One of the highlights of this year’s INSIGHT conference was the presentation of an INDA Lifetime Service Award to James Hanson, principle and director of Marketing Technology Service, Inc., and the founder of INSIGHT. The conference was the last of its kind organized by Hanson’s company, Marketing Technology Services. INDA bought the rights to the conference in May 2014.
 
“INDA is pleased and proud to represent the industry in recognizing Jim Hanson’s long and notable record of service to the absorbent products segment of the nonwovens industry. He has consistently demonstrated his best, both personally and professionally, to advance the interests of the Nonwovens industry.  Jim’s pioneering studies and deep knowledge of product design, performance needs and market potentials for the consumer and institutional incontinence markets; also his publishing business and INSIGHT Conference achievements have been an important building block of the industry,” says Dave Rousse, INDA President.

The INSIGHT audience acknowledged Hanson with a standing ovation.

Hanson, a former editor of Pulp and Paper Industry, started INSIGHT in 1979, and the conference, which is dedicated to the absorbent products industry, has been held every fall since then.

“It’s had a consistent following of senior-level international delegates that we consider to also be our friends,” says Hansen.

Hanson will continue to act at the helm of MTS, a marketing and testing company specialized in airlaid nonwovens and other absorbent proucts, and expects to continue to sponsor executive short courses and absorbent product design symposiums in Michigan, as well as continuing its nonwovens Ttechnology and other absorbent product conferences located outside of the Americas.

Moving forward, INSIGHT will be combined with Vision, a consumer products conference started by INDA in 2002. It will be held October 26-29 in St. Petersburg, FL.

The last MTS-sponsored INSIGHT conference was held in Indianapolis last month, attracting  360 delegates. The program featured a four-year record attendance of 360 delegates. This the 36th annual edition of INSIGHT  featured industry presentations spanning the absorbent product and personal care supply chain. Presentations included: new product approaches, testing methods, patent issues, segment growth and trends, research and development advances, and sustainability amid multiple receptions, tabletop displays and networking breaks to increase professional connections.

More information: www.inda.org.