Sean Smyth has spent over 25 years in the industry in senior technology positions for a variety of print businesses across the supply chain, in hands on and consultancy roles. He helps companies make money through the appropriate use of technology.
Sean has a deep knowledge of the global print market, and a key member of the team providing quantitative market data and forecasts for the printing, paper and packaging industry. He authors off-the-shelf market studies and provides strategic consultancy services to a range of clients across the value chain.
Sean has a strong background in appropriate application of technology to print, implementing digital print systems, MIS and workflows to take time and cost out of the print supply chain. In 1994 he became Technical Director of Rexam, where the first colour digital presses in the UK were installed and he has extensive experience of digital printing. He has written many books and market studies on the future, print technology and digital print, including Smithers' flagship title "The Print & Production Manual" and the "Future of Global Print Markets".
Ken’s been an industry icon for over 30+ years working across all segments of the packaging industry. Flexible, Folding Carton, and Labels. In addition to product introductions, his efforts with Brands and leveraging new technologies has been instrumental in many key developments within the packaging industry. His work with many groups, associations, and Universities has provided critical insights to an ever-changing landscape of opportunities. Education leveraged by innovation to enable customer growth while providing end-to-end solutions, is my most valued contribution.
Leon Nicholas works across Smurfit Westrock’s commercial organization to advance retail insights across a broad portfolio of differentiated solutions for consumer goods and retail customers since 2018. Leon’s background includes over 31 years in the consumer goods and retail industry working for Hannaford Bros, Information Resources, Veridiem, and Global Insight. He joined Kantar Retail in 2008, where he led a team of retail analysts and advisors to retailers and manufacturers, and most recently served as its Chief Insights Officer.
Leon is widely-cited in the retail trade and national news media, including TV, radio, and print. He has been a contributor to CNBC, CNN Radio, Bloomberg, The Wall St. Journal, NPR, and Washington Post; a co-author in trade publications ranging from Drug Store News, MMR, and Progressive Grocer; and a panelist in industry forums ranging from NACDS, NRF, and GlobalShop. He is a sought-after presenter at numerous industry trade conferences and customer strategic engagements.
Leon earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, summa cum laude, from Bates College.
Mikey is the Co-Founder & COO of Scrapp, a waste technology and data platform on a mission to simplify waste management infrastructure to engage consumers, brands, and municipalities through accessible technology and data analytics. Scrapp's flagship products are their mobile app and separation stations that allow people to receive product, packaging, and location-specific recycling guidance in real time, all via a retail barcode scan (a.k.a GTIN). Mikey has studied over 27,000 municipal recycling programs across the USA, UK and Canada to understand strengths in recycling markets as well as the state of municipal solid waste collection. Mikey has studied in 3 different countries and has a dual degree in Mechanical Engineering and Sustainability from the University of New Hampshire.
Tim Bohlke is the Director of Sustainability for Resource Label Group. Bohlke has more than 25 years of management experience working with and for brand owners in various functions to include sustainable solutions for best-in-class materials. He leads a Sustainable Champions team at Resource Label Group, a full-service label manufacturer with locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Deb Gokie is the Vice President of Consumer Health and Ease of Use at the Arthritis Foundation. She leads the Ease of Use Program, where she manages the licensing, testing, and evaluation processes. Her role involves collaborating closely with engineers, industrial designers, and brand teams to innovate and enhance ease of use design for products and packaging, both in development and in the market. Before assuming this role, Deb was the Vice President of Corporate Partnerships, where she successfully managed multi-million-dollar partnerships with consumer and pharmaceutical companies. Her efforts have fostered enduring alliances and driven significant growth in support of the Arthritis Foundation’s mission. Deb has been recognized as a Top 50 Women Leader in Non-profit by Women We Admire. She has also been a keynote speaker for the Women Leaders Association, a presenter at various regional, national and international conferences, and is a mentor to women in both business and academic settings. Having benefited from many women mentors herself, Deb is passionate about giving back and supporting the next generation of women leaders.
As a member of the Esko corporate marketing team, Jan De Roeck (°1966) leads a team of marketeers developing outbound messaging and content, manages industry relationships and coordinates market research activities.
With his parents running a local print business, Jan was literally raised amidst ink, paper and printing presses. He holds a bachelor degree in printing and pre-press, and a specialization in graphic design. He complemented his graphic arts education with an Advanced Management Program at the Ghent-Leuven Vlerick Business School in 2007.
Jan began his career in 1989 in the customer services department at Barco, a Belgian technology group at the basis of what Esko is today. Through various product management and product marketing assignments, Jan developed a particular interest, acumen and expertise in prepress solutions for packaging and label production. Jan is highly respected and trusted for his insight in the graphic arts industry and his level of understanding of customer workflows and market requirements. He is a frequently asked speaker and moderator at various international industry events and trade conferences and represents Esko in various trade associations.
Kerry Sanders is the VP Market Development for EFI and focuses on driving awareness and adoption of EFI digital printing solutions for corrugated packaging in the eCommerce customer segment. Kerry's unique perspectives are informed by his executive experience in business development, operations, and marketing for Fortune 500 companies. Prior to joining EFI, Kerry served as Executive Vice President, Global Business Development at Craft Worldwide, an Interpublic Group (IPG) agency. Prior to Craft, Kerry held key leadership roles in sales and marketing at HP and Xerox, focusing on global new product introductions for digital transformations.
Mike Rottenborn has been CEO of Hybrid Software Group (formerly Global Graphics PLC) since 2020. He has spent 35 years working in the graphic arts industry and began his career as an electrical and software engineer with DuPont Printing & Publishing. After DuPont, he joined PCC Artwork Systems to focus on prepress workflow software for labels and packaging before co-founding Hybrid Software Inc. in 2007. Mr. Rottenborn received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech and his Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Villanova University.
