AICC Mexico Annual Meeting & Trade Fair - Querétaro

This year, AICC Mexico members met in the city of Querétaro at the Grand Fiesta Americana Hotel, from October 22^nd to 25^th. More than 250 participants attended, including 26 new members.

The central theme of the meeting was “Transforming Challenges into Growth Opportunities”. Attendees were able to participate in a sales seminar, as well as the general session where they had the opportunity to listen to world-class speakers. In addition, the traditional trade fair was held with more than 38 industry suppliers. Finally, the program included a guided tour of the Cartones Ponderosa plant. This year, integration activities were also included such as the second Golf tournament held by AICC Mexico and a culinary networking activity with the emerging leaders.

The event kicked off on Tuesday, October 22nd, with the second AICC México golf tournament at the Zibatá golf course. The tournament had 24 participants, including box makers and industry suppliers, where they were able to share a great networking experience, closing the day with an awards luncheon.

This year's seminar, which took place on October 23rd, focused on sales psychology. Taught by Saskia de Winter, recognized expert in managing uncertainty and founding partner and CEO of Saskia de Winter Training. Titled “Powerful Sales, from Persuasion to Closing,” the one-day seminar was sold out, with 80 attendees. Participants took home practical and applicable tools to achieve powerful sales and the importance that exists in effectively listening to customer needs.

In the afternoon, the traditional AICC México 2024 trade fair opened with a welcome cocktail and the participation of 38 industry supplier companies and more than 200 people who attended to learn about the latest in the cardboard industry.

The attendees were welcomed by the President of AICC, Mike D'Angelo, and the general session began with the words of Sergio Menchaca, General Director of Eko Empaques and president of AICC México. The growth of active members stood out, which amounts to 90 member companies, a much higher number than the 40 members of a few years ago. Twenty-six new members have joined AICC México in the last year. Among other things, he emphasized the commitment of AICC Mexico in education and training for member companies to help them be more successful.

The plenary session had great personalities as speakers on topics relevant to the industry, the economy and the current political environment. Jesús Silva-Herzog Márquez began the sessions by talking about the perspectives of the new government after the elections in 2024. As an industry speaker, Luis Gerardo González from the company Cartones Microcorrugados presented a very entertaining talk where he talked about the history, growth of his company and the context that the industry is experiencing in Mexico in 2024.

Román López, from Kolbus de México, Platinum sponsor of the event, gave a conference where he talked about e-commerce and its impact on packaging production. The session continued with Rodrigo Pacheco's conference: “México between obsolescence and potential” where he spoke about the economy and political environment of our country.

Ricardo Martínez from Amtech, platinum sponsor of the event, also offered his conference: OEE, how it impacts productivity.

After the networking luncheon, participants heard the keynote speaker, Oso Trava, give a motivational lecture based on his new book: Cracks Tactics.

To conclude the conferences, attendees listened to the conference by Stephen Shannon, from HP, a platinum sponsor: “Transforming today, empowering tomorrow with HP digital printing solutions.”

Finally, this year AICC México changed presidents, leaving the presidency,  Sergio Menchaca Flores and granting the leadership to the new president, Jorge Ortega of Soluciones de Empaque, from Hermosillo, Sonora. Also, the  new board of directors of AICC Mexico for the period 2024-2027 was presented. The day closed with the trade fair, where more than 250 participants arrived.

On the last day of the program, attendees were able to take a very interesting guided tour of the Cartones Ponderosa plant, to close the annual meeting with the Emerging Leaders event, where the 30 attendees had a Grill Master Class at the Mexican Society of Grillers.

AICC México would like to make a special recognition and thanks to the sponsors.

Platinum:

Kolbus de México

Amtech

HP

Gold:

Rinco

Fosber

Silver:

Alliance

EAM-Mosca

Carton.com

Efi

TechLab Systems

ACS

Bronze:

Alpine

Sun Automation

ALHU

BCM Inks

Policart

GlobalBox Machine

ICASA

Apex

Baldwin

Productora Nacional de Papel

ARC

Packland

First Quality Chemicals

Matec

Dimacci

SGA

Nova LA

Corrugated Chemicals

Macarbox

Boix México