3 Packaging Trends You Need to Address in 2024

Adam Peek is a father of 5, husband of 1. He is also the host of the People of Packaging podcast and an SVP at Meyers Printing. His passion for changing the world has also led him to be a sustainability consultant, sales trainer, global keynote speaker/preacher, and author of The Packaging Peeks Children’s Book.

Kitty Dowgert is a Senior Manager, Specification Program at Taylor Farms, a fresh salads and prepared foods company. Her diverse career path from Technical Sales in Agriculture to restaurant ownership, to Staff Management in an international law firm, has provided her with a unique perspective for streamlining business operations. With extensive experience in Regulatory Best Practices at Taylor Farms, she is currently deploying a unified specification system and workflow across multiple user groups and manufacturing plants in the US and internationally.  Kitty recognizes the critical importance of accessible specifications across multiple levels of this vertically integrated company. Kitty received her Bachelor’s degree at Villanova University, holds a Master’s Degree in Plant Physiology from Rutgers University and an MBA from Santa Clara University.

Matt Daum joined the Michigan State University (MSU) School of Packaging as Director in January 2020. Previously, he was with HP, Inc (formerly Hewlett Packard) for 25 years. He began his career at HP as a Packaging Engineer and eventually moved into management roles including Packaging, Supply Chain and Big Data Global Analytics. More recently he held executive manager positions in Product Marketing and Product Research and Development for the HP LaserJet supplies business. 

In addition, Daum has served as adjunct associate professor at Clemson University in the Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences where he advised graduate students. He has also guest lectured on the topics of supply chain and packaging at Clemson and the College of Idaho.

Daum previously served on the Industry Advisory Board at Boise State University College of Engineering. He has also chaired both the Global Board of Directors for the International Safe Transit Association.

Daum was awarded the 2022 MSU Innovation Center Corporate Connector of the Year for his innovative approach to working with industry.

Matthew Wright is the founder & executive chairman of Specright, the first cloud-based platform for Specification Management. Specright has been recognized by Fast Company’s prestigious Most Innovative Companies list, named a Gartner Cool Vendor, and as one of the Top Places to Work by the OC Register and Built in LA. Wright is also a published author and his book, “The Evolution of Products and Packaging,”was named to the Amazon Hot New Release List for Industrial Relations Business and has a five star rating. 

Prior to founding Specright, Wright spent more than 25 years in the packaging industry, holding leadership positions at International Paper, Temple Inland, and rightPAQ — a packaging company he co-founded. He has also been involved in leading multiple M&A deals in the packaging industry, currently sits on the MSU School of Packaging and Industry Advisory Board and previously served on the Packaging Advisory Board at Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo.

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