More speakers announced for Focal Point 2016 

With 10 outstanding presenters already confirmed, Focal Point 2016 is shaping up as a
must-be-there event. 

You won't want to miss this conference, set for October 18 at UW-Stevens Point. Register online now for the early bird rate of $250.

Here are short introductions to two of our speakers -- Neil Darin of HAVI Global Solutions and Shelly Thobe of The Wendy's Company. We previously introduced eight more speakers but ICYMI you can read brief bios of each on our speakers page. Check out the presentation previews here.

Neil Darin
Neil Darin is senior project manager at HAVI Global Solutions. Neil is a packaging engineer with more than 20 years of experience within the packaging industry. He has worked with a diversity of materials and applications as a product developer, researcher, and innovation specialist at OM Scotts and Sons, Union Camp Corporation, Kraft Foods, and most recently HAVI Global Solutions. His career focus has been to enable companies to build brand recognition, market share and value by bringing emerging, packaging-relevant technologies to commercial fruition. Among his accomplishments is the recognition of Kraft Foods by the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute with the Packaging Line of the Year award in 2005 for a flexible film platform and operation which Neil initiated. In his present role, he leads HAVI Global Solutions' Global Innovation program, where HGS partners with technology owners to enable market activation of their technologies.

Shelly Thobe is director of innovation for  for The Wendy's Company. Her areas of responsibility for the Wendy's Product Innovation Team include Product Innovation team include: Chicken, Salads, Beverages, Frosty, Desserts and Packaging.

Shelly joined Wendy's as a technologist in the Product Innovation Department in 2001. As a key member of the Wendy's Innovation team, she has played a significant role in a multitude of successful new Wendy's product introductions over the past decade. Her most recent accomplishment was leading a team that developed, tested and launched Jalapeno Fresco Chicken and Ghost Pepper Fries, FruitTea Chillers, Summer Berry Salad and Blackberry Lemonade. Other key product launches include Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger, Wendy's Pulled Pork Sandwich and Topped Fries. In addition, Thobe led The Dave's Hot N Juicy cheeseburger line reinvention that has received several honors, including "Best Hamburger Launch in 2011" by Burger Business and the COEX National Culinary/Operations Innovation Award, which recognizes chains that are shaping the restaurant industry through culinary innovation.

Shelly graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Nutrition and Food Service Management and a Master of Science in Human Nutrition. She lives in Delaware, Ohio, with her husband, Corey, and their four children.


Attend this one-day conference to hear highly accomplished industry professionals:
  • Highlight the recovery of fiber from coated board and describe 
    food-contact-compliant recycled fiber
  • Present brand-owner perspectives on paper-based food packaging 
    and serviceware items
  • Provide insights from leading converting companies about future needs 
    and trends in paper and paperboard packaging
  • Describe a number of innovations targeting superior performance
  • Share insights on regulatory aspects of food contact papers
  • Update on standards and labeling for compostable paper products

Focal Point 2016 Sponsors


              




    

 
      













 Additional sponsorship opportunities are available; see this brochure or contact Paul Fowler to discuss sponsorship.
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