-20, 2024
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Conference Schedule

Monday, July 17

WIPES Academy

WIPES Academy

8:00 am - 6:00 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

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Imperial Foyer
265 Peachtree Center Avenue
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Tuesday, July 18

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 - 9:05 am

Moderator: Tony Fragnito, President, INDA

Industry Thought Leaders: Priorities & Predictions

9:05 am - 10:05 am

Moderator: Chris Astley, Principal, Astley Consulting

Inflation, supply chain and capacity/demand balance remain top concerns for wipe producers in 2023. As business leaders drive both structural and financial responses to these issues many are also looking to seize opportunities for differentiation. Join our panel discussion with nonwoven executives to discuss this changing landscape and implications for our industry. Topics will include subjects as diverse as inflationary impacts across the organization, surging wages, re-shoring as well as domestic and international drivers to supply/demand balance.

Industry Thought Leaders: Priorities & Predictions
Steve Gallo, CEO, Diamond Wipes International, Inc.
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Markus Mueller, Vice President Sales & Marketing Reifenhauser Group and Sales Director Reicofil, Reifenhauser Reicofil GmbH & Co. KG
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RJ Rudolph, Group Director - CMS-RT, Rockline Industries
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Jodi Russell, Vice President R&D, Cleaning Innovation, Packaging & Sustainability, The Clorox Company
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Robert Weilminster, EVP & General Manager - US & Canada - HHS, Berry Global
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Networking

Coffee & Networking Break
10:05 am - 10:30 am

Plastic Policy: Closing the Intention-Action Gap

10:30 am - 12:00 pm

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

Trends for the Plastics Industry - From Regulation to Reputation
Matt Seaholm, CEO, Plastics Industry Association
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EU Green Deal: The Next Wave of Legislation Beyond SUPD
Murat Dogru, General Manager, EDANA
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Lunch Around

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Take advantage of this extra networking opportunity to enhance your conference experience over lunch at one of Atlanta’s amazing downtown restaurants. Expand your network and get to know your fellow attendees over the lunch break. Lunch Around opportunities will be available on Tuesday, July 18 and Wednesday, July 19. Space is limited; please register in advance. Details regarding your table will be available onsite at registration. $50/person. Space is limited.

Lunch

Lunch (On Your Own)
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Networking

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

The Road to Rome - Sustainable Manufacturing Practices

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Moderator: Jay Roth, Director of Sales, Elsner Engineering Works, Inc.

Sustainable Innovation & Manufacturing: The Impacts of Reducing our CO2 Footprint While Targeting CO2 Neutrality by 2035
Eva Welsh, Evolon Market Manager - North America, Freudenberg Performance Materials
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Sustainable Technologies for Sustainable Products
Thomas Weigert, Senior Expert Technology Spunlace & Drying, Truetzschler Nonwoven GmbH
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The Nonwoven Wipes Supply Chain Response to “Plastics Free”
Phil Mango, President, Philip Mango Consulting
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Networking

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

2023 World of Wipes Innovation Award(R) 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: Thomas Carlyle, Nonwovens Commercial Manager-Americas, Lenzing Fibers Inc.

Nonwoven Wipe Using Biotransformation Technology
George Joncas, VP Sales - Americas, FiberVisions Corporation (An Indorama Ventures Company)
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Windup
Robert Giammanco, CEO, 2XL Corporation
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The Yowel™ System
Ken Krengel, President, Yowel LLC
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INDA Lifetime Service Award

4:30 pm - 4:40 pm

Moderator: Tony Fragnito, President, INDA

The INDA Lifetime Service Award is given to individuals who have a long-established record of service to INDA, specifically, and the Nonwovens Industry as a whole. Recipients of this award have maintained an active partnership with INDA. This individual would have held a key role in planning and executing the long-term success of at least one of INDA's major events or services. This person is an avid supporter and spokesperson for the nonwovens industry. In summary, the Lifetime Service Award is given to the individual who has given his or her best both personally and professionally to the service of INDA and the Industry.

INDA Lifetime Service Award Recipient
Jan O'Regan, Principal, O'Regan Consulting
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INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award

4:40 pm - 4:50 pm

Moderator: Tony Fragnito, President, INDA

The INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award will recognize an individual whose technical achievements, over a career of 20 years or more, have meaningfully contributed to the growth of the nonwovens industry. This technical professional will have a long history of innovation, INDA involvement, and/or commercial success.

INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award Recipient
Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University - TIEHH
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Lightning Talks

4:50 pm - 5:20 pm

Moderator: Matt Schiering, Professor of Marketing, Dominican University

Whatever your role within the wipes industry, then the WOW Lightning Talks are your opportunity to connect with a wide range of industry professionals. Lightning talks are “supersized elevator speeches” covering new trends, products and ideas in rapid-fire succession with speakers rotating every five minutes. Five minutes – that’s it. WOW Lightning Talks are a limited-space, first-come, first-reserved added opportunity for tabletop exhibitors to present their latest innovations just ahead of the networking reception. To reserve one of these 5-minute timeslots on either Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, please contact Joe Tessari at jtessari@inda.org or 919-459-3729.

All-New Complete Packaging Solutions for Jumbo Wipes in Pails and Bags/Stand-up Pouches
Shai Shemesh, President, Shemesh Automation Ltd.
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Stein Fibers, Ltd.
Jaren Edwards, President, Stein Fibers, Ltd.
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Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Courtney Baumer, Innovation & Marketing Manager, Kimberly-Clark Corporation
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Kimberly-Clark Professional
Kara Rutland, Marketing Manager, Partnership Products, Kimberly-Clark Professional
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Sceptre Medical India Pvt. Ltd.
Siddharth Manocha, Director, Sceptre Medical India Pvt. Ltd.
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Elixrr Industries Private Limited
Arvind Rao, Global Head Sales & Marketing, Elixrr Industries Private Limited
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Bringabouts™
Michelle Duchnowski, Psy.D., Founder & CEO, Bringabouts(TM)
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Tabletop & Reception

Tabletop Displays and Reception
5:20 pm - 7:20 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 19

Networking

Breakfast Connections
8:30 am - 9:00 am

Consumers: What Are the Little Rascals Up to Now?

9:00 am - 10:45 am

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

Give the People What They Want! A Road Trip Through the Consumer Mindset on Plastics, Packaging, Recycling, and What They Expect from the Brands They Buy From
Suzanne Shelton, President & CEO, Shelton Group
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Wipe Industry Statistics
Richard Knowlson, Principal, RPK Consulting
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Closeness to the Consumer – Goodwipes to Uranus: To Boldly Go Where No Toilet Paper Company Has Gone Before
Sam Nebel, Co-Founder, Goodwipes
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Networking

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

Wipes: Whats New & Improved!

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Moderator: DeeAnn Nelson, Ph.D., NA - R&D and Innovation Manager, Avgol Nonwovens

A Holistic Approach Towards Wet Wipes Preservation
Noa Ziklo, Ph.D., Global R&D Program Manager - Innovation Group, Sharon Personal Care
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An Innovative Approach to Sustainable, Hygienic Diaper Ointment Application & Packaging
Michelle Duchnowski, Psy.D., Founder & CEO, Bringabouts(TM)
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Lunch Around

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

See description and registration information on Tuesday’s schedule.

Lunch

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Networking

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

Transparency in the Supply Chain - Everyones Challenge

2:00 pm - 3:15 pm

Moderator: Jonathan Layer, Director of Commercial Business Development and Marketing, Fibertex Nonwovens

Consumers are becoming more concerned about workers’ rights and the materials that go into consumer products. The need for a transparent supply chain has reached critical mass. A company’s supply chain practices face scrutiny from almost every angle – workers’ rights, product safety and integrity, and environmental responsibility. Very few organizations have the needed systems in place to monitor their supplier network. Join our panelists as they frame the issue. Discover the steps and tools that can be used to protect your company from the legal, financial and reputational risk created by having information gaps in your supply chain. Audience Q&A will be held after a short break.

Why Companies Should Be Managing Their Supply Chain & the Risks of Not Having a Resilient Plan In Place
Chuck Rogers, Americas Director, Technical Consulting & Supply Chain Solutions, Bureau Veritas
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Traceability - Documentation, Testing Technologies & New Regulations. Providing Education and Support to the Global Supply Chain
Vikki Martin, Vice-President, Fiber Competition, Cotton Incorporated
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How the Trust Protocol Uses Data to Make Claims - Can Nonwoven Manufactures Create and Follow a Similar Path to Avoid Confusion?
Deepika Mishra, Ph.D., Consultant, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
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Certified Traceability Systems - Their Value & the Security Offered When Making Sustainability Claims
Matt Kocian, Product Manager Director, Berry Global
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The Potential Consequences of Incomplete or Absent Claims and Compliance Systems
Edward Steiner, Senior Director, International Trade & Government Relations, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
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Networking

Coffee & Networking Break
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm

Transparency in the Supply Chain - Everyones Challenge Q&A

3:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Moderator: Jonathan Layer, Director of Commercial Business Development and Marketing, Fibertex Nonwovens

Networking

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

Lightning Talks

4:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Moderator: Matt Schiering, Professor of Marketing, Dominican University

See description and reservation information on Tuesday’s schedule.

RISE 2023
Robert Green, Vice President of Performance Polymers , NatureWorks
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Kansan Machinery Company
Anil Kirhalli, Director of Sales, Kansan Machinery Company
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QComp Technologies
Michael Seager, Segment Manager, QComp Technologies
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U.S. Pacific Procurement Company
Sabrina Wong, President, U.S. Pacific Procurement Company
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CJD Innovations LLC
Chris Danis, M.D., President/Owner, CJD Innovations LLC
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TBA
Dario Vallone, Inventor, TBA
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Tabletop & Reception

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

Thursday, July 20

Networking

Breakfast Connections
8:30 am - 9:00 am

Flushability: Regulation, Innovation, Standards & Education

9:00 am - 11:00 am

Moderator: Marc Morin, Principal Technical Manager, Rockline Industries

Improving Product Attributes of Flushable Wipes / MTT Using Fibre innovation for Better Consumer Experience
Rahul Bansal, Assistant Vice President- Global Sales & Marketing - Nonwovens, Birla Cellulose
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Flushability In A Nutshell
Kyra Dorsey, Ph.D., Principal, Glory Group LLC
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Flushability Briefs - Consumer Education
Lara Wyss, President, Responsible Flushing Alliance
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Flushability Briefs - Legislative Efforts
Wes Fisher, Director of Government Relations, INDA
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Flushability Briefs - Standards Development
Matt O'Sickey, Ph.D., Director of Education & Technical Affairs, INDA
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2023 World of Wipes Innovation Award(R) Announcement

11:00 am - 11:15 am

Moderator: Tony Fragnito, President, INDA

WOW Pre-Conference Webinars: Top Global Consumer Trends and Their Implications in the Wipes Sector

11:15 am - 11:30 am

Radical lifestyle shifts shaped by recent macro turmoil has transformed the consumer landscape. Despite the pressure, consumers have proven to be resilient and adaptive to adversity by relinquishing control and embracing the uncertainty with more intentional, mindful and ambitious buying decisions. Identifying and understanding changes in consumers’ value, behaviors and motivations helps businesses to be more agile and sustain commercial relevance in an ever-evolving and challenged industry landscape. This presentation will examine: The key global consumer trends which resonate most and have the biggest implications on disposable consumer wipes Key business actions to help navigate successful innovation and growth strategies that bring value for both customers and business

Top Global Consumer Trends and Their Implications in the Wipes Sector
Liying Qian, Global Industry Manager – Tissue and Hygiene, Euromonitor International
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WOW Pre-Conference Webinar: Maintaining Value in Your Business During the M&A Process

11:30 am - 11:45 am

Company leaders making the decision to sell their business often forget to manage the business for growth during the process. Too often they are concerned about retaining their company’s value while growth is pushed aside. By using a competitive sell-side process during the M&A transaction, a company has the best chance to keep – and improve – its valuation until the papers are signed. Join Len LaPorta, Managing Director – Investment Banking, Wiley Bros, as he reviews the M&A industry to learn how a potential bidder looks at your management team’s performance and the impact on valuation. Follow Len as he reviews several M&A case studies to create templates to help you create new operational performance to improve value. Gain a better understanding of the M&A process and the value a robust side-sell partner can provide. Learn strategies to: Engage the entire management team in the M&A process to increase the valuation View a current operational challenge and creating framework to increase the valuation Look at the forward new business “visibility” and increase the valuation This complimentary webinar is designed for CEOs, CFOs, Business Development, Marketing, Legal and Logistics professionals.

Maintaining Value in Your Business During the M&A Process
Len LaPorta, Managing Director, Wiles Bros. - Aintree Capital LLC
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