VISION® 2012 Conference Returns to New Orleans in January

A topical agenda on global and domestic issues, consumer trends and technical advancements in nonwovens is expected to attract hundreds of industry executives to 11th annual VISION Consumer Products Conference,
January 23-26, 2012

CARY, N.C. — October 31, 2011 — A far-ranging program that will focus on topics as diverse as Health Care Reform, Global Aging and Sustainability will highlight the VISION 2012 Consumer Products Conference, January 23-26, 2012 at the Hotel Intercontinental in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Celebrating its 11th consecutive year as the most important conference bringing together the worlds of consumer products and nonwovens, the VISION Consumer Products Conference, which is organized by INDA, the leading Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, will once again focus attention on the role of nonwovens in consumer products ranging from diapers, feminine hygiene and incontinence products to home air filters, facial products, dryer sheets, cleaning products, packaging and more.

“For the past decade the VISION Consumer Products Conference has kept the nonwovens and consumer products industries ahead of the curve on the trends that impact the business worldwide,” says Rory Holmes, President of INDA. “At VISION 2012 some of the world's most well-respected experts on consumer products and nonwovens will educate attendees on the topics that will now drive our industry for the next 10 years.”

Among the program highlights of VISION 2012:

• A special INDA Kick-off reception will be held Monday, January 23, at the world-famous Pat O’Brien’s on Bourbon Street. Attendees are invited to join the INDA staff to mingle with other attendees and sample Pat O’Brien’s specialty drink – the Hurricane.
• A session on “The Global Economic Outlook & Macro Trends — Slow Growth Is Better Than No Growth At All” will feature well-known economist Jim Smith, Chief Economist at Parsec Financial Management. Smith, who is on the forecast panels of The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Bloomberg News and Business Week, will debunk the negative media coverage on the global economy’s prospects and reveal the brighter side of the global economic outlook.
• A session on the “Top Five Retail Trends for 2012: An Economic Overview,” will be presented by Daniel Butler, the National Retail Federation’s VP-Merchandising & Retail Operations. Butler will inform attendees of what to expect on retail shelves and marketing in the coming year.
• “Health Care Reform: What to Expect in the Days Ahead.” In this topical presentation by Jessica Franken, Director of Government Affairs at INDA, attendees will learn more about how some of the Health Care Reform changes stand to affect the industry and their business in the near future.
• “How Global Aging Will Reshape the Economy of the 21st Century,” presented by Richard Jackson, Director & Senior Fellow-Global Aging Initiative, Center for Strategic & International Studies. Jackson will explore the economic, business, and financial market implications of the coming global age wave, which promises to affect everything from fiscal balances and economic growth rates to market structure and business psychology.
• “Incontinence Products: A Paradox of Choice,” presented by Tom Wilson, Co-Founder, The CareGiver Partnership. The disposable incontinence category continues to boom today fueled by 10,000 new boomers turning 65 every day. Wilson will focus on the challenges and opportunities for nonwovens and consumer products in this segment.
• A “Disposable Diaper Market Update” from Carlos Richer, Principal, Richer Investment, will take a global look at the diaper world — where is it growing, where is it shrinking, and the expected volume of diapers in the next decade. 
• A session on “Technology, Marketing & Sustainability Trends” will feature presentations on “Marketing Strategies for Mature Consumers,” by George Moschis, Alfred Bernhardt Research Professor & Director of the Center for Mature Consumer Studies, Georgia State University; and a session on “The Primacy of Positioning,” from Timothy Greiner, CEO, Pure Strategies.
• Closing VISION 2012 will be a morning session on “Raw Materials: The Present & The Future.” It will feature presentations on “Biopolymer Technology Trends & Forecast” from Edward Glatzer, Director of Commercial Development, IHS/CMAI; “Biobased Polypropylene,” from Mark Mendelson, Marking and Product Portfolio Manager, Braskem America; and “The Future of Superabsorbents,” from Patricia Brown, Technical Service Representative, BASF.

Once again a highlight of VISION 2012 will be the presentation of the prestigious 2012 Visionary Award, created to recognize the most innovative use of nonwoven fabrics used in a consumer product. Finalists will make presentations to VISION 2012 attendees, who will then vote on the recipient of the 2012 Visionary Award. The recipient will be announced on the final day of VISION 2012.

The finalists for the 2012 Visionary Award are:

• 1. BandZorb Disposable Headwear Liners, BandZorb LLC
• 2. IntelliDent Toothbrush Holder, E4 Technologies
• 3. The Bra Liner, Gelok International
• 4. O’Cedar ProMist Disposable Floor Cleaning Pad, Tietex International
• 5. Stomp ‘N Go Stain Lifting Pad, Bissell Homecare

In addition to the Kick-off Reception at Pat O’Brien’s, there will be expanded networking opportunities at VISION 2012 with two nights of Table-top Displays and Networking Receptions. Vendors from the complete nonwovens/consumer products value chain will showcase their products during the Table-Top Displays and Receptions, making it an ideal opportunity to reach current and potential new customers from around the world. 

After a successful debut at VISION 2011, the well-received “Speed Networking” session will also return. Described as “compressed networking in a low-pressure environment,” Speed Networking provides attendees with three minutes to talk and share business cards with a fellow attendee before moving on to make another connection. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

A special event during VISION 2012 will be the inaugural Second Harvest Volunteer Opportunity on January 26. INDA will thank its gracious host city by inviting VISION attendees to join the INDA staff for an afternoon of community service. INDA will provide transportation to Second Harvest, a regional food bank, to sort, box and repackage donated food to be directed to hungry families throughout New Orleans. Afterwards, volunteers will be INDA’s guest for dinner and an evening of jazz.

Early registration for VISION 2012 ends in December. To register online go to www.inda.org/events/vision12/, or call INDA at 919-233-1210.