NACD's 2020 Annual Convention has been cancelled due to the Corona Virus Pandemic. All registration fees have been refunded. If you have questions or concerns, please contact staff.  Please join us at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in 2021. 

2021 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.  

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 -Resort Casual
Off-Site Reception/Dinner - Resort Casual
Awards Reception/Dinner -TBD

Contact

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