Ameripen’s annual Summit to focus on packaging policy, EPR

The American Institute for Packaging and the Environment (Ameripen), Washington, will host is 2025 annual Summit June 10-12 at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town in Virginia.

The event is open exclusively to Ameripen members and invited guests and will convene policymakers, regulatory staff and leaders from across the packaging value chain for three days of timely discussion, in-depth workshops and strategic networking.

Ameripen says the Summit is designed to support members as they navigate one of what it calls the “most transformative years in packaging policy,” offering practical guidance and collaborative dialogue on extended producer responsibility (EPR) implementation, state and federal legislative trends and the future of sustainable packaging in the United States.

RELATED: Ameripen engages on EPR legislation at New York fly-in | Ameripen names executive director

With EPR laws now enacted in multiple states and new proposals actively under consideration, Ameripen says the Summit arrives at a pivotal moment for the industry, adding that it continues to lead the charge in advocating for workable, data-driven policy, and its annual event serves as a critical platform for aligning across sectors and advancing shared priorities.

Key features of the event include Capitol Hill Day, where participants will visit Congressional offices to educate and advocate on behalf of the packaging industry, and a series of regulatory and legislative panels featuring state and local officials, compliance leaders and national policymakers.

Attendees also will take part in interactive workshops and roundtables focused on topics such as EPR rollout, end market development, recyclability and enforcement. Throughout the event, Ameripen says there will be ample networking opportunities to build meaningful connections with industry peers, lawmakers and sustainability experts.

This year’s keynote session will feature Ciaran Little, global vice president of business development at Smithers. In an address titled “Packaging into 2050: What to Expect from Demographic and Service Shifts,” Little will examine long-term global packaging demand, materials and the intersection of packaging policy with design. He’ll also explore how the rise of omni-commerce is shifting design.

This year’s summit also marks the first official Ameripen member event under the leadership of new Executive Director Lynn Dyer, who was appointed in May following a national search and is expected by the organization to further strengthen its position as a policy thought leader.

“With EPR implementation officially underway, the 2025 Summit couldn’t come at a more important time,” Dyer says. “This is where policy and industry meet—where members can shape the conversation, build consensus and align for meaningful progress.”

Ameripen members and invited guests can access registration information, lodging and a full agenda at the organization’s website.