[avatar user=”janemcewen” size=”160″ align=”left”]Jane McEwen
Executive Director of the International Packaged Ice Association[/avatar]
2016 seemed to fly as the years do the older one gets. Or so they say. And the year came to a close with yet another very successful annual convention, our 99th! The summer season was prosperous and hectic for so many of you. Thus, our host property, the relaxing Texas style Hyatt Hill Country was the perfect fit for over 340 attendees for 3 days of exhibits, networking, education and social activities. With Chairman Tommy Sedler presiding and with the exuberant support of our Associate Member Exhibitors and Sponsors, you will see by the ensuing collage of pictures, it was a great Texas gathering of ice industry professionals.
Comments of appreciation to so many who made 2016 a great year with many successes for the IPIA:
To Tommy Sedler for his dedication and leadership at the helm of the IPIA and to Leah for all her behind the scenes assistance, ideas and wordsmithing… To our Gold, Silver, Bronze and special CAII Sponsors… To Sandy for being my right hand so effectively and To Karen, Maria, and Michelle for their enduring commitment to the success of our annual conventions and the ‘Magic Cups’ in Texas… To the keen presenters Chris Dunn on FSMA/PIQCS , Chris Lamond on Public Affairs and our popular John Sullivan on the financial issues of the year… To keynoter Dr. Kevin Elko with his Grit and Leadership message of Culture, Unity over Self, Connection, Listen, Process using their gift and to Shut Down the Mental Clutter… To Steve McLemore of the Goering Center and his insightful Best Practices of a Family Business session… To Strategic Planning Chair Brent Bonvarlez for his refreshers on the 5 year plan… To our exhibitors and the lively red, white and blue Election Night party in the exhibit hall… To the 3rd annual Signature Cocktail Contest and this year the winning team of Modern Ice… what a loaded Texas drink!… To the fabulous Chairman’s Party ‘Tommy’s Tailgate’ the wings, sliders and other tailgate fare plus a band to close out the IPIA century was all phenomenal… Appreciation To all of the members and non-members who attended!
A special thank you is in order to the Mireles family at Mireles Party Ice and the Reddy Ice team. Attendees flocked to the 2 plant tours this year, Mireles the first tour hosted a great lunch and the 2nd tour of Reddy Ice hosted the 2nd annual Ice Bag Throwing contest, it was a special afternoon. Again, your efforts are very appreciated.
2nd Annual Ice Bag Throwing Contest
[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”10″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_thumbnails” override_thumbnail_settings=”1″ thumbnail_width=”200″ thumbnail_height=”135″ thumbnail_crop=”1″ images_per_page=”3″ number_of_columns=”0″ ajax_pagination=”1″ show_all_in_lightbox=”0″ use_imagebrowser_effect=”0″ show_slideshow_link=”0″ slideshow_link_text=”[Show slideshow]” template=”default” order_by=”filename” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]Congratulations to Jerry Counsell for a much deserved induction into the IPIA Industry Hall of Fame! What a special part of our final closing reception there with his wife Marsha, brother Tim and other family for the induction presentation. What a surprise (Sort-of, thanks to the AV tech) for Jerry.
Congratulations to North Star Ice and John Smibert for being awarded the 6th annual Bill Berkoski Advocacy Award… well deserved for his years of work in Canada for consistent standards and his promotion and passion for the IPIA… and our first Canadian recipient!
To Past Chairman John Smibert, Directors Walter Berry and Brian Washnock whose Officer and Director terms have ended… We thank you!
99th Annual Convention Gallery
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The passing of the gavel at the convention heralds a new year with the Officers comprising the Executive Committee moving positions by the vote of the Board: our new Chairman of the Board, Dann Ades, Cold Star Ice, new Vice-Chairman/Treasurer Jeff Tyler, Tyler’s Super Quality Ice, new Secretary/Assistant Treasurer, David Bryant, The Ice Man and Immediate Past Chairman Tommy Sedler, Home City Ice and new Associate Conference Chair, Don Hutton , Cascades Flexible Packaging. These gentlemen are passionate about their Officer roles and are accessible so please reach out to them as they lead the IPIA through 2017. And serving alongside the Executive Committee are the 7 Directors, Committee Chairs and numerous Committee Members. Congrats to 2017 Officers and Directors. You can see the listing of these individuals who give of their time and energies to serve your association on a subsequent page.
I look forward to a great year with Chairman Dann, our Directors and Committees! The plate will be full with not only the task of unifying PIQCS with FSMA, but also with continuing objectives for Public Affairs, Marketing and other committee initiatives. The IPIA, its Officers, Directors and Committee volunteers will put in the effort and passion to continue our progress of meeting our goals and objectives as defined by our members in the Strategic Plan.
Please mark your 2017 calendar for November 14-18 for our 100th Annual Convention and Trade Show to be held at the Hyatt Huntington Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, CA… Surf City USA All I will say, this happens maybe once a lifetime and you can bet, it is going to be special.
Most of all, I wish all of you and your families a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous 2017!