42 WESTERN PALLET
Building What's Next
The 2026 WPA Annual Meeting felt like more than a conference. It felt like a reset, a recommitment, and a clear signal of where this industry is headed. After a few days back home, I keep coming back to one word: inspired.
Inspired by the people who showed up ready to contribute, challenge, and build something meaningful together. Inspired by conversations that moved beyond surface updates into real discussions about leadership, advocacy, and the future of our workforce.
One of the highlights this year was the momentum behind the Advocacy and Insights Committee. The committee is creating clearer channels for engagement, gathering actionable insights, and ensuring member voices are represented as regulatory, labor, and operational issues evolve.
A key priority for the year ahead is helping members stay informed and prepared as major policy conversations unfold. We are closely following developments such as SB 54 in California, currently the leading packaging Extended Producer Respons- ibility law in the United States. While legislation may originate in one state, its implications rarely stay there. Over time, it shapes expectations, supply chains, and customer requirements across the country. Our goal is simple: help pallet companies understand what is happening, what it means in practical terms, and how we can respond together rather than individually.
The emphasis this year is on participation and transparency, building a foundation where members feel informed, heard, and able to contribute. It is about building a stronger, more connected WPA that remains grounded in the realities of running pallet businesses and advocating in ways that truly support our members.
If this is a conversation you care about, I encourage you to get involved. The Advocacy and Insights Committee is open to members who want to share perspective, ask questions, and help shape what comes next. Whether you have been in the industry for decades or are newer to it, your voice matters, and this is one of the most direct ways to help guide the future of the WPA and the pallet industry.
That spirit of connection carried through the entire meeting, especially during the
That spirit of connection carried through the entire meeting, especially during the Women’s Luncheon, which I had the privilege of organizing. Seeing more than 45 women in one room, representing every corner of this industry, was powerful. Each has taken a different path, faced different challenges, and built her own version of success. Bringing that group together created space for honest conversation, shared experience, and encouragement.
The luncheon was elevated by insights shared by Jenna Hermans and Niree Kodaverdian, Ph.D. Their reflections on authenticity, courage, and boundaries resonated deeply. The message was clear: leadership is not about fitting a mold. It is about knowing who you are, protecting what matters, and giving yourself permission to lead in a way that creates freedom for yourself and others.
Justin Hegsted’s message as our newly appointed President tied it all together. His call to “Lift where we stand” reminded us that progress does not require perfect conditions. It requires commitment, effort, and the willingness to lead where you are.
As Kyle Hermans said in his keynote, “The future you hold in your mind drives your actions and behavior.” After this meeting, I see a future defined by collaboration, thoughtful advocacy, and leaders willing to invest in people.
Let’s carry that energy forward and keep inspiring all year.