Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has declared October 1 – 5 "Paper Week" throughout the state in recognition of several prominent paper industry events being held in downtown Appleton. The Wisconsin paper industry is vital to the state’s economy, employing over 31,000 people at 35 facilities with a payroll of nearly 2.5 billion. 

Two of the events are industry leading conferences, Specialty Papers US and Tissue 2018 which are co-sponsored by TAPPI with Smithers PIRA and RISI, respectively. TAPPI’s Lake States Local Section was instrumental in coordinating many of the activities taking place during this information-packed week. 

A contingent of nearly 600 international attendees are expected to converge during the week at the Red Lion Paper Valley Hotel and Fox Cities Convention Center to attend the conferences, the Paper Industry Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, and a series of tours, meetings, workshops, trade fairs, and receptions. 

Tissue 2018 is the only peer-reviewed technical conference in the tissue industry. Tissue consumption continues to grow both in the U.S. and globally, and technical innovations and advancements are powering that growth. The conference provides the latest information in these areas and features speakers from Kimberly-Clark, Sofidel, RISI, Georgia-Pacific, Fisher International, Focus on Energy and others.  A large exhibit and tours of Pulsar, CR Meyer, Fabio Perini and SGS are part of the program.  

Specialty Papers US is the only event in North America dedicated specifically to specialty papers, an important growth segment of the industry.  Speakers from ConAgra Brands, Panera Bread, Procter & Gamble, Neenah Paper, Fisher International, Stora Enso, and Essity will participate.  Tours of Neenah Paper, Verso, and U-W Stevens Point’s pilot paper machine have been organized. 

The Paper Industry International Hall of Fame’s annual Induction Dinner takes place October 4 and features keynote speaker and inductee Luigi Lazzareschi, CEO, Sofidel. Three other members will also be inducted.   

 

More information is available at Appleton Paper Week and at tissue2018.org.