Spring 2026 Conference
Tucson, Arizona
Program
PRE-CONFERENCE EVENTS
The PRA/PRG/PCA and FRC activities listed below are available only to members of the Foam Recycling Coalition and/or the Paper Recovery Alliance/Plastic Recovery Group of FPI. (This is separate from standard FPI membership.) To verify your company’s membership in either of the groups, please check the list on our website. If your company is not a member of the FRC or PRA/PRG and you would like more information, please contact us. Please also note that the Board of Directors is for current Board members only.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 28
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Board of Directors meeting (current Board members only)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29
8:00 am – 11:30 am: Paper Recovery Alliance/Plastics Recovery Group/Paper Cup Alliance Meeting (PRA/PRG/PCA members only)
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MAIN CONFERENCE EVENTS
The following activities are included with your conference registration, with the exception of the golf tournament (additional fee required):
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Golf Tournament with box lunch (optional add-on – extra fee applies)
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Welcome Reception/Dinner
THURSDAY, APRIL 30
8:00 am – 10:00 am: Foam Recycling Coalition Breakfast Meeting (FRC members only)
9:00 am – 10:00 am: Breakfast for All Attendees
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10:00 am – 11:30 am: Special Pre-Conference Session and Dialogue:
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Foodservice Packaging Session & Member Dialogue
Session Lead: Carol Patterson, FPI’s Vice President of Government Relations
Join us for a high level overview of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a growing policy concept gaining momentum in the United States, including the types of obligations EPR programs create and the potential implications for the foodservice packaging industry. This overview is designed both for those new to EPR and for members interested in a deeper dive as part of the session dialogue.
External stakeholders have been invited and may also be available to share additional perspectives and guidance.
The session will include an open forum for participants to raise questions, share insights, and identify where further guidance or industry support may be most valuable.
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11:30 am – 1:30 pm: Lunch
1:30 pm – 4:00 pm: General Session*
- Brand Panel:
This panel will explore how brands approach foodservice packaging within their broader business objectives, including the role packaging plays in supporting overarching priorities and how those priorities have shifted over the past few years. Panelists will be asked to reflect on what they value most—and find most challenging—about the current foodservice packaging landscape, as well as how they gather and integrate feedback from internal and external stakeholders into packaging decisions. The discussion will also address desired changes in the industry, ways suppliers could better support organizational needs, and panelists’ perspectives on the future direction of foodservice packaging and where they see the industry headed.
- State of the Restaurant Industry
Chad Moutray, National Restaurant Association
Chad Moutray is senior vice president for research & knowledge and chief economist at the National Restaurant Association, where he leads economic analysis, data-driven insights, and thought leadership for business leaders in the restaurant and foodservice industry. A recognized expert on economic trends, he frequently shares his perspectives through professional presentations, media interviews, and industry reports.
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Reception/Dinner
FRIDAY, MAY 1
8:00 am – 9:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 am – 11:00 am: General Session*
- Foodservice Trends
Huy Do, Datassential
Huy Do is a Trendologist and Research & Insights Manager at Datassential, where he helps the food and beverage industry make sense of what’s happening now—and what’s coming next. At Datassential, he leads the development of forward-looking studies that explore emerging food and beverage trends, shifts in consumer behavior, as well as the many economic, technological, and cultural forces shaping them. Above all, Huy strives to merge data with storytelling to make complex research clear, engaging, and actionable. A frequent speaker and media contributor, he has spoken at conferences such as the CIA’s Menus of Change Summit and has been quoted by outlets including MarketWatch and CNBC. He holds a B.S. from Northwestern University and an M.A. from DePaul University.
- FPI Semi-Annual Membership Forum
Members will receive a financial update and hear how FPI is progressing with its key focus areas for 2026.
11:00 am: Adjourn
* Please note speakers and schedule are subject to change.
Registration
Registration
The registration fees for the conference are as follows:
| Registration Category | by April 6 | April 7 – 23 | April 24-onsite |
| Converter/Supplier/Associate Member | $1,499 | $1,599 | $1,699 |
| Operator/Distributor Member | $799 | $899 | $999 |
| Potential Member (see below) | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Spouse* | $229 | $229 | $229 |
Registration includes all activities note as main conference events on the program. Please note that certain events are restricted or may require an extra fee for participation.
Member Registration (Converter/Supplier/Associate/Operator/Distributor):
Members of FPI may register one of two ways:
- Register online. Your login is your email address. If you do not remember your password, click here to retrieve it. You may also register online if paying by check and ACH. Select “bill me” at the checkout option. Important: Your order confirmation is your invoice and payment is due prior to the start of the conference.
- You may download a registration form that can be faxed or scanned back to FPI.
Potential Member Registration:
This category applies to qualified converter, supplier and machinery companies considering FPI membership that are attending an FPI conference for the first time. FPI approval is required for processing. For additional information, please contact us. Please note – potential member registrants are unable to register online and must use the downloadable form.
Non-Member Registration:
Non-member companies are not eligible to participate. Please see the above potential member description if you wish to consider FPI membership.
* The spouse/partner fee covers all food functions included in main conference activities (see program). Spouse/partner registration does not include participation in the general sessions or committees.
Note: All registration fees are in US dollars
Hotel
Omni Tucson National Resort & Spa
2727 W Club Dr.
Tucson, AZ 85742
Phone: (520) 297-2271
Room reservations:
FPI’s group rate of $279 (plus tax & $20 resort fee) is available until April 6 – or – until the block sells out, so please make your arrangements early.
To make your reservations:
- Click here to book online.
- Call hotel reservations at 800-THE-OMNI and reference FPI Spring Conference
Golf Tournament
Golf Tournament
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
12:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Sonoran Golf Club
Fee
$210 – includes greens fees, cart and a box lunch
Rentals
Golf club rentals are available at an extra cost of $75 (+ tax) and will be paid to the course directly.
Tournament format
Scramble
Dress code
Collared shirt and Bermuda shorts or pants required. No denim or metal spikes.
Alcoholic beverages/food
Alcoholic beverages and food via the course’s beverage carts will be available at your own expense.
Course Description
Designed by 2006 Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman, the Sonoran course opened in December 2005 to enthusiastic reviews. This desert-style layout features steep elevation changes and some unusual uphill/downhill shot opportunities not typically found in Tucson. The Sonoran offers spectacular vistas of natural beauty of the surrounding terrain.
Pairings
Pairings will be requested approximately 2 weeks prior to the tournament. FPI will accommodate pairings requests to the best of our ability to avoid pairings with direct competitors. Note that individuals from the same company will be paired together, unless requested otherwise.
Details:
April 29 – May 1, 2026
Venue:
Omni Tucson
2727 W Club Dr
Tucson, AZ 85742
(520) 297-2271
Directions