Plastics News Executive Forum, Antec go virtual

Two more major plastics industry events are shifting to a virtual platform in early 2021: the Plastics News Executive Forum and Antec 2021.

However, one in-person industry event scheduled for Feb. 8-10 is going forward as planned, according to the organizer.

Since March 2020, most plastics industry conferences and trade shows have been canceled, postponed or switched to virtual formats because of COVID-19 and travel restrictions. With the Executive Forum and Antec switching to virtual events, that trend is continuing into early 2021.

The Executive Forum had been scheduled for March 16-18 in Naples, Fla. Antec had been scheduled for March 22-26 in Denver.

The dates for the virtual version of the Executive Forum are unchanged. Entering its 23rd year in 2021, this year's conference will take a special focus on the industry's response to the COVID crisis and the long-term effect on operations and strategic management.

Plastics News has already named two keynote speakers for the 2021 forum:

• Mike Okoroafor, vice president of global sustainability & packaging innovation at global food company McCormick & Co. Inc., who will talk about how manufacturers can thrive during difficult times by creating a sustainable business and using innovation to support growth.

• Michael McGaugh, president and CEO of Myers Industries Inc., who will look at strategies for successful management and offer insight into the state of the plastics industry in 2021, using examples from Myers' recent acquisition strategy.

The 2021 Executive Forum also will feature ceremonies and panels honoring the finalists for Plastics News' Processor of the Year award and Best Places to Work.

Registration for plastics processors for the Executive Forum is free until Jan. 15.

The Society of Plastics Engineers' Antec was one of the first industry events to go virtual in 2020. Now the 2021 conference is following suit.

In recent years, when Antec fell in the same year as NPE, the conference and tradeshow had co-located. For 2021, SPE planned to hold Antec separately from NPE, as an in-person event in Denver.

With the switch to the virtual format, now Antec will be divided into two parts. The first, taking place March 22-23, will include live talks from industry leaders on plastics and the environment, emerging technologies, and a view from top industry executives.

The second part, called Antec Classic, will run from March 29-April 9, will offer real-time, remote presentations with 20 technical tracks. Additionally, it will include International Spotlights with real-time presentations broadcast from various regions around the world.

"We'll be using an online event platform that will make the event easy-to-access no matter where you're from," Patrick Farrey, SPE's CEO, said in a news release. "The experience will be designed to serve plastics professionals from around the world with a strong educational and networking program."

Bucking the virtual trend, conference organizer MXI Conferences Inc. plans to hold The Packaging Conference as an in-person event Feb. 8-10 at the Omni Amelia Island Resort in Florida.

MXI President John Maddox said registrations and exhibitors are on-pace with the 2019 conference, and that the venue has extensive COVID guidelines in place to protect attendees.