WELCOME TO THE CPA QUARTERLY REPORT NEWSLETTER
The Contract Packaging Association's electronic Quarterly Report Newsletter is designed to keep all members of CPA informed about association growth, activities, events and initiatives.
This newsletter is intended to be both informative and entertaining, while increasing dialog and involvement with the association.
Associate Members are encouraged to submit product information or news specific to contract packaging.
Submit electronic files only - PDF format preferred.
Click here for Supplier News.
Please send suitable material to Stan Zelesnik, Executive Director at szelesnik@contractpackaging.org.
2009 ANNUAL MEETING AN UNQUALIFIED SUCESS IN DIFFICULT ECONOMIC PERIOD
When business travel was restricted and many meetings were being cancelled with significant penalties incurred, CPA went ahead with its plans to meet outside of Braselton, Georgia at Chateau Élan Winery & Resort. The dates were March 20-23, 2009, an "iffy" time at this latitude for any event with a meaningful outdoor component. The day before the meeting began, the weather cleared and warmed to respectable day-time high temperatures between 67 and 73 degree F. All outdoor events were held in reasonable comfort. We were lucky.
The venue, food and beverage, business program and both the networking and social / recreational activities received high marks on evaluation forms returned immediately following the event. One new element, tabletop exhibits, did not fare as well in its initial exposure. It is CPA's intention to maximize exposure for the five exhibitors during the coming months as well as make appropriate modifications to assure success of tabletop exhibits in the future. Sincere thanks to sponsors ( CIVision, Eric Greenberg, and Contract Packaging Magazine) and exhibitors ( Bemis Clysar, Nulogy, Packaging Distributors of America, Tripack, and Ampac Flexibles) that allowed the event to make annual meeting budget numbers.
Two awards were presented at the President's Welcome reception on Friday, March 20. The first was presented to John Mazelin (Concept Packaging Group) as outgoing CPA president, for his vision and numerous contributions over a number of years. With John's vision, the association has become the voice and force of contract packaging. The award was presented by incoming president, John Riley (Rapid Air Systems).
A second award, of merit, was presented by John Mazelin to Scott Thomas ( Cryovac - Shanklin) for his ongoing efforts in building CPA membership. Scott and his company also donated golf balls and clubs for the golf tournament on Sunday.
Come to learn, conduct more successful business, network and have a grand time at a phenomenal venue. Best of all is intentional scheduling to keep you away from critical work obligations for as short a period as possible. In on Friday, back home at noon on Monday.
STATE OF THE CONTRACT PACKAGING INDUSTRY REPORT
Never before available information relating to what the business / service of contract packaging is and will be. The color print report is 76 pages in length and includes a CD database of 1,300 plus member and non-member contract packagers from which respondents came. Insight indispensible in refining current business and planning for the future.
Click here for more details and ordering information.
2010 ANNUAL MEETING
Evaluations by attendees also reinforced association effort to hold future meetings in a guaranteed warm / hot location... and further that the days of the week be altered to begin on a Thursday and break at noon on Sunday. This in order to be able to back to work on Monday. It is also considered desirable to look carefully at the third week in February (tentatively February18-21, 2010) so as to avoid holidays, spring breaks, family vacations as well as try to provide a break from the cruelest stretch of winter weather. Will advise venue choice as soon as it is selected. Earliest notification will be on the CPA web site. Updates can be seen at www.contractpackaging.org/annualmeeting.
REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ) RESPONSE MECHANISM GIVEN MORE VISABILITY
You may or may not have noticed the spike in RFQs in the last few days. There have been a dozen so far in the last three work days. Please monitor closely. There is business being let and none of our members want to be caught a day late and a dollar short. This is business!
The Marketing Committee will be following RFQs to determine what happened once submitted. Did our members follow? Did CPA members get the business? What else is needed that may not have been provided?
The Consultants Council of IoPP has been doing something very similar with a great deal of success. There is no reason CPA should not enjoy the same success. It is also a great learning experience for us.
Further, we have learned that a number of RFQs are being caught by spam filters. One reason is the setting mandated by your management that cannot be changed. In order to view the RFQs, the member must know where and how to retrieve them. This is an extra step. We are developing a list of suggestions on how to make best use of the system. At the same time, staff is refining how we are sending the leads to members to assure the most possible get through in a timely manner.
Finally, CPA will be building a discussion forum for members only. It will have a couple of components. One that is certain is the listing of all RFQs sent out traditionally, then simultaneously posted in the discussion forum. This intentional redundancy is being initiated so that no member should ever miss an RFQ - unless it chooses to.
MEMBER BENEFITS IN PLACE
To be in the contract packaging business is to operate at a frenetic pace. Turn on a dime. Recognize opportunity instantly. You can do almost anything, but one little piece of a project. What to do?
In Place: "Materials & Supplies" Miscellaneous materials, containers, machinery of no current use to owner. These still usable products can be sold to another member at a reasonable rate if needed.
"Associate Member" news relating contract packaging will be run in the newsletter then moved to the web site for all visitors to see until the next news letter replaces it.
Coming: A discussion forum will be available very shortly FOR MEMBERS ONLY. It will have more than one component. Each will facilitate communication amongst members. Elements will resemble current RFQs, but amongst members to more quickly secure a project using elements of another member's capabilities.
WHO'S ON FIRST
Or rather, which group of individuals will be looking after CPA member interests beginning with the new fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009. Here is the Board of Directors Slate:
- John Mazelin: Immediate Past President
- John Riley: President
- Sean McKeon: Vice President
- Note: The position of "Treasurer" will be appointed by the Board of Directors from eligible candidates.
- Chris Nutley: Director
- Joe Jaruszewski: Director
- Gerry Donley: Director
- Vic Stalam: Director
- Stan Zelesnik: Executive Director -Secretary
Directors whose term does not expire this year:
- John /Mazelin
- Sean McKeon
- Vic Stalam
- Gerry Donley
All members will be sent an electronic ballot within the next couple of days. You will be asked to vote "for" or "against" three directors up for re-election. Director re-elections are staggered in order to assure appropriate continuity from year to year.
- John Riley
- Chris Nutley
- Joe Jaruszewski
Please vote as soon as possible.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: The following new members have joined CPA since the last newsletter. Welcome to the "club"!
- Hewlett-Packard Company
- White Mountain Imaging
- Subco Foods
- Ruspak Corporation
- The Jay Group
- Delta Logistics & Distribution
Please contact Stan Zelesnik at szelesnik@contractpackaging.org or 630 696- 4008 for any additional information on these new members.
CPA ADVANCEMENTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Please advise of any good piece of news from your company. There are lots and CPA would very much like to put a spotlight on them. Not all submissions will make the cut, but most will. Ours is a healthy packaging service business and that fact needs to be highlighted as often and in as many ways as possible. Again, send to Stan Zelesnik at above phone or e-mail contact.
