Laurent Sellier and Will Cain to headline Corrugated Week 2026 in Fort Worth

Fort Worth to host over 1,400 industry professionals

The Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (@TAPPI) and the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (@AICC) have officially announced the keynote lineup for Corrugated Week 2026. Laurent Sellier, President and CEO of Smurfit Westrock North America, and Will Cain, political analyst and host of The Will Cain Show, will headline the quadrennial event, scheduled for September 28-30 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Texas.

Sellier's opening address is highly anticipated across the containerboard and packaging sectors. Taking the helm of the North American division following the landmark July 2024 merger of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock, Sellier oversees an integrated network of roughly 305 locations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. His perspective is expected to shed light on the operational realities of merging two packaging giants, the strategic shift toward mega-plants, and current performance metrics driving the North American corrugated market.

Macroeconomics and converting technology

While Sellier will provide deep industry insights, Will Cain is slated to deliver the closing keynote, zooming out to address the broader economic and cultural forces shaping American manufacturing. For an industry heavily reliant on consumer spending and retail health, Cain's macroeconomic overview will offer strategic context for packaging executives looking toward 2027 and 2028.

The event itself promises to be a crucial gathering point for the sector. Organizers project an attendance of more than 1,400 professionals representing over 25 countries. The nearly sold-out exhibition floor will feature more than 145 leading suppliers demonstrating the latest advancements in equipment and plant solutions.

Attendees at Corrugated Week 2026 will also benefit from targeted educational tracks, focusing on:

• Artificial intelligence implementation for plant floor management.
• Output maximization strategies for rotary die-cutting.
• Workflow optimization and automated visual inspection systems.

Complementing the technical sessions, post-conference plant tours on October 1 will give attendees a firsthand look at local converting operations, including facilities like Harris Packaging and American Carton Company.

Hearing directly from the leadership of a combined powerhouse like Smurfit Westrock provides the exact market clarity independent converters and suppliers need to calibrate their operations right now. Will the continued consolidation at the top of the containerboard market drive independent plants toward faster adoption of AI and automation to protect their margins? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai