Chair’s Message
- David Levine
 As I step into the role of Chairman of the Board of RIPA, I am both honored and energized by the opportunity to serve our members and help guide RIPA through the duration of my term.
Our industry continues to evolve, and RIPA’s strength has always been rooted in collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability. In that spirit, one of my key priorities as Chair will be continuing to grow and strengthen our Next Generation Program. Investing in emerging leaders is essential to ensuring the long-term success of our association and our industry, and I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by our outgoing Chair, Eric Bernath.
In addition, I am very excited about our outstanding upcoming calendar of events. I encourage everyone to join us this Spring at the RIPA Technical Conference in Savannah Georgia, where members will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful technical discussions, share best practices, and connect with peers. Also, later in the year, we have the honor of hosting the ICCR International Conference on Industrial Packaging in Las Vegas. This event promises to be an exceptional gathering, bringing together industry leaders from across the globe for education, networking, collaboration…and a little bit of fun!
I am also very much looking forward to working alongside our incoming officers. Please join me in welcoming Dean Ricker of Skolnik Industries, Inc., who will serve as Vice Chair, and Frederik Wenzel of Schütz Container Systems, Inc., who will serve as Treasurer. Their experience, insight, and dedication to RIPA will be invaluable as we move forward together.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support of RIPA. I am excited about the year ahead and confident that, together, we will continue to advance our mission and strengthen our industry.
Sincerely,
David Levine, Chair
Reusable Industrial Packaging Association
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Can't Miss! RIPA Spring Technical Conference May 3-5, 2026
Savannah, Georgia The Desoto Hotel Savannah (downtown)
 Enjoy a nice spring-time event with your friends and colleagues in the charming downtown of Savannah, Georgia. There will be a number of special, educational sessions as well as a couple of festive receptions for networking and getting caught up.
The Desoto Savannah Hotel is located right in the walkable, historic downtown, close to many attractions and restaurants. A special afternoon event is being planned for attendees who are not attending the Board of Directors meeting on Monday.
Details are in the works now. There will be sponsorship opportunities for those who wish to enhance their presence and profile.
For an overview of the hotel,  see the hotel's website HERE. More information on Registration and Room Reservations is coming very soon.
We look forward to seeing you there ! |
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IPANA Welcomes New Executive Director
The Industrial Packaging Alliance of North America (IPANA) has appointed Racheal McConnaughhay as its new executive director, effective January 5, 2026. She succeeds Matt Mlynarczyk, who led the organization since 2021.
McConnaughhay brings 16 years of combined government and contractor experience to the role, including three years in supervisory ethics work at the National Institute of Mental Health. In that position, she developed and maintained the Institute's ethics program, served as a key spokesperson on ethics and policy issues, and liaised with federal offices and external organizations on legal and policy matters. She holds a Master's Degree in Management from Catholic University.
"We are thrilled to welcome Racheal aboard as IPANA executive director," said Brian Minnich, IPANA Board Chair. "She brings experience, enthusiasm, and great communication skills to our organization."
RIPA Chair David Levine said, “RIPA welcomes Ms. McConnaughhay to the industrial packaging industry. All of us in RIPA look forward to a continuation of the excellent working relationship IPANA and RIPA have established over the past decade.”
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International Conference ** October 2026 ** Las Vegas, Nevada
 SAVE THE DATES! October 11 -15, 2026 for the International Conference on Industrial Packaging. This event happens only once every 9 years in North America. Once every three years, the International Conference rotates to Europe, Japan and North America.
In 2026, RIPA and the U.S. and North American industry will be the official hosts once again. In recent years, RIPA and its colleagues hosted the event in San Francisco, CA (2006) and Vancouver, Canada (2015). Both were amazing.
This year, 2026, the International Conference will be in Las Vegas !
RIPA has already assembled a team of industry leaders, together with RIPA staff, to map-out all the events, the program content and a Suppliers Exposition. Of course, input from our overseas friends and colleagues is part of the process.
You don’t want to miss this. It will include some sessions that comprise a RIPA Annual Conference for RIPA members, as is traditional and necessary.
We are expecting a large turnout. We will have on the Program several preeminent guest speakers from within the industry. Also, educational sessions are planned to include "A.I"., robotics and sustainability. More news is coming very soon.
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And Just for Fun - An A.I. Generated Image of Reconditioners at Work
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Your Ad HERE
Contact RIPA at 301-577-3786 or admin@ripaus.com
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