Schedule

  • Plastic Product Decorating Summit
  • Sugar Land (Houston), Texas
  • September 1-3, 2026
September 1st
September 2nd
September 3rd

2026 event theme:
Decorating 2.0: Technology that transforms plastics

*schedule subject to change

Tuesday, September 1st

1:00 – 4:00 pm

Registration

5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Optional Event: Sugar Land Space Cowboys Baseball Game

Wednesday, September 2nd

>> General Sessions – All Attendees

7:30 – 8:30 am

Registration

7:30 – 8:30 am

Continental Breakfast and Supplier Trade Fair

8:30 – 9:30 am

Operational Efficiency, Economic Pressure and Market Demand: How to Succeed in Plastics

Keynote Speaker: Laurie Harbour, Wipfli

9:30 – 10:00 am

Permanent Surface Activation for Direct-to-Object Decorating

Jad Darsey and Siddharth Athreya, Inhance Technologies

10:00 – 10:30 am

Packaging Trends with IML: Recycled Resins, Scannable Technology and More

Erik Johnson, Churchill Container; Christian Bruey, PureCycle

10:30 – 10:45 am

Supplier Trade Fair and Networking Break

10:45 am – 11:15 am

The Value of Pad Printing Components & Consumables

Micah Swett, Diversified Printing Techniques; Brian Bishop, Automark

11:15 am – 11:45 am

Advantages of Molding Simulation in IML/IMD

Kevin Rottinghaus, Beaumont Technologies

11:45 am – Noon

Update: IMDA’s Technical Test Procedure Guidelines Review

Erik Schnupp, General Press Corporation

Noon – 1:30 pm

Extended Buffet Lunch and Supplier Trade Fair

1:30 – 2:00 pm

Diversification in Plastics Labeling & Decorating: Good for Business, Good for Customers

Jim Naatz, Sussex IM; Jeff Cowens, CCL Label

2:00 – 2:30 pm

Beyond Laser Marking: How Laser Surface Texturing is Expanding the Role of Plastics Decoration

Rob Wilder, RAYN Technology

2:30 – 3:00 pm

Why Decorating Projects Fail, and How to Set Them Up for Success

John Kaverman, Pad Print Pros

3:00 – 3:15 pm

Technology Focus: Expanding What’s Possible with Direct-to-Object Digital Printing

Gregory Harwood, Inkcups

3:15 pm - 3:30 pm

Break and Supplier Trade Fair

3:30 – 4:00 pm

Solving Design and Production Challenges with IML & IMD

Keith Farthing, PolyFab; Peter Parker, Taghleef

4:00 – 4:30 pm

The Significance of Electrostatics in Decorating and Labeling Processes

Travis Baker, Muller Technology; Paul Uglum, Uglum Consulting

4:30 – 5:00 pm

Choosing the Right Decorating Process: Technical Pros and Cons

Michael Sansoucy, ARBURG; Gregory Harwood, Inkcups

5:00- 5:30 pm

2026 IMDA Awards

The winners of the 2026 IMDA Awards Competition are announced.

5:30 – 7:00 pm

Networking Event: Supplier Trade Fair and IMDA Awards Reception

thursday, September 3rd

>> General Session – All Attendees

8:00 – 8:30 am

Continental Breakfast

8:30 – 9:15 am

Keynote, Day 2: Deploying Generative AI in Plastics Molding and Decorating: Case Studies

Derek Moeller, CognitionWorks

9:15 – 10:00 am

Continuing Conversations: Succeeding in Today’s Plastics Industry

Laurie Harbour and Mike Devereux, Wipfli

10:00 - 11:00 am

Storyteller Sessions: An inside look at how innovative decorating objectives were achieved

Four applications will be featured, including:

  • UltraFresh Pail with Large IML: Brian Roske, MCC Global IML
  • High-SKU Digital Inkjet Package Printing: Ken Tyler, Engineered Printing Solutions
  • Medical Vials and Digital Heat Transfers: Eric Steinwachs, CDigital
  • Honeywell NOTIFIER Alarm Panel: Jeff Davison, InMold Solutions

11:00 – 11:45 am

Smart Selling: How to Set Your Company Up to Meet Sales Goals

Shelly Otenbaker, WayPoint Marketing Communications

11:45 am – Noon

Final Remarks / Conference Adjourns