NACD's 2020 Annual Convention — taking place May 12-15 — will be a one-of-a-kind private event for NACD Distributor Members and Supporting Suppliers.

Distributors contact staff for your coupon code (one per company). More registration instructions below.

Schedule

(Subject to change-please note a different day pattern)

Tuesday, May 12

8:00am - 10:30am Board of Directors Meeting (Board Members Only) 

11:30am - 1:30pm Industry Advisory Council (IAC) Meeting 

5:00pm - 6:00pm First Timers Reception

6:00pm - 9:00pm Welcome Reception

Wednesday, May 13

7:00am - 8:00am General Breakfast

7:00am - 8:00am Henry Hoffman Board of Directors Breakfast

8:00am - 10:30am Speed Networking

10:45am - 12:00pm General Session-Keynote Robert O’Neill

12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch

12:00pm - 4:00pm Spouse Event (to be announced)

1:15pm - 1:45pm Membership Meeting

1:15pm - 2:00pm Supplier Benchmarking Briefing (Suppliers Only)

2:30pm - 3:30 pm Benchmarking Survey (Distributors Only)

6:00pm - 10:00pm Off-Site Dinner at Grand Old House

Thursday, May 14

7:00am - 8:30am Breakfast Buffet

8:30am - 10:00am General Session-Keynote Ben Varquez

10:30am - 12:30pm Charity Event -Sea Turtle Release

6:30pm - 10:30pm Gala Reception & Awards Dinner

Friday, May 15

9:00am-3:00pm Tour: Catamaran to Sting Ray City and Lunch at Rum Point

Speakers

Robert J. O’Neill
Former SEAL Team Six Leader, Naval Special Warfare Development Group
New York Times Best-Selling Author

Rob O’Neill is one of the most highly-decorated combat veterans of our time and the author of the New York Times best-selling memoir The Operator: Firing the Shots That Killed Osama bin Laden and My Years as a SEAL Team Warrior. A former SEAL Team Six leader with the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, he deployed more than a dozen times and held combat leadership roles in more than 400 combat missions in four different theaters of war. A highly-trained Navy SEAL, he led the military’s most elite and was involved in our nation’s most important campaigns. With most of his career shrouded in a classified cloak, O’Neill was the man on the ground we have never heard of but know exists. He was one of the quiet professionals performing the most difficult tasks in the most difficult circumstances, serving his remarkable career in the shadows and keeping America safe in the process. 

In the world of high-pressure Navy SEAL missions, instant, critical decision-making is a necessity for success. He has proven experience in exceptionally high-risk and fluid environments. Having trained more than 800 special operations and tactical operators, O’Neill brings this unique expertise to organizations and translates his elite SEAL team training into high-impact, actionable insights on leadership, decision-making, operating in uncertain environments, and how to become the ‘best of the best.’ Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, his mantra is “never quit,” and he believes this is the single most important factor in determining success. O’Neill reminds us that the servicemen doing the dirtiest work are often making the hardest sacrifices. 

Decorations. One of the nation’s most decorated veterans, O’Neill has been decorated more than 52 times with honors, including two Silver Stars, four Bronze Stars with Valor, a Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, three Presidential Unit citations, and two Navy/Marine Corps Commendations with Valor. Silver Stars, the military’s third highest honor, are awarded for extraordinary gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States. Bronze Stars with Valor are awarded for merit, with Valor signifying a heroic act and direct participation in combat operations. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the ninth highest military award overall. Joint Service Commendation Medals are given for senior service on a joint military staff and is the most senior of the commendation medals.   

Military History. O’Neill rose to the rank of senior chief petty officer in the United States Navy and served as a team leader at DEVGRU, positions not come by easily. O’Neill has a laundry list of certifications, including instructor, physical trainer, master training specialist, special warfare sniper and breacher, diving supervisor, and survival expert. He was also an officer in charge of small arms, demolition, close quarters combat, explosives breaching, fire and maneuvers, and laser systems safety. His military air operations qualifications include high-altitude and high-opening free fall jump master, tandem and bundle master, parachute rigger, master naval parachutist, drop zone safety officer, and air operations trainer/examiner and quality assurance inspector. He has completed more than 1000 jumps. 

Since leaving active duty, O’Neill is a co-founder of Your Grateful Nation, which provides individualized transition support for Special Operations heroes and their families. They provide executive-level mentoring, transition services, and family stabilization support.  

Ben Varquez
Partner, Whistle Work

Many plastics industry professionals struggle to find candidates to fill their job openings. Low unemployment, while a great sign for the economy, compounds this issue. In this session, you will take an all-encompassing look at developing, recruiting and retaining your future workforce. You’ll learn best practices by reviewing multiple research studies, engaging with experts and analyzing real-life examples of what Millennials and Gen-Z are looking for in a career and employer. 

Ben Varquez is a partner at Whistle Work, an employer and industry branding, recruiting and retention solution. He’s also the managing director of Youth Marketing Connection, the largest student-focused marketing agency in the United States. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with industry leaders such as Google, Capital One and Spotify and leading trade and professional associations such as the American Institute of CPAs and the Center for Audit Quality. Varquez is a graduate of The George Washington University’s School of Business, an outdoor enthusiast and a lifelong learner. He enjoys cooking, building furniture and playing ultimate frisbee. 

Networking Events

There are many exciting networking events at the convention. 

Speed Networking
Distributors and Suppliers will have a chance to sign up for individual, private appointments with leaders in the industry. There will be opportunities to meet with up to 10 different companies. Please register early to ensure your preferred appointments are available. 

Off-Site Dinner at Grand Old House

 A legend of the Island, this former plantation house established in 1908 is retaining the charm of the past catering to the present and the future. With its panoramic waterfront seaside terrace, colonial style indoor dining serving local and international flavor, award winning Wine list, Cuban Cigar collection and more. This is a great opportunity to meet people at the convention and share some local cuisine. 

Charity Event-Sea Turtle Release
Join NACD as we sponsor "head-start" sea turtles as they are released into the wild after being hatched in captivity. This unique experience will have a lasting impact on the Cayman Island's ecosystem. 

Catamaran Tour to Sting Ray City & Lunch at Rum Point

 Join us on this option tour on Friday to see experience one of the most exciting attractions in the Caribbean. We will take a private boat to Sting Ray City where you'll have the chance to get in the water and interact with wild sting rays. After, we will go to Rum Point, the home of the mudslide and enjoy lunch and drinks in a casual atmosphere. 

Registration

Click here to register. You will need to sign in as a member in order to be eligible to attend. Let staff know if you don't have your username/password.

Distributors contact staff for your coupon code (one per company). We encourage you to register online, first registering yourself, then adding your spouse, etc.

After selecting your attendee type, confirming your contact information, and selecting your registration, you will be asked to indicate all events you are attending. If a tour has an added fee, you will be prompted to select the ticket for that event.

If you have questions, please contact staff.

Special Needs

• Alert NACD staff if you have any personal requirements regarding your attendance at this meeting that arise under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Alert NACD staff if you have any dietary restrictions that NACD should be aware of regarding your attendance at this meeting.
  

Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman

Book your room here today. There are a variety of options available. NACD is covering the cost of the resort fee so room rates are $399/night. 

Experiences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman are designed to engage and inspire hotel guests. Romantic strolls along the soft coral sand of Seven Mile Beach. A challenging round of golf beneath the cerulean Caribbean sky. An indulgent body scrub with diamond powder. A seven-course menu showcasing local seafood. A glimpse of underwater life from a glass-bottom boat. 

If the room you're looking for is only available for limited days, we recommend you reserve the room for the available days and then contact the hotel to extend the reservation within the discounted rate. Staff is always happy to help!

Sponsorships

Get your brand in front of the key decision makers of elite packaging distributors, speak to the entire Convention audience, and introduce your newest products and services. Sponsorship menus will be available shortly. 

General Info

Special Rules
No one shall schedule or conduct any event, function, or meeting which in any way conflicts with or detracts from scheduled NACD Annual Convention meetings or events.

Tour Policies
Please register in advance. All leisure activities have a minimum participation requirement and are subject to cancellation. If a cancellation occurs, a full refund will be provided for that activity.

Dress Code
Policy with regards to meeting dress codes includes the following: Men - slacks, open neck, banded collar or polo shirts, sweaters, walking shorts, no ties/jackets required. Women - slacks, skirts, blouses, sweaters, walking shorts, open neck banded collar or polo shirts. Meeting rooms tend to be cooler than the outside temperature. A light jacket or sweater may be necessary. 

Dress Code for Receptions and Dinners
Opening Reception - Island/Resort Casual
Off-Site Reception/Dinner - Island/Resort Casual
Awards Reception/Dinner - Island Chic

Contact

If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact NACD Staff at (630) 942-6585.