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.
2010 ANNUAL MEETING SET
Following a most successful 2009 meeting at Chateau Élan in Braselton, Georgia, in March, the meeting committee paid close attention to evaluation sheets indicating a desire to locate a venue that would assure warm/hot weather. Attendees also indicated a desire to move the event back one day to begin on Thursday and end at noon on Sunday to allow people to get back home and to work on Monday.
The third strong wish was to investigate moving the dates of the event to peak season – to avoid holidays, spring breaks and family vacations and provide a break from the cruelest stretch of winter weather in much of the country. The third week in February was chosen – February 18-21, 2010. The venue is Naples Grande Beach Resort, The Waldorf Astoria Collection, in Naples Florida. Formerly known as The Registry Resort, CPA has been able to negotiate a most attractive package with minimal financial exposure in peak season. Please visit www.naplesgranderesort.com.
We ask all members to reserve the dates. The significantly lower a la carte package for spouses and guests will continue for the 2010 event. Promotion has begun. Program, social and recreational and networking will be promoted as solidified. Speaker guidelines, including compensation are being formalized.
It has been decided that tabletop exhibits, which was a first effort in Georgia this year, will be continued in 2010 in Naples. It will be opened to both associate members and supplier non members, with non members paying a higher exhibit fee. 75% of the additional fee will be applied to membership if the exhibitor joins the association following the event. Details to follow. Please watch www.contractpackaging.org for details.
2008 – 2009 YEAR-END FINANCIALS FAVORABLE
June 30, 2009 Financial Statement shows a net increase in cash and investments in the bank increased dramatically compared with the same date last year. This is not the case with most not-for-profit associations. Even in this economic climate, your Contract Packaging Association remains vibrant and healthy. The figures even include a modest profit for the annual meeting budgeted to break even. The effort to make it so was considerable by all involved – the board, meeting committee and staff.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As John Mazelin indicates in the “President’s Letter” in the July/August edition of Contract Packaging Magazine, “As Board Leadership Evolves, a Vision is Firmly in Place”. This was John’s final “President’s Letter” as John Riley formally assumed the position of president effective July 1, 2009. Current Board of Directors includes:
- John Riley - President
- John Mazelin - Immediate Past President
- Sean McKeon - Vice President
- Joe Jaruszewski - Treasurer
- Chris Nutley - Director
- Vic Stalam - Director
- Gerry Donley – Director
- Stan Zelesnik – Executive Director
Note: Selected or complete contact information can be provided on request.
COMMITTEE SYSTEM
The many special interests of CPA are served on a daily basis by the committees and the volunteers working on them. They include:
- Management
- Marketing
- Membership
- Meeting
- Education
- Associate Member
Committee initiatives, other activity and the specific members making it happen will be highlighted in this quarterly newsletter, on the CPA website as well as other print and electronic media.
STATE OF THE CONTRACT PACKAGING INDUSTRY REPORT
As more companies in all market segments utilize contract packaging services, this report becomes more important to all, as it provides information that will accelerate understanding and success, whether a user of the service, a provider of the service, a supplier to the user and service provider.
In addition, the insight provided is indispensible as you move forward. Business is being conducted differently today than it was even a few months ago. Put yourself and your company in the best possible position to take advantage of these changes. Since the cost is much less as a member than a non-member, you may also consider membership. Membership (with its many benefits) and the report together place you in a superior competitive position. Please see www.contractpackaging.org/industryreport for additional information or call Michael Greskiewicz, Business Development Manager for CPA. He can be reached at 630 696-4017 or michaelg@contractpackaging.org.
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN CONTRACT PACKAGING ASSOCIATION & LANDON, FARREY & ASSOCIATES
CPA and LF&A entered into an agreement in which CPA will receive management services from LF&A for a period of three years – from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012. In exchange, LF&A will receive compensation according to the terms of the Agreement.
CPA LONG RANGE PLANNING MEETING
A long-range planning meeting has been set for September 29 and 30, 2009 for the purpose of updating long-range plans in place for one, three and five years ahead. The original plan was developed and approved in 2007. Since then, the business of the contract packaging and the Contract Packaging Association have evolved to a point where further discussion and review is appropriate. The meeting will include the entire board of directors, committee chairs, those staff members directly involved with CPA and CPA’s legal counsel. The resulting document will provide goals and objectives the group feels can be reached in each of the three projected time frames. It will provide a measurement against which all activities will be held.
RFQ EXAMINATION HELD
The CPA Marketing Committee, Chaired by Chris Nutley, volunteered to contact those submitting Requests for Quotes that were between 7 and 21 days old. The purpose was to determine the buyer’s view of the association members’ response to specific contract packaging need. The results were encouraging. Virtually all contacted indicated they would recommend use of CPA’s RFQ process for other projects… and nearly all commented that they were both pleased and surprised to have received a follow up to their search. A few have or intend to buy the service from a member company, with a number more are considering use (purchase). Too many of the remainder, however, “never responded to request for information”, so we just don’t know.
This was a first “snapshot”. The exercise will be repeated periodically to gather additional information.
EDUCATION
It is considered a primary obligation of the Contract Packaging Association to provide regular and meaningful educational products for members, to advance their knowledge and ability to be preferred service providers. Two webinars are currently planned to launch the effort, one in the Fall of 2009 and another early in 2010. The model would call for the webinars to be free to CPA members and a nominal fee charged to non-members. Sponsorships would be made available to any involved wanting its company name attached. A package of benefits will be put together to make the sponsorship worthwhile. Topics to be announced and promoted momentarily.
SUPPLIER NEWS GROWING!
Thanks to all associate (supplier) members for your recent submissions. As the CPA website continues to grow and become more useful and interactive, traffic will continue to grow. The segment devoted to your products and services will benefit as well. Keep up the good work!
CPA CONTINUES TO ADD NEW MEMBERS
Since the last newsletter in May 2009, the following companies have joined CPA. We thank you and look forward to working with all. Welcome to the "club."
- Tellico Contract Packaging
- Brisar Industries
- Aldelano Packaging Corp.
- CDS - Unistel
- Fujifilm Hunt Chemical U.S.A.
- County Packaging
- Aerofil Technology
- Sturm Foods
- Kable Packaging
VISIT CPA AT PACK EXPO LAS VEGAS
Stop by Booth #C-952 between October 5-7 for CPA updates, or just to say hello.
