Packaging-graphics alumni gather for third annual P3 Forum ‘Sustain + Ability’

CLEMSON — Clemson University alumni working in the packaging design and graphics field are gathering Monday and Tuesday for a reunion of the minds. The third annual P3 Forum (People + Printing + Packaging) will focus on sustainability and how professionals in the packaging graphics industry can make a positive impact.

Launched in 2016, the Clemson Packaging Graphics Association formed to include alumni from graphic communications and packaging science. Together, they created the annual P3 Forum which launched in 2017 to gather packaging printing alums for two days each year to renew acquaintances, share best practices, discuss industry trends and further their careers.

Eric Ferguson, ’99, photonic printing sales director at DataLase, has been coordinating this year’s event with fellow alumni.

“For our third P3 Forum, I’m most excited by the chosen topics of fellow Clemson alumni presenters, who have an enormous range and depth of experience to share,” said Ferguson. “I see this as an opportunity to really hone our collective knowledge on the business challenge that is most pressing to solve… sustainability.”

Forum topics will cover sustainability in careers, the supply chain, packaging, graphics and more. The overarching theme: How do graphics align with a more sustainable future and how can we be integral to the solution?

“Graphics people often leave it to others to solve these problems and tune out of the conversation, but that’s a big mistake,” continued Ferguson. “The issue goes well beyond just thinking about recycling and waste, to the core question any successful business has to answer: what efficiencies and value will we deliver to our customers? And that’s where Clemson alumni have always made our mark.”

This year’s P3 Forum will feature a Monday night mixer with senior graphics students where attendees will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with former Clemson quarterback Tahj Boyd. The following day will feature peer presentations, lunch and a fun Shark Tank-style activity at the Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics.

For more information on the event, contact Eric Ferguson at eric.ferguson@datalase.com or 770-289-5085.

The full schedule is as follows (click here to download):

Monday 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Senior Class and Alumni Mixer
Located in Godfrey Hall. Meet-and-greet with former Clemson football quarterback, Tahj Boyd.

Tuesday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Located at the Sonoco Institute.

Making a Sustainable Career
Sarah Byrd
Executive Recruiter
Kester Search Group

Real World Sustainability, What’s Possible?
Courtney Cloninger
Packaging Engineer
Burt’s Bees

Sustainability Throughout the Supply Chain
Darshana Jariwala
Supply Chain Consultant
Danone North America

A Sustainable Method for Metallic Decoration
Matthew Hirsch
CTO/Co-Founder
Lumii

Packaging Sustainability / Recycling
Elizabeth Rhue
Sustainability & National Accounts Manager
Sonoco Recycling

State of the Department
Chip Tonkin
Department Chair, Graphic Communications
Clemson University