Iwelcome you to the latest edition of Converting Quarterly. I hope you find this issue’s content to be informative and valuable.
I’ll start by reflecting on 2025 and looking forward to 2026. As I am sure we are all aware of, 2025 represented many challenges in our businesses, much of which was centered on global financial uncertainty. Let’s hope that 2026 results in improved global financial stability, which will lead to an improved business climate.
As we move into 2026, we at ARC are excited about two changes that have occurred since our last issue of Converting Quarterly.
The first of these is the change in our publisher. This is the first issue that is being provided by our new publisher, YGS Association Solutions. We welcome their staff, who will provide us with expert support as we continue to work on improving and growing both our printed and online presence. Associated with this change, it is with great appreciation that I thank our previous publisher Peterson Media Group for their many years of serving our association. The hard work of their staff, including Sandy Haresty, Dianna Brodine, Jeff Peterson, Mark Spalding, and Janet Dunnichay, has been instrumental in making us the premier publication in our industry.
The second of these changes is the addition of Simon Cheung as ARC’s business development director. Simon, who comes to us with extensive experience in the web converting industry, will be focused on expanding our membership, particularly in adding new converters. As indicated in previous president’s letters, expanding our membership in this area is a key goal of our association, and we are confident that the addition of Simon will help drive us in that direction. Of particular importance to our board of directors is the fact that Simon resides in Europe, allowing us to focus on increasing our association’s footprint in that market.
Moving into 2026 and coming off two highly successful ARC Exchanges this past fall, we look forward to our upcoming R2R USA, scheduled for May 19–21 in Cleveland. This year’s conference, which includes multiple technical tracks in areas such as coating and laminating, web handling, vacuum metalizing, sustainability, and printing, includes an expanded exhibit hall as well as our annual business meeting. I hope to see all of you in Cleveland in May.
Regards,
Bob PasqualePresidentAssociation for Roll-to-Roll Converters
