28 minute read
Travel Updates
Travel Age West
Travel Trend Forecasts for 2022
Forecasting the future is always tricky, and 2022 is no normal year. So, in our effort to look ahead, we recruited the help of several tourism industry veterans with longtime expertise in the airline, hotel, cruise, and tour operator sectors.
Perhaps not surprisingly, those conversations focused frequently on the wide-ranging impact of COVID-19, along with the pandemic’s remarkable propensity to accelerate change.
In an era of so many ever-shifting challenges, however, one prediction appears to be certain for the tourism industry in 2022: It’s shaping up to be a year unlike any other.
Flight Costs Are Set to Fly
“Given the rise in fuel and the fact that fares were extremely low in 2020 and even up to now [in 2021], I think there will be a significant price increase in 2022,” said Peter Vlitas, executive vice president of Internova Travel Group. “What will a consumer do? Will they stay with the mainline carriers? Will they look to connect where it’s cheaper? Will they go to a low-cost carrier? No one really knows,” said Vlitas.
Business Travel May Boost Premium Economy
Although corporate travel is a long way from a full recovery, Internova’s Vlitas said the airline industry is seeing indications that many more people are now flying for work, and he expects that momentum to build next year.
That uptick is likely to help spur an increased number of premium economy cabins on planes in 2022, according to Vlitas, who expects the higher-end seats and value proposition to be popular among both vacationers and corporate travelers.
“I think the premium economy cabin is going to be very popular among leisure travelers, who want to spend a little more to get more space because we’re now accustomed to that due to the pandemic,” he said. “I also think it’s going to be very popular for businesses that want to send somebody on a trip, but because of the pandemic don’t necessarily want to spend the money for
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business class. Airlines that are now putting out these premium economy cabins are going to do very, very well. Watch that space.”
Canceled Flights Due to Labor Shortage
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released economic data on October 22 indicating that the slow rebound of the global aviation industry — along with staffing and rehiring challenges — could mean the U.S. will finish 2021 and begin 2022 with 3 million fewer airline industry employees than it had in 2019. Those vacancies and cuts may include not only fewer pilots and flight attendants, but also fewer ground crew workers, catering services positions, and a host of other job vacancies and losses where employees previously supported the domestic air travel system.
Internova’s Vlitas said many airlines have found rehiring employees to be a challenge in recent months, and the vacant pilot and flight attendant positions have already had an impact.
“What happens when you have weather that creates delays, and the delays make the crew ineligible to fly?” Vlitas asked. “When you have a shortage of crew, then you don’t have the possibility of saying, ‘Let me bring more flight attendants, let me bring another pilot.’ We’ve already seen some of that this year, where bad weather led to an unusual number of cancellations. Crews became ineligible, and airlines didn’t have backup crews to take the plane out. That will continue into 2022.”
The Labor Shortage will Continue to Limit Hotel Services
In September, research from American Hotels & Lodging Association (AHLA) revealed that the U.S. hotel industry is likely to finish 2021 with 500,000 fewer jobs than in 2019, and that an additional 1.3 million jobs in restaurants, supply businesses, and retail stores supported by hotels are also at risk.
Like airlines, hoteliers have been struggling to hire back employees. According to Ignacio Maza, executive vice president at Signature Travel Network, the resulting reduction in guest services at properties around the world is likely to continue.
“Daily housekeeping will be an option in many hotels but not necessarily the standard,” Maza said. “And things like 24-hour
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room service will also be curtailed in many properties. Guests are just going to have to be patient, and travel advisors are going to have to manage expectations prior to guests arriving on property.”
New Hotel Technology Comes to the Rescue
Signature Travel’s Maza said the pandemic has accelerated the use of technology throughout the hotel industry, and he expects that to continue in 2022, including more use of tech improvements by properties looking to combat employee shortages.
“We’re seeing more keyless doors, where you can check in with a QR code on your smartphone,” Maza said, noting these upgrades allow for fewer front desk staff. “At some hotels now, you have the ability to pick your room ahead of time and avoid stopping at the front desk entirely.”
No Signs of Slowing for New build Hotel Openings
Maza added that the pandemic has also accelerated the introduction of smart rooms, where guests can control the temperature, request room service, make dining reservations, ask for towels, and more all from an app on their smartphone. There will always be guests who expect more personal service — especially at luxury properties — according to Maza, who noted new tech hasn’t been an immediate fix for some hotels.
“Hotels cannot convert to all this new technology overnight,” he said. “But the staff shortages are not going to go away anytime soon. It is imperative for hotels to figure out ways to put their best foot forward at a time when they are not fully staffed — and won’t be anytime soon.” “Despite all the challenges the industry is facing, large hotel brands such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and InterContinental are all building hundreds of new hotels worldwide,” Maza said. “These are opening come hell or high water. For example, St. Regis is building 29 new properties from now until 2023 or 2024, which is a big increase to its footprint. Hyatt is building 300 hotels worldwide.”
City Hotels Are Innovating with New Programming
Occupancies at urban hotels haven’t yet returned to prepandemic levels, according to Signature Travel’s Maza, but they are improving, and some of that is thanks to city properties reinventing themselves.
“They are coming up with different programming to attract people living in metropolitan areas who want to stay close to home in a hotel and enjoy the pool, the spa, and the restaurant facilities,” Maza said, adding that many city hotels are creating new, imaginative programs to attract guests.
“For example, there is a wonderful hotel in Boston called The Newbury, and they are working with art curators and celebrated local art personalities so as part of your stay you can visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum with a curator or have privileged access to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston with an art expert,” Maza explained, noting he expects vacations close to home to remain popular in 2022. “Or you can have a tour of different food venues and restaurants in Boston with a food critic. Interesting new options like these almost turn the city hotel into a resort.”
Expedition Cruise Products on Course for Growth
Much like river cruising boomed over the last decade, expedition cruise products are certainly exhibiting potential for similar dramatic growth.
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And while the poles are top of mind for many consumers, warmer destinations that only small, expedition-style ships are capable of visiting have also captured the attention of a great many travelers.
Dan Blanchard, CEO of UnCruise Adventures, said his business is seeing signs of increased interest for 2022 itineraries from clientele attracted by expedition products.
“We’ve seen an uptick in new clients,” Blanchard said, noting UnCruise’s 2022 summer bookings are already ahead of 2019’s pace. “We’re actually seeing our traditional returning numbers come in, but we’re seeing a higher number of new bookings from people who haven’t sailed with us before. It’s telling us there is definitely a trend toward expedition and adventure travel.”
Permanent Changes may Come for the PVSA
Signed into law in 1886, the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) requires foreign passenger vessels sailing between U.S. ports to make at least one stop in a foreign port. So, in February of 2020, when Canadian officials banned large cruise ships from the country’s ports, no foreign-flagged or -built cruise vessels could sail to Alaska from U.S. West Coast cities without violating the PVSA maritime law.
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced a temporary exemption to the PVSA earlier this year that Congress passed in time to allow for an abbreviated cruise season in Alaska this summer, a move UnCruise’s Blanchard sees as both good and bad.
“On one hand, as an Alaskan, I sit there and go, ‘I’m glad they did something to help revive my economy,’” he explained. “Long-term, I like to describe it to people as if you have a McDonald’s on one corner that is U.S. staffed and U.S. built. And on the other corner, you have a foreign McDonald’s built on foreign costs and not paying taxes and staffed with foreign employees. How could you compete? Essentially, as small, U.S.flag operators, we’ve been doing that for 30 years.”
Talk of making changes to the PVSA has been a hot topic in Alaska and the cruise industry at large. Blanchard said he still believes a final version of those changes is yet to be decided, but he does expect Murkowski to introduce legislation in 2022 that would make lasting changes to the PVSA maritime law.
“It is a bit of an unlevel playing field when you say, ‘Ships of all sizes that are foreign flagged can come in and compete in coastwise operations,’” Blanchard said. “If this same bill were to be put forth long-term, I would object strongly.”
Sustainable, Authentic Travel Appeals to Americans
In research data released by Booking.com on Oct. 19, more than 53% of 1,000 Americans surveyed in an online poll this summer said it’s important that their vacation is beneficial to the local communities they visit.
That same Booking.com survey revealed that 64% of Americans polled want money they spend when traveling to go back to the local community they visit, and 65% of U.S. respondents want to have authentic experiences representative of the local culture they’re visiting.
Keith Sproule, executive director for Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) Philanthropy, said he’s been witnessing firsthand that increased demand for more conscientious vacations, fielding an unprecedented number of requests from travel consultants to include visits to one of A&K’s global philanthropic projects on 2022 itineraries.
“It’s a conscious desire to positively impact the destinations where they’re traveling,” Sproule said, offering as an example an American family of four planning to spend a day in Kenya, delivering water filters to schools.
“We partner with an organization called LifeStraw, which makes water filters that remove 99.99% of bacteria and 99.99% of viruses,” Sproule said. “The women who run that activity on behalf of LifeStraw are just terrific animators. People have been sitting at home thinking about what’s important, and as they’re thinking about these bucket-list-type trips, they want to make sure conscious, responsible travel is part of their vacation.”
Racial Diversity in the Travel Industry Must Improve
A&K partnered this summer with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago on a jobs initiative program aimed at introducing innercity kids to the travel and tourism industry, and Sproule said the project followed internal discussions initiated by A&K leadership, looking to apply the model of some of their overseas philanthropy to domestic issues.
“Historically, the travel industry has not been strong in terms of racial diversity,” Sproule said, noting many in the travel trade have already initiated projects aimed at promoting more gender and racial diversity, and he expects to see many more in 2022.
One such effort is the Pathways Project, a Tourism Cares initiative launched in August in partnership with The Travel Corporation, TripSchool, and the Media Arts Institute of Alabama to recruit and train historically underrepresented individuals to pursue careers in travel — especially as tour guides.
“Representation matters, and there is not enough of it in our industry,” said Richard Launder, director for The Travel Corporation USA, in a statement. “While this is true at all levels, it is especially so amongst our storytellers, guides, local specialists, and travel directors — the faces of travel in this country. We are very proud to work with our other partners on the Pathways Project, an important step toward further change.”
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Travel Advisors are Still Hurting
The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) estimates that prior to the pandemic, there were nearly 15,000 retail travel agency locations in the U.S. employing more than 108,000 people, and another 60,000 self-employed travel advisors working as independent contractors. According to Eben Peck, ASTA’s executive vice president of advocacy, more than 60,000 travel advisors had lost their jobs at the height of the pandemic.
“Some of those folks have been brought back,” Peck said. “But plenty haven’t.” Recovery has been painfully slow for many travel agencies and advisors, with average revenue levels still down 82% as of July 2021 compared to 2019, according to ASTA member surveys.
“Without any support provided, or pulling back on support that’s already been promised, you’re going to see more experienced, talented people leaving the industry because the business conditions don’t support them having a stable job,” Peck said.
Will the SAVE Act Pass?
ASTA is urging federal lawmakers to pass the Securing Access for Venue Equity (SAVE) Act (H.R. 2120), a bill introduced earlier this year with bipartisan support that would make travel agencies eligible for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, which was established by the Continuing Appropriations Act at the end of 2020.
Under this program, eligible applicants can qualify for grants of up to $10 million, equal to 45% of their 2019 gross revenue, according to Peck.
“We are fully aware the SVOG encountered challenges upon launch earlier this year, that its funding is running low and that the size and scope of future relief legislation is uncertain,” Peck explained. “That said, [the SAVE Act] is the only pending legislation that would provide direct support to travel agencies during our time of need.”
Fighting to Extend the Employee Retention Tax Credit
ASTA has also been busy lobbying lawmakers for an extension of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), which provides a refundable tax credit of up to $7,000 per employee, per quarter, for businesses whose revenue has been reduced by at least 20% during the pandemic, as compared to 2019.
Some in Washington, D.C., have, however, been arguing to end the ERTC. ASTA, on the other hand, has been urging federal lawmakers to let the ERTC not only run its course through the fourth quarter of 2021, but to also extend the legislation into 2022 and to provide extra benefits on a sliding scale for businesses suffering a 50%-75% loss in 2020 and 2021, according to Peck.
“We did a survey a couple of months ago,” Peck said. “And the question was, ‘If additional support is provided by Congress, I will restore my staffing levels to something close to 2019. Do you agree or disagree?’ The vast majority said they agree. The sense I get is the workload is there now for agencies and advisors; the bookings are there. It’s just the revenue is not there. Providing a little bit of support to this part of the travel industry now will mean more people back on the payroll and fewer people on unemployment programs.”
2021 ROTOPLAS & ARM Fall Meeting
Susan Gibson, JSJ Productions, Inc.
1: Matt Bushman honors
Past President Rick Carlsen
2: Rick Carlsen, Solar Plastics 3: Daven Claerbout,
Dutchland Plastics
4: John McElligott, York Exponential
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Celebrating, learning, and networking in person!
ROTOPLAS 2021, the largest exposition for the rotational molding industry, took place September 20-24 at the Donald E. Stephens Conference Center in Rosemont, Illinois. It ran alongside the annual 2021 ARM Fall Meeting. The successful event drew a strong attendance representing many countries as members met for the first time since the pandemic began. There were some 44 trade exhibits for Rotoplas, the business of the Association took place, and numerous awards were presented to deserving individuals for their contributions to the industry.
The conference was highly rated by the attendees as one of ARM’s best meetings ever and especially in the realm of automation and the future, which was the focus for education. The conference was preceded by three education seminars: Rotomolding 101 (Dru Laws, Tango Manufacturing); Value Added Selling (Paul Reilly, Reilly Sales Training); and Design Yin and Yang (Michael Paloian, Integrated Design Systems). Networking and collaboration were at an all-time high as industry colleagues shared their knowledge and experience in person once again.
Automation in Manufacturing - How Robotics are Changing the Way we Manufacture was the focus for keynote speaker John McElligott. He talked about embracing disruption and the seeds of disruption. “We are out of time. The time now to realize every industry will be disrupted and the developments over the next 10 years will define the next 100 years,” he said. We are now in Industry 4.0 but will soon be enter Industry 5.0. Robotics and automation are now a need if you want to complete your tasks efficiently and economically.” McElligott pointed out the first humanoid robotic was developed in 2016, and just five years later we have Atlas, a bipedal humanoid robot primarily developed by American Robotics Company Boston Dynamics with funding and oversight from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. “There have been many breakthroughs during the pandemic. The physical and digital worlds are about to collide in a big way. It will be the manufacturers that will save the world. We should be terrified but let’s be proactive instead of reactive. He said we must: 1) augment existing labor force
with digital technology while we go through this transition; 2) create a baseline for community understanding; 3) foster communication, collaboration, and coalition; and 4) not waste time and energy on solving obsolete or near obsolete challenges. “Disruption isn’t coming – it is here. Manufacturers will lead the way and with great power comes great responsibility,” he said.
McElligott was employed as a combat engineer during 9/11, specializing in demolitions, explosives, construction, and engineering, He also served as a SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) gunner and ultimately Squad Leader in the Marines. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. As Co-founder of Royal Square Development and CEO of the Squared Collective, McElligott spearheaded technology, marketing, community engagement, and investor relations, as well as being a driving force in business and economic development. A national speaker on the impact of exponential technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence, McElligott left Royal Square three years ago and is the CEO of York Exponential, a collaborative robotic company.
The Future of Automation in Rotational Molding was presented by Bob Sly and Matt Jeffries of Rotoline. The two said rotational molding will be automated for increased safety, reduced human interaction, efficiency, labor savings, less waste, and less mold damage. They highlighted the Rotoline SO 1.60, a 4-arm carousel machine that requires no labor and has full robot capabilities. Automated tooling reduces damage, increases efficiency, requires no bolts, or clamps, and provides precise locations. It can facilitate 3, 4, or 5 molds with a fast oven cycle times as low as 6 minutes and demold times as low as 5 minutes. “We haven’t seen many changes in rotomoulding machines until the last 3 or 4 years. Automation is coming,” Sly said.
Embracing Change through Technology was presented by Darin Balderson of Trilogy Plastics. The company began in 1994 with goals of improved safety, labor reduction, maximizing throughput, increased efficiencies and productivity, increased margins, improved wages and benefits, and bottom-line success
1: Dru Laws and
Daven Claerbout
2: Dru Laws and Evan Silo
3: Rick Carlsen and
Alvin Spence 4: Matt Bushman honors past President
Dru Laws
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3: Jim Hummel and Darin Balderson
4: Carlos Garcia, Sonia Ross,
Patricia Garcia, and Ralph Ross 5: Jose Gomez
6: Conchita Miranda
7: Jessica and Dru Laws
8: Orla Nugent and Jennifer
Gibson Hebert
for all. The company has made incremental improvements over the years with CNC technology. Today they operate with 13 molding machines and 6 CNC work centers. 80% of the plant’s engineered products flow through 5 CNC routers. He noted the fundamentals of CNC success are in advanced planning, communication, and execution. “You must have an organized work area, target EOQ runs, work in tandem with secondary and CNC teams. Keep routers running during breaks and lunch, be prepared for a table swap,
and do a daily review and assessment of CNC production via an engineering database,” Balderson said.
Getting Connected – What is the Best Track and Trace Method was presented by Toby Huff, PSI. Huff discussed the best traceability solution suited to rotomolders. “Track and traceability are very important for rotomolders, and it is undeniably known as the future of all manufacturing,” Huff said. He explained that considering the significant cost, resource, and productivity advantages it provides, it is not hard to see why traceability offers so many benefits to connect products with the manufacturer and the end-user. Benefits include quick and efficient identification of affected products in recalls, a higher level of quality control, insight into operational efficiency, and improved customer satisfaction.
“PSI is all about brand… it is in our blood. The future of all manufacturing is connecting the product with the rotomolder and connecting the rotomolder with the end user. This reduces cost and time and increases productivity,” Huff said.
Control Cycle Parameters and Reduce Variables Using Process Control and Live Telemetry was the topic presented by Adam Covington of Ferry Industries. Covington shared how process control
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and live telemetry can go beyond simple reporting to allow rotomolders to take better control of their cooking and cooling processes. “Labor is tough, and our future depends on how we understand the past,” said Covington. “In early machines we had limited control, whereas in current machines, we have technologies like Rotocure System Manager, Infra-Red Thermometry, data driven machines, maintenance, and remedies. “The best way to predict the future is to create it, Covington said. “There are new opportunities to do this now. It is important to have a dashboard to understand performance. What gets measured, gets managed. All this drives to the bottom line.”
ARM President Rick Carlsen presented Distinguished Service Award to Michael Paloian of Integrated Design System, Inc.
Robert Mueller and David Smith
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4: Norstar Aluminum Molds Booth
5: Carlos and Patricia Garcia
6: Auctioneer Daven Claerbout
7: Roto Polymers Booth 8: Stoner Molding Solutions Booth
1: Glenn Beall, Joyce and Ron Johannou, and Evan Silo
2: Ken Bather
3: Adam Covington 4: Harry Covington
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An Automation Journey was presented by Ken Bather of Seljan Company. Having been in the rotational molding business for 37 years, Bather traveled down memory lane and shared his insights about automation from his own experience. He talked about accomplishments with the automation we already have cut parts, saving money, something that never tires, and replaced people. Bather referred back to “a Birmingham screwdriver, a.k.a. Maslow’s Hammer or Kaplans Law. He said the same issues still exist, dimensional stability and physical access – and the solution is integration”. Robots are already doing parting lines. “We have to do so much more, and in many respects, we are our own worst enemy. Management’s job is to support the front line. Look hard at what molds you accept into the door. We can do it: we can change,” Bather said.
Why Automate was discussed by Rob Miller of RotoLoad. Miller shared the concepts of common automation technologies and practices within injection, extrusion, and blow molding processes to inspire rotomolders to think about which concepts they may be able to implement in their manufacturing process. “This is a great opportunity for molders to think outside the box, to improve efficiencies, and tackle labor shortages,” Miller said.
Smart: Rotomolding solutions towards new market trends was the topic for Jeff Herwig of Persico. Herwig shared a video used to promote the process of durable products built to perform for a number of years. He covered a fully automatic production cell made of 3x Smart machines with robotic and automated molds. Herwig also discussed a new market trend related to hydrogen tanks for electric vehicles, manufactured with Smart machinery. “Rotomolders will identify new markets for rotomoulding and understanding the possibilities of fully automatic production cells is important,” Herwig said.
Molding quality parts by staying in your processing window was the topic for Allen Schrob of NOVA Chemical. Schrob shared the benefits of producing parts with the correct processing window and the shortcomings when a part is not molded within the optimum processing window. Through recent observations, while optimizing processing conditions for the new NOVA TRx resins, they have learned that operating outside of the optimum processing window can have more dramatic implications to a rotomolded part than previously understood. Schrob reviewed the effects of some standard properties as well as ESCR, creep, and tensile properties when the rotomolding cycle has fallen outside the processing window. This included a review of both undercured and overcured part properties. “Materials with broad process windows are the molders’ best friend,” Schrob said.
Rotomoldable Acetal for Tank Applications was the topic for Adam Larkin of Celanese. Adam Larkin of Celanese, informed attendees about a single layer, low fuel permeation acetal material, developed specifically for rotational molding of tanks
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5 6 1: Bill Christain and Student Design
Winner 2021 First Place Winner
Bryce Lee (MIAD) 2: Bill Christain and 2021 Second Place
Winner Amanda Evans (MIAD) 3: Bill Christain and 2021 Third Place
Winner Szymon Salamon (MIAD) 4. ARM Hall of Fame Members
5: Jerico Plastic Industries Team hosts
Rotoplas After Party 6: Tony Short 7: Anne Rowland and Jim Hummell
8: Bill Spenceley and Chris Lefas
for a wide variety of applications. Hostafom® acetal copolymer possesses a linear structure with a highly crystalline quality that provide a variety of characteristics: outstanding wear; longterm fatigue; toughness and creep resistance; as well as excellent resistance to moisture, solvents, and strong alkalis. Larkin said its chemical structure provides a higher stability to thermal and oxidative degradation compared to acetal homopolymers. Recent developments have provided new acetal compounds that have been optimized for rotomoulding applications. The new formulas provide the opportunity for a single layer solution or alternative to secondary processes such as fluorination in applications such as fuel tanks. The newly developed formulas increase the impact resistance while still maintaining excellent resistance to fuels. These formulas have been formulated to be processed on typical rotomolding equipment and process windows.
Hydrogen Cylinders – Roto’s Role in Hydrogen Fuel Revolution was the topic for Aldo Quaratino, Matrix Polymers, who inspired attendees to look at a new market segment, and understand new technology to be implemented in rotomoulding. Billions of dollars across the globe are being invested in developing hydrogen technology to produce clean, renewable, and caron-free energy – and rotomoulding has a huge part to play. As of early 2021, over 30 countries have released hydrogen roadmaps and governments worldwide have committed public funding in support of decarbonization strategy through hydrogen technologies. These include large-scale industrial usage, transport application, integrated hydrogen economy, and infrastructure. Matrix Polymers is working with several Rotomolders and OEMs to produce cylinders for storing hydrogen for use in all forms of transportation and power generation. “This is a massive opportunity, which has the potential to take rotomolding to a new level,” Quaratino said.
Workshops for the event included: Automation Concepts for Conventional and Robomoulds; CNC Routers vs. Robot: How to Choose; Defining Automation; Setting Standard Operating Conditions for New Resins or New Parts; and What’s Your Problem.
ARM President Rick Carlsen presided over the Annual ARM Business Luncheon. The meeting included the annual ARM financial report, announcements, and committee updates. First Past President Dru Laws presented the slate of board nominees for the coming term including President (Matt Bushman, Plasticraft Corporation); Vice President (Alvin Spence, Centro Incorporated); and Secretary (Daven Claerbout, Dutchman Plastics). Going off the board was Evan Silo and Mario Poma. Newly elected to the board was Ken Bather, Siljan Company, and Scott Waterman, Axel Plastics.
President Matt Bushman said “We weathered the storm. It has been a challenging time but the fact that we are all here speaks well for the organization and the industry. The last 2 years have changed the way we do business. We are seeing rising costs and the challenges of passing these costs on. The day has come to utilize automation. We have to learn how to have less employees and manufacture better.” There were many important awards presented during the ARM Conference. Tom Murdough, Simplay3, and Dru Laws, Tango Manufacturing, were presented the highest honor the Association bestows with induction into the ARM Hall of Fame. (See article in the coming issue of RotoWorld®.) The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Michael Paloian, Integrated Design Systems. The Product of the Year awards: Centro Inc. in the Innovative/State of the Art category for the Vector product, Duracast for the Pilon Master in Conversion Category, and Roto Dynamics for Rowdy Hound took the coveted Product of the Year Award. Safety Awards went to Formed Plastics and Gregstrom Plastics. Student Design Disruption isn’t coming – it is here. Manufacturers will lead the way and with Competition Awards went to Bryce Lee, Amanda Evans, and great power comes great responsibility. Szymon Salamon, all — John McElligott, York Exponential from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Networking and celebratory events included a Golf Tournament at The Golf Club at Eaglewood in Chicago, the Annual Reception and Gala/Awards Dinner, and the Jerico Plastic After Party where attendees dressed the part and enjoyed a 70’s Music Festival theme, karaoke, and dancing. Thank you to the following sponsors for making the conference a success: Premier Sponsor – Roto Polymers, Elite Sponsor – NOVA Chemicals, Platinum Sponsor – ExxonMobil, Gold Sponsor – Celanese, along with Sponsors Jerico Plastic, Entec Polymers, M. Holland, Dow, Ferry Industries, Mosaic Roto, Muehlstein, Nexeo Plastics, Stoner, Hightower Products, Rotomachinery Group, LyondellBasell, Quantum Polymers, and Shell. We apologize if we have missed anyone! Congratulations to the ARM Board and Committees and the Webb Evans team for such a successful in-person conference for the industry. Mark your calendars now to attend the 2022 ARM Executive Forum to be held March 14-16 at the Omni Amelia Island in Florida.
