A Day of Purpose, Passion, and Progress
Reflections from Day 1, from Gillian Garside-Wight, Director of Consulting, Aura.
What an event. What a city. And what a mission.
Although I’ve now returned from Boston, the energy and inspiration from SPC Advance 2025 is still reverberating. Day 1 was a masterclass in collaboration, foresight, and storytelling, and I wanted to share some of the moments that made it unforgettable.
Opening Main Stage: Paul Nowak’s Rallying Cry
Paul Nowak (Executive Director GreenBlue/Sustainable Packaging Coalition) opened the main stage with a deeply personal and inspiring keynote. He shared a powerful message:
“Humans have the ability to face huge life-changing events and still thrive in the future – there is hope!”
His call to Regroup, Recharge, and Respond was more than a theme, it was a challenge to every delegate to reflect, reset, and recommit. The openness and honesty of his personal journey set a tone of authenticity that carried through the day.
Andrew Winston: Sustainability Is Not Optional
Sustainability writer and speaker, Andrew Winston, took the stage to address headlines claiming the end of corporate sustainability. His response was clear and compelling:
“Gigatrends, from energy to packaging, are reshaping the world beneath us. They’re bigger than reactionary politics.”
It reminds us that sustainability isn’t a trend. It’s a transformation. And it’s here to stay.
Dr. Noelle Trent: Legacy and the Power of Sacrifice
In one of the most moving moments of the day, Dr. Noelle Trent (President & CEO Museum of African American History) spoke about the Museum of African American History in Boston. She described the floorboards of the African Meeting House not as wood, but as symbols of sacrifice:
“With what little they had, they gave for a future that they would not see.”
Her words resonated deeply with the sustainability mission, reminding us that the work we do today lays the foundation for generations to come.
Gillian Garside-Wight: Illuminating the Future of Packaging
I also delivered a presentation titled “Scenarios 2025: Illuminating the Future of Packaging.” It explored how macro forces, from climate change to technological innovation, are reshaping packaging’s role in society.
Drawing on Aura’s foresight models, I demonstrated how businesses can:
- Future-proof packaging strategies
- Unlock long-term value across the packaging value chain
- Navigate seismic shifts in consumer expectations and legislation
The insights I shared aimed to give a powerful reminder of the strategic importance of packaging in a sustainable future.
Major Announcement: The Retailer Forum
To close the main stage, Paul Nowak and Olga Kackhook (Director, Sustainable Packaging Coalition) unveiled a game-changing initiative: the Retailer Forum. Founding members Walmart, Target, Amazon, and CVS are joining forces to tackle sustainable packaging challenges.
Their first mission?
Scaling low-barrier flexible packaging films, a key bottleneck in packaging progress. This collaboration marks a new era of industry-wide action and shared responsibility.
Not Forgetting the Balloon Debate: Walking in Someone Else’s Packaging Shoes
Later in the day, I joined in a thought-provoking Balloon Debate, moderated by my colleague, Trevor Yong. Panelists included:
- John Avolio (Nova Chemicals)
- Daniella Kohler (Stora Enso)
- Cheryl Lam (Walmart)
- Gillian Garside-Wight (Aura)
Each took on a different persona to argue why they should remain in the metaphorical balloon. The debate was interactive, humorous, and insightful, with the audience ultimately crowning Cheryl Lam as the winner, representing the perspective of a ‘service provider’.
A Touch of Elegance
Adding to the atmosphere, live music from The Venus Quartet, formed by Berklee Boston Conservatory alumni, played classical and pop arrangements throughout the main stage sessions. It was a beautiful reminder that sustainability and culture go hand in hand.
Final Thoughts
Day 1 of SPC Advance Boston wasn’t just a conference, it was a convergence of ideas, values, and action. From personal reflections to industry-shifting announcements, every moment reinforced the urgency and opportunity of sustainable transformation.
Let’s carry this momentum forward. Let’s build the future together.
Find out more about Aura, and how we partner with clients to proactively future proof their packaging today, for tomorrow here.
