Automotive Packaging Summit

Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), including the renowned Deep Orange program. This guided experience will highlight cutting-edge automotive manufacturing, materials research, and advanced vehicle development initiatives shaping the future of mobility. The Deep Orange program is a flagship, industry-sponsored vehicle prototyping initiative where graduate students collaborate directly with OEMs and suppliers to design, engineer, and build next-generation automotive concepts.

The tour will take place at the Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center (CGEC), located at 4 Research Drive, Greenville, SC 29607.

Total Capacity: 45 attendees

Transportation provided

Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center (CGEC), located at 4 Research Drive, Greenville, SC 29607

02:00 PM - 04:00 PM

Cocktail Hour

Join us for the official kick-off cocktail reception at New Realm Brewing in the heart of downtown Greenville. Connect with fellow attendees, speakers, and industry leaders in a relaxed setting before the summit begins. Enjoy drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres while building new relationships and continuing conversations with peers from across the automotive packaging community.

This casual evening gathering is the perfect opportunity to network, unwind, and kick off the summit in one of Greenville’s favorite downtown venues.

New Realm Brewing, 912 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601

Day Two Thursday, October 1, 2026

12:35 PM - 01:00 PM

Closing and Awards

Wrap up the day with closing reflections and the announcement of the Pack Pitch Contest winner, recognizing the most innovative solution presented during the event.

Ballroom Main Stage

10:05 AM - 10:25 AM

Ask a Buyer

Gain valuable insight into how OEM procurement teams evaluate packaging suppliers, technologies, and solutions. This candid discussion provides guidance on how companies can better align with OEM expectations and build successful partnerships.

Ballroom Main Stage

11:10 AM - 11:40 AM

Snacks and Networking Break

Recharge with refreshments while connecting with exhibitors and fellow attendees.

Prefunction Area & Exhibitor Hall

12:05 PM - 12:35 PM

OEM Panel

Leading OEM packaging experts discuss current challenges and future opportunities in automotive packaging—from automation and sustainability to supply chain resilience and material innovation.

Ballroom Main Stage

04:30 AM - 05:00 AM

Welcome Remarks

Welcome Remarks and fishbowl activities.

Ballroom Main Stage

05:00 AM - 05:30 AM

GM Keynote - Robotics Integration at GM

OEM Robotics Integration at GM

Ballroom Main Stage

07:05 AM - 07:35 AM

Vehicle Forcasting

Gain insight into vehicle production forecasts and macro trends shaping the automotive industry. This session explores how market dynamics, electrification, and global production shifts influence packaging demand and supply chain planning.

Ballroom Main Stage

06:30 AM - 06:45 AM

Table Activities

Table Activity: Launch Trivia – State of the Industry (Vehicle Launches Focus)

Main Stage

09:30 AM - 09:45 AM

Table Activities

No Description

Ballroom Main Stage

06:30 AM - 07:00 AM

Snacks and Networking Break

Grab a coffee, enjoy some snacks, and connect with fellow attendees in the exhibition area.

Prefunction Area & Exhibitor Hall

03:30 AM - 04:30 AM

Breakfast and Registration

Enjoy continental breakfast and pick up your badge at the registration table!

Prefunction Area

11:40 AM - 11:55 AM

Table Activities

No Description

Main Stage

06:45 AM - 07:05 AM

Case Studies

Hear real-world examples of packaging innovations addressing protection, cost efficiency, and sustainability challenges in automotive supply chains. These case studies showcase practical solutions that are improving packaging performance and logistics outcomes.

Ballroom Main Stage

11:45 AM - 12:05 PM

Forming and Molding 101

A practical overview of forming and molding processes used in automotive packaging production. Learn how these manufacturing techniques influence packaging design, durability, cost, and sustainability.

Ballroom Main Stage

09:45 AM - 10:05 AM

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Nissan's Approach

A concise overview of Nissan Aftersales, an introduction to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a walkthrough of Nissan’s approach to collecting and consolidating EPR packaging data, and an outline of the proactive packaging changes Nissan is implementing to mitigate future EPR fee impacts.

Ballroom Main Stage

07:35 AM - 08:05 AM

Isuzu’s Next Chapter: Building the Future in Greenville

Isuzu North America shares its vision for the future with insights into its expanding operations and new manufacturing initiatives in Greenville, South Carolina. Learn how new vehicle programs and production strategies will impact logistics, packaging, and supplier collaboration.

Ballroom Main Stage

01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

Cocktail Reception and Hors d'Oeuvres

Continue the conversation during our evening cocktail reception featuring drinks and hors d'oeuvres. This relaxed setting offers the perfect opportunity to strengthen connections and build new partnerships across the automotive packaging community.

Prefunction Area

08:05 AM - 09:30 AM

Lunch and Networking

Enjoy a catered lunch while exploring the exhibits and continuing conversations with attendees.

Prefunction, Exhibitor Hall and Ballroom

10:25 AM - 11:10 AM

Pack Pitch Contest

Fast-paced, TED-style presentations featuring innovative packaging and supply chain solutions. Each participating company delivers a 3-minute pitch followed by 1 minute of live Q&A, with attendees helping select the most impactful innovation.

Ballroom Main Stage

06:00 AM - 06:30 AM

OEM Packaging Needs

OEM packaging leaders share real-world challenges and priorities shaping packaging design, material selection, logistics efficiency, and sustainability initiatives. This session highlights the evolving needs of vehicle manufacturers and the opportunities for suppliers to support next-generation packaging solutions.

Nissan: Engineering for Efficiency: Optimizing Part Design to Reduce Packaging and Logistics Cost.

Automotive part design has a direct and often underestimated impact on packaging efficiency, logistics cost, and overall supply chain performance. In this session, we will explore how minor adjustments to part size and part shape can drastically change the number of parts per container, packaging material selection, freight density, and ultimately transportation spend. I will share real‑world examples where early design collaboration prevented downstream cost escalation. Attendees will gain practical insights into design‑for‑packaging principles, common pitfalls, and actionable strategies to improve density, protect quality, and reduce total delivered cost through smarter part design.

Ballroom Main Stage

Day Three Friday, October 2, 2026

04:30 AM - 05:30 AM

Advisory Board Meeting

Q4 Advisory Board Breakfast Meeting!

Downtown Greenville

07:00 AM - 08:00 AM

Clemson University Tour

Join us for a walking tour of Clemson University’s packaging science facilities - including material, testing, and state-of-the-art design laboratories. The tour will last approximately 1-hour/ Please note that the tour involves walking across campus, so we recommend wearing comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear.

Limited Space Available!

Transportation and parking are not provided.

Clemson University Main Campus

Select Date:

WED SEP 30

THU OCT 1

FRI OCT 2

03:30 AM - 04:30 AM

Breakfast and Registration

Prefunction Area

Enjoy continental breakfast and pick up your badge at the registration table!

04:30 AM - 05:00 AM

Welcome Remarks

Ballroom Main Stage

Welcome Remarks and fishbowl activities.

Andrew Hurley

Founder · PackagingSchool.com

05:00 AM - 05:30 AM

GM Keynote - Robotics Integration at GM

Ballroom Main Stage

OEM Robotics Integration at GM

Nasser Nasser

Engineering Group Manager- Container Planning · General Motors

06:00 AM - 06:30 AM

OEM Packaging Needs

Ballroom Main Stage

Nissan: Engineering for Efficiency: Optimizing Part Design to Reduce Packaging and Logistics Cost.

Alex Seger

Packaging Engineering Manager · Nissan North America

Connor DeYoung

Engineer, Sr Packaging & Quality · Mazda

06:30 AM - 06:45 AM

Table Activities

Main Stage

Table Activity: Launch Trivia – State of the Industry (Vehicle Launches Focus)

Jeremy Galanty

Senior Sustainability Analyst · General Motors

Andrew Hurley

Founder · PackagingSchool.com

06:30 AM - 07:00 AM

Snacks and Networking Break

Prefunction Area & Exhibitor Hall

Grab a coffee, enjoy some snacks, and connect with fellow attendees in the exhibition area.

06:45 AM - 07:05 AM

Case Studies

Ballroom Main Stage

Daniel Castaneda

Account Manager · PakFab

07:05 AM - 07:35 AM

Vehicle Forcasting

Ballroom Main Stage

Joseph McCabe

President & CEO · AFS

07:35 AM - 08:05 AM

Isuzu’s Next Chapter: Building the Future in Greenville

Ballroom Main Stage

Dan Universal

Vice President Manufacturing Operations · Isuzu North American Corporation

08:05 AM - 09:30 AM

Lunch and Networking

Prefunction, Exhibitor Hall and Ballroom

Enjoy a catered lunch while exploring the exhibits and continuing conversations with attendees.

09:30 AM - 09:45 AM

Table Activities

Ballroom Main Stage

No Description

Andrew Hurley

Founder · PackagingSchool.com

Jeremy Galanty

Senior Sustainability Analyst · General Motors

09:45 AM - 10:05 AM

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Nissan's Approach

Ballroom Main Stage

Nathan Kilcoyne

Packaging Engineer · Nissan North America

10:05 AM - 10:25 AM

Ask a Buyer

Ballroom Main Stage

Vidya Seeram

Senior Commodity Buyer Packaging · Volvo

10:25 AM - 11:10 AM

Pack Pitch Contest

Ballroom Main Stage

Terry Craig

Director of Technical Development · ArPlank Direct

Jonathan Brekan

Vice President, Technology · Daubert Cromwell

Robert Wainio

Business Development · CHEP

Dana Blair

Technical Sales Manager · NTIC Zerust

11:10 AM - 11:40 AM

Snacks and Networking Break

Prefunction Area & Exhibitor Hall

Recharge with refreshments while connecting with exhibitors and fellow attendees.

11:40 AM - 11:55 AM

Table Activities

Main Stage

No Description

Andrew Hurley

Founder · PackagingSchool.com

Jeremy Galanty

Senior Sustainability Analyst · General Motors

11:45 AM - 12:05 PM

Forming and Molding 101

Ballroom Main Stage

12:05 PM - 12:35 PM

OEM Panel

Ballroom Main Stage

Leading OEM packaging experts discuss current challenges and future opportunities in automotive packaging—from automation and sustainability to supply chain resilience and material innovation.

Nasser Nasser

Engineering Group Manager- Container Planning · General Motors

Kelsey Kester

Section Manager, Packaging Development · BMW

Bridget Grewal

Director of Packaging · Magna

Todd Chesna

Manager - Packaging Engineering · Ford Motor Company

12:35 PM - 01:00 PM

Closing and Awards

Ballroom Main Stage

Wrap up the day with closing reflections and the announcement of the Pack Pitch Contest winner, recognizing the most innovative solution presented during the event.

Andrew Hurley

Founder · PackagingSchool.com

01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

Cocktail Reception and Hors d'Oeuvres

Prefunction Area

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