Edwin brings a wealth of experience in California’s legislative landscape, with a career spanning both government service and advocacy. He spent six years in various roles with the California State Assembly, most recently serving as legislative director for Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas). His career in California began as a scheduler and legislative assistant for multiple assembly members; he then advanced to key roles, including legislative director and Capitol director. Edwin also worked in legislative advocacy for the Precision Advocacy Group, a Sacramento-based lobbying, public affairs, and public relations firm. He leads the advocacy work for FPA in the Western Region, covering the states west of the Mississippi.

Dan serves as President & CEO of the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), the association representing U.S. converters of film, foil, paper and other materials into packages for food, medical device and industrial products. Prior to joining FPA in 2024, Dan served as Executive Director for AMERIPEN – the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment. A well-known leader in the U.S. government affairs arena for more nearly 20 years, Dan has represented multinational corporations, various coalitions, and trade associations representing several Fortune 500 companies. He is particularly passionate about environmental, sustainability, and packaging issues and has advocated extensively in those areas at the local, state, and federal levels in the U.S.

Russell Grissett is the CEO & President of TOPPAN Packaging Americas and Chair of the FPA Board of Directors.

Russell joined Toppan as CEO and President of TOPPAN Packaging Americas following Toppan’s acquisition of Sonoco’s Flexibles and Thermoforming businesses in April 2025. Prior to joining Toppan, he was with Sonoco for over 30 years where he was most recently President of Global Thermoforming and Flexibles and an Officer of the company.

A graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Industrial Engineering, Russell remains actively involved with his alma mater as a member of Auburn’s Industrial Engineering Alumni Council. He also serves as Chair Elect of the Flexible Packaging Association and contributes to Clemson University as a member of the FRESH Advisory Board.

Russell lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife, Christina, and their three children. In his free time, he enjoys boating, mountain biking, hiking, cooking, and watching college sports.

Andrew Hackman (Andy) is a public policy advocate who has lobbied in more than 30 state capitols and is also a registered federal lobbyist who has testified before the U.S. Senate. He previously served as vice president of government affairs for the Toy Industry Association (now the Toy Association), where he oversaw its advocacy programs at both the state and federal levels. Andy has also directed the national government affairs program of the Consumer Specialty Products Association (now the Household and Consumer Products Association).

Andy has led policy discussions for 25 years in the consumer product and environmental policy arena at the state level. He prides himself on being able to find middle ground with stakeholders and strives to ensure that public policy is balanced and reasonable. He has led multi-stakeholder negotiations and lobbying efforts on a myriad of critical issues for his clients and previous employers. These issues have included: Consumer Protection; Chemical Regulation; Sustainability Requirements; Extended Producer Responsibility; Alcohol Regulation; Data Privacy; Economic Development; Gun Safety; and Tobacco Policy.

Andy holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs and a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University.

2025 has been anything but quiet. The shift in U.S. leadership has brought a wave of new policies—on tariffs, immigration, and the country’s role in global conflicts, to name a few—that are reshaping the broader economic and business climate. Some of these changes may directly impact the polyolefins industry, while others exert a more indirect influence. Either way, they all contribute to a growing sense of uncertainty.

In this presentation, we’ll read the industry’s tea leaves—prices, margins, supply, demand, and trade—to see what signals are emerging. How are these policy shifts rippling through the market? What is noise, and what is real?

Once we have sorted through what is happening today, we will turn our attention to what 2026 might bring. Because if this year has taught us anything, it is that the road ahead will be anything but predictable. So, grab your cup and let’s see what the leaves are telling us.

During his 24-year career, Esteban has experienced all aspects of the petrochemical value chain, through commercial and marketing assignments with Repsol Química in Spain, Tetra Pak in Panama, and New Castle Industries in Houston. That cycle of experiences, spanning chemical producers, polymer converters, and consumer product companies, was a key success factor for his transition to the chemical consulting industry, where Esteban worked under the umbrella of renowned firms like Townsend Tarnell, Nexant ChemSystems, CMAI (now part of IHS Chemical), and Wood Mackenzie, honing his price research, reporting and forecasting, market research, and analysis and feasibility studies skills.

During his tenure at CMAI, Esteban was responsible for the discovery and analysis of supply, demand, cost, and price dynamics for polyethylene and polypropylene in the Americas. He was also the lead in several proprietary studies, including feasibility studies, market analysis, and due diligence reports.

Before founding ChemPMC, Esteban headed Wood Mackenzie’s polymer practice, designing and implementing the company’s polymer services, which features scenario-capable long-term supply and demand models, logistic demand forecasting tools, global trade grids, as well as seasonality-driven short-term supply and demand models, and in the process trained a global team of analysts located in Houston, London, and Singapore.

Esteban has been a featured speaker at North and Latin American chemical and polymer associations meetings including APLA, IPA, ANIPAC, Canadian Plastics, or CERI, as well as consulting firms and producers-led events. Esteban holds a Chemical Engineering Degree from the Instituto Químico de Sarrià in Barcelona, Spain as well as an MBA from Rice University’s Jones School of Business.

Be the first to see findings and insights from new research sponsored by FPA and the Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA) that explores why Americans don’t recycle their flexible films & packaging and what conditions would need to exist – and what messages they would need to hear – to motivate them to change their behaviors. This landmark research can support future campaigns to educate consumers about the value of flexible films and packaging, how and where to recycle it, and motivate them to then recycle it.

Research Objectives: Explore existing consumer assumptions and attitudes about recycling flexible films; Assess how consumers categorize and differentiate flexible films vs. other recyclable materials; Quantify existing awareness and behaviors associated with flexible film recycling programs and methods; Measure interest and future usage intentions of flexible film drop-off locations among “fence sitters” and non-participants; Quantify potential message effectiveness promoting proper flexible film recycling and Plastics-FFRA’s drop-off location directory; and Create a consumer segmentation that groups adults into categories based on their attitudes and behaviors related to flexible film recycling, and potential to adapt in the future.

Suzanne Shelton is a senior partner at ERM Shelton, the nation’s leading marketing communications agency entirely focused in the sustainability space. She regularly counsels C-level executives at Fortune 1000 organizations on how to best define and leverage their sustainability approaches to drive business results. She currently serves on the board of BioLogiQ, and recently served on the board of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the executive advisory board of Cyclyx. She is also a member of the Exceptional Women Alliance. Ms. Shelton offers insights and inspiration on conference stages around the country, guest writes for Trellis, and directly manages a team of leaders who, collectively, have made the company a success story since 1991.

This session returns with a fresh update on global and regional trends shaping the flexible packaging industry. Drawing from Euromonitor’s proprietary data and analysis, Clint Smith will explore recent market dynamics across key global regions, highlight fast-growing pack types within flexible packaging, and share how cost pressures, consumer habits, and sustainability imperatives are influencing packaging strategy. Attendees will walk away with actionable insights to inform trade, investment, and innovation decisions in 2025 and beyond.

Clint Smith advises trade organizations, agri-food associations, and government agencies on data-driven strategies for export development, regulatory planning, and market intelligence. With over 12 years of global experience—including six years in Shanghai—Clint has partnered with numerous packaging companies and has worked closely with FPA and other packaging associations to support innovation, sustainability, and competitive growth across the sector. He brings a unique cross-border perspective to today’s evolving policy and trade environment.

Arnaud’s Restaurant

Arnaud’s Main Dining Room exudes timeless sophistication with opulent décor, grand chandeliers, and rich wood accents. Guests are enveloped in an atmosphere of refined luxury, where every detail, from the crisp white tablecloths to the soft candlelight, contributes to an unforgettable dining experience. Great for a business dinner.

BearCat Café

Bearcat CBD is an expansion upon our original Uptown location. As always, our goal is to provide options for all dietary preferences and restrictions. Our menu features a Good Cat section, which offers lighter fare, and a Bad Cat section that features heartier, more indulgent dishes. We have a curated selection of sustainably sourced coffees, a diverse array of specialty teas, a rotating line of house-made bottled beverages, and a full-service bar program. We always maintain a variety of Vegetarian, Vegan, Paleo, and Gluten-Free choices amongst our selections. Bearcat CBD tries to cater to each and every one of our patrons to the best of our abilities. Serves a casual breakfast and lunch.

Brennan's

A New Orleans Original Since 1946! Brennan's Executive Chef Kris Padalino's menus are rooted in Creole traditions and are bolstered with contemporary New Orleans influences. Marrying classic and modern techniques yields a decidedly innovative approach and enhances our local, seasonal offerings. Great for business meetings – breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

GW Fins

Welcome to GW Fins, where the finest seasonal seafood meets culinary artistry in the heart of New Orleans. Our chefs craft each dish with subtle techniques that enhance the natural flavors and textures of the day's freshest catch. Indulge in a menu that changes daily, offering a true taste of elegant simplicity. Reserve your table today or explore our menu to discover why GW Fins is a seafood destination like no other. A great location for business dinners.

Miss River

Miss River at the Four Seasons New Orleans offers a grand Creole dining experience in the heart of the French Quarter. Led by renowned Chef Alon Shaya, the restaurant serves elevated New Orleans favorites with bold Cajun flavors and local ingredients. Signature dishes include Whole Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Clay Pot Dirty Rice, and Red Beans and Rice. Great for a casual business lunch or dinner.

Muriel’s Jackson Square

The epitome of decadence, opulence, and mystery that surrounds the French Quarter, coupled with Chef Erik Veney’s contemporary Creole cuisine. At Muriel's, enjoy a street side lunch or relaxed dinner with friends surrounded by an inviting ambiance on our first floor. Our second floor offers a provocative sensory private dining experience. Guests are immersed in a world of refinement and revelry that reflects the rich historical, cultural, and culinary character of the Crescent City. Great for business dinners, private dining is available.

Napoleon House

Owned and operated by the Impastato family since 1914 and Ralph Brennan since May of 2015, Napoleon House suspends you in time. Listen to Beethoven's Eroiqua, which he composed for Napoleon, and the music of other classical masters, while sipping a Pimm's Cup, and basking in an ambiance that could only be New Orleans. Great for a casual lunch or dinner.

Bar Tonique

Tonique opened 08/08/08 as the first free-standing craft cocktail bar in New Orleans, with the straightforward goal of serving great cocktails, carefully curated wines, and craft beers in a friendly, unpretentious, neighborhood bar. Over the years, while the community—and the cocktail industry—have changed quite a bit, we’ve stuck to those roots. Ice machines might break, but the goal and the way we go about delivering it hasn’t... so why change it? We still have pretty much the same menu, only having expanded it twice since 2008. We have a pretty much the same appearance, vibe, and approach, all aimed at humbly providing a space for New Orleans to come together and connect.

Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone

The most celebrated bar in New Orleans since 1949 and still spinning! The Carousel Bar opened inside the historic Hotel Monteleone in 1949, becoming New Orleans’ first and only rotating bar. Its carousel theme and unique design is a treat you won’t find anywhere else, offering guests a pleasant, subtle rotation around a world-class cocktail bar every 15 minutes.

Napoleon House

Uncle Joe Impastato, the visionary founder of Napoleon House, had a discerning palate that leaned away from potent alcoholic beverages. Acquainted with Pimm's Cup during his travels in England—a refreshing, low-alcohol libation perfect for summer—he introduced it to Napoleon House. As a trailblazer, Napoleon House proudly became the first establishment in America to offer Pimm's Cups, surpassing global sales records, second only to the historic London bar that birthed this iconic drink.

Explore

Visiting New Orleans is an unforgettable experience filled with culture, music, and flavor. Wander the historic French Quarter, where jazz spills into the streets and colorful architecture surrounds you. Indulge in Creole and Cajun cuisine, from gumbo to beignets. Explore local art, street performers, and the lively energy of Bourbon Street. Ride a streetcar, visit the Garden District, or take a steamboat cruise along the Mississippi River. NOLA’s mix of history, celebration, and Southern hospitality makes it a city like no other—whether during Mardi Gras or on a quiet weekday, it always pulses with soul and spirit.

Unique NOLA Tours

Unique NOLA believes in crafting our guests’ experience into something special beyond the standard fare excursion ’round the city. We do this by employing exceptional guides and limiting the number of people on tour to 15- making it a more personal journey for you and your group. New Orleans allows up to 28 people on any given tour, but we feel tours with that many people are less enjoyable for everyone. With our smaller-group tours, you’ll have more of an ability to ask questions of our guides- and more easily hear them explain the delights of our distinctive city. No one wants to hear a guide yelling the whole time!

Things to Do

Whether this is your first time to New Orleans or you’re a seasoned visitor, the city’s invigorating spirit is sure to inspire, captivate, and motivate you to jump in and see and do so much. With so many options and many things to do all the time, narrowing the playing field can be a challenge. Think of it this way: divide how much time you have by what your priorities are – history, art, music, culture, and on and on - and then add in a little time for the spontaneous joy that is the Crescent City’s calling card. Subtract a few hours for sleep, multiply your dining pleasure by at least three times a day, and you have the perfect equation for an amazing New Orleans experience. Here is where to start making decisions.

Eat & Drink

Few other towns feature so many award-winning restaurants, famous chefs, or food festivals. The plates can be bone china or paper; the dining rooms can resemble a chateau or a roadhouse. It makes no difference. New Orleans serves up some of the most delicious food on the planet.

Upcoming Events

Around the clock, every day, every week, every month – New Orleans has it going on and on. From festivals and second lines to music shows, dance performances, comedy, and performing arts, it’s here. Interested in sports? The outdoors? Dining and cocktail events? New Orleans has all that and more. Check our calendar for what you might expect to see, and know that you’ll also find the unexpected.