FINAL FRAME
PHOTOGRAPH BY PATRICK FERRON
connections Making
NORTHEAST WISCONSIN HAS BOASTED SEVERAL nicknames such as the Paper Valley, the Fox Valley and Packerland, but you can now add another one to the list: Converting Corridor. Te Converting Corridor is identified as the area from the southern part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula down through Green Bay and Appleton, past Milwaukee to Chicago. Te region is home to hundreds of businesses related to the paper converting industry – businesses with processes as diverse as rewinding and sheeting, folding, packaging, coating, laminating and flexographic printing. Four years ago, Susan Stansbury founded Converting Influence, a group that
provides information via meetings and online listings. Converting Influence also holds an annual expo bringing together thousands of people from across the country involved in the converting industry. Last month, the event at the Lambeau Field Atrium provided networking and
learning opportunities. Te expo – which is the largest trade show dedicated to converters and their suppliers – also provides attendees with an opportunity to visit area businesses to see different aspects of the converting industry in action. Attendees come from across the country to connect with product developers, buyers, engineers and executives looking for contract manufacturing support.
— MaryBeth Matzek 62 | INSIGHT • Apr i l 2011 www. insightonbusiness .com
