Label Converters Look to the Future

Published: April 01, 2011, By By Nsenga Thompson, Assoc. Editor

PALM BEACH, FL | The Tag & Label Mfrs. Inst. held its annual Converter Meeting March 13-16 at the Four Seasons Resort. This year's theme, “The Future is Upon Us-Adapting to a Brave New World,” set the tone for a meeting committed to generating renewed optimism in the label converting industry and a “roadmap” to generate enthusiasm and growth within attendees' own operations.

This year's converter sessions featured inspirational as well as instructional advice from experts who asked attendees to look closely at their operations and personal leadership styles.

In the presentation, Driving Growth through Innovation: How Leading Firms Are Transforming Their Futures, Robert Tucker, president of The Innovation Resource, opened the Monday session with an engaging look at how successful companies have used unconventional methods to drive innovation and increased profits for their businesses.

Switching gears from innovation, Alan Beaulieu, senior analyst, economist, and principal with the Inst. for Trends Research, offered a different view of economics with an informative, insightful, and humorous look at the current economic climate and the ray of light that is finally coming in to view for the next few years.

Tuesday's session opened with Steve Farber, president and CEO of Extreme Leadership, an organization “devoted to the cultivation and development of extreme leaders.” Farber laid down his steps on how business owners can execute extreme leadership in their companies. In a lively “coach to team” format, Farber showed converting executives how a lot of “love” and a big leap of faith can yield big results.

The final speaker, Mike Marks, co-founder of the Indian River Consulting Group, specializes in one- and two-step distribution channel strategies, supply chain management, application of technology design and implementation, and warehouse automation. Marks ended the conference session on a positive note, tying in the previous sessions and showing label converters that through good leadership there is a distinct road for success.

Following Marks' presentation, Shawn Six from Industry Insights provided the TLMI Ratio Study annual update. The annual awards dinner also was held and featured winners of the World Label Awards.

The 2012 TLMI Converter Meeting will be held March 4-7 at the Royal Palms Resort Spa in Phoenix, AZ.