Challenging Winter Gives Way to Hope for Breakthroughs

Thomas Tusser wrote in a 16th-century poem, “Sweet April showers do spring May flowers.” In the 19th century, it became a common proverb: “March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers.” And today, it is a familiar expression in English-speaking countries: “April showers bring May flowers.”

While an acknowledgment of the end of a long winter and the often-rainy month of April giving way to flowers blooming in May, it’s also figuratively an expression for a time of discomfort or hardship giving way to a time of relief and happiness.

So, the saying goes.

It seems apropos for this time of year, as well, when over 40 state legislatures were in session by the end of January and 30 of those sessions are scheduled to be adjourned this spring.

For those familiar with and intimately involved in lobbying and influencing state legislators, the early part of the year is often incredibly challenging and can sometimes seem like it’s never going to end. It eventually does—or at least slows down some—and our evenings and weekends are less filled with reading bills and drafting testimony.

One focus of this issue of FlexPack VOICE® is breakthroughs. Time will tell if we achieved any breakthroughs within the state legislatures this year like the packaging industry accomplished in May 2024 with the enactment of the more reasonable extended producer responsibility law in Minnesota that the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) actively supported.

But rest assured that John Richard, FPA’s director of government relations, and Andy Hackman and Edwin Borbon, both with Serlin Haley, our multistate contract lobbying consultant, are working tirelessly to secure more advancements and protect the flexible packaging industry from onerous laws and regulations.

Awards Competition

Another focus of this issue is awards. I’m excited to join you here to read more about FPA’s Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards and winners, who were announced at our annual meeting in March in Miami.

FPA has conducted this competition since 1956 to showcase the industry’s innovation and the advances that have changed packaging. Award categories include expanding the use of flexible packaging, technical innovation, sustainability, printing, and shelf impact. Congratulations to our nominees and winners for their achievements in flexible packaging.

Speaking of awards, FPA’s 21st annual Student Flexible Packaging Design Challenge was underway in February. The challenge honors flexible packaging solutions developed by students who create flexible package products that address a packaging issue such as consumer convenience or product protection. Winners will be announced early this month, and we’ll highlight those winners and the challenge in FlexPack VOICE® later this year.

Dan Felton
President & CEO
Flexible Packaging Association

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