Breakthrough Strategies from Leading Experts

Expert Speakers, Breakthrough Strategies

Making the World Safer with Packaging by Laura Bix, Michigan State University School of Packaging

Laura Bix, PhD, and her team attempt to quantify the interface between people and packaging to improve health outcomes. Laura is the Interim Director for the School of Packaging at Michigan State University. She leads the Packaging HUB - Healthcare, Universal Design and Biomechanics.

She has served as an expert to international and national panels. She has been an invited panelist and featured speaker at workshops sponsored by National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine and the US Center for Quality, Innovation and Patient Safety.

Expo Overview

Meet Laura Bix

High Speed Printing & Current Trends

in Printing and Packaging by Sun Chemical

Ultra high-speed machines and 5-minute make-readies have revolutionized printing. But how do old ink, technologies not built for speed, and declining personnel skill level affect the today’s printing industry? Kim Barham and Steve Howell will present “High Speed Printing is HERE!”

From geopolitical events to consumer preferences, Rick Stokes will review the events and trends affecting the printing and packaging industry in his presentation. Rick Stokes will present “Current Trends in the Printing and Packaging Markets.”

Kim Barham, Business Development Executive at Sun Chemical, has been in the printing industry for 36 years.

She began her career in Menasha, working in pressroom management for Banta Corporation.

For the past 14 years, Kim has been selling inks, coatings and adhesives for Sun Chemical.

Steve Howell, Advanced Application Specialist at Sun Chemical, has been in the printing industry for 31 years, mostly in operations management with folding carton converters. He also has worked extensively with high-speed OEM press installations.

Currently, he bridges the gap between ink development and press performance.

Rick Stokes, Vice President – Market Management at Sun Chemical, has been in the packaging industry for 34 years. He has worked in manufacturing, sales, and marketing for a wide range of adhesives, coatings, and inks.

An engineer who holds degrees in economics and marketing, Rick brings a holistic approach to problem-solving and innovation.

Meet the Sun Chemical Presenters

Sign up now to exhibit or attend at our popular 5P Showcase Expo on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at Oneida Casino Hotel in Green Bay. We have limited exhibitor space still available, so register today to secure your booth before we reach capacity.