Paris Packaging Week (Are you a Future Leader? Or do you have one on your team?) Noura Moussa

Paris Packaging Week is not just one of the premier packaging events in the world. 

It's also an opportunity to expand your career and help the younger team members gain recognition and improve their futures. 

Apply for yourself or nominate a team member that under 30 years old 

https://www.parispackagingweek.com/en/future-leaders-form/

Time is running out! 

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Transcript

0:10

Welcome to Sustainable Packaging with Cory Connors. Today's guest is my friend Noura Moussa . She is the head of marketing for Paris Packaging Week. How are you, Noura? I'm great. How are you? Good. we've worked together for a while. Last year you were at Paris Packaging Week and, as a contractor, so you're officially part of the team. So congratulations. Thank you so much. Very pleased. I'm so happy for you, well deserved. You're, great at what you do and, a great leader on the team there in Paris. So, well done. Thank you. Thank you so much. So, can you tell us about your background first? Yeah, sure. So I have been in the marketing field for the past 10 years, almost well, time flies, and I have worked across multiple sectors such as technology labeling and packaging. Marketing is my passion. I just find it fascinating the way it just shape our culture. it influences the way we consume, the way we act, and the way we perceive, the world. So I just, I'm just super happy that I've turned my. My passion into, into a career. So for the past two years, I had been involved in public relations for, Paris packaging week, and my objective was to really make sure that the brand and the event was seen, heard, and fully understood. And. To be honest with you, I just fell in love with the show. when you look at it, the community, the team, and the event, there's a real buzz to it. And I don't know, I just find it so creative and innovative and I felt surrounded by a community that was passionate, about what they do about packaging, and I really felt a sense of belonging. So. I just wanted to continue, but at the same time, I felt I had more to give than PR because in my previous roles I was head of marketing and marketing directors for many years, and. I was lucky, as a matter of fact is Easyfairs . Had more to give and boom, voila. Here I am. Well, I think you're a perfect fit, and I think the team there, Lucy and Christelle and Josh and all it, I think you're, you rounded out really well, with your wisdom and your ability. So I think it's gonna be an even better show. this, this next year here. It's in February. But let's talk about that event because, you and I both love it. It's, one of my top two shows of the year. I absolutely think it's incredible and, I think it's a must attend for anyone interested in doing business internationally in packaging. what is Paris packaging week and when? I think you said it better. Paris Packaging is really the place to be. it's a two day event on the fifth and the 6th of February this year, 2026 in the heart of Paris, where the whole packaging community comes together to see what's new, what's next, and what's making waves in the packaging world. Then. just like me, there is so much, never a dull day. There is always something new regulation, new materials, new innovations. and that community comes from different sectors. They come from cosmetics, premium drinks, aerosols and luxury. And they also have different roles and responsibilities within the packaging supply chain. there are suppliers, the brands, the designers. Engineers, and I think that's, that whole diversity that is really special. I think it really sparks real conversations. real connection and real inspiration. I know I'm gonna say something remarketing, but it, it's not an event. for me, it's an experience. I agree. Actually, that's, you're exactly right. It's, and I think what, What people can understand about your event is it's very different in Yeah. in some very good ways, than most packaging events. You actually have places to sit and have a conversation and, there's the VIP lounge and then there's this lounge, and then there's that lounge. Most people get access to, and then there's lots and lots of seats and tables and here have a mimosa or have it's champagne time or it's coffee time. and I think it's one of the most comfortable shows, I think because. People actually, you look around and they're not exhausted. They're, yeah, they're having a good time. They're enjoying, they're, getting to know their partners and, their customers and their future customers. it is just such a great place to be. Yeah, it's really special. Yeah. So I want to talk about this future Leaders program because I think it's one of the coolest things in the whole industry. Yeah. can you tell us, who, what it is and who can apply? Yeah. So our Future Leaders program is, the, it's a program that identifies the young professionals shaping the packaging industry. And I, it you need to be under 30. And I think that it really helps with their career. I think it's really a boost. I think that gives something that you don't always have when you are young. I think it just gives. A boost of confidence. It gives visibility and I think it gives a really strong network, Yeah. we've been young, wild, and free, but we've also been really, vulnerable. when you're just young and you just start your career, you don't always feel like legitimate about yes. Who you are and what you can deliver. And I think the whole point of this program. Is to tell them and also tell the whole world, yes, you are. Here's your recognition. Your recognition. You are a leading voice of today and tomorrow. So we really want them to have a voice and really own it. We want them to tell their story and speak their truth because. At the end of the day, I believe that they have a mindset that we can all benefit from. So it's a program where they will get to speak, during, a panel, during the event itself, in front of our audience, and they will share their vision of today's. Packaging industry. And they will also have a great opportunity to have more visibility, especially through our media partners, which you are. hopefully they will have a chance to speak at your, during your podcast. They will also do, exclusive interviews with Premium Beauty News, which is the leading beauty media in France. so I think that's. That program is an opportunity for them to build that confidence by having that voice. I think that it helps them build that visibility, through the media. but it also helps them to build that network because. At the end of the day, I truly believe that it takes a village to become who we want to be. And I truly believe that it's every encounters that we have in our life that shape who we are, whether personally or professionally. And, at price packaging we have the best village. top notch. we have, the leading brands. We have, the decision makers, and they are very happy to support our future leaders and share their. their wisdom and their experience and their knowledge. So they will be mentored by, three future leaders, jury members, which are Emmanuel Bundi, thi de Boff, and Gerald Martinez, just like the two previous years. Okay. Plus also have a chance to attend innovation awards during meetings, so they will have a chance to meet, A panel of experts, from the big brands, the cha, the Chanel, the Bulgari, Unilever. And also during the show itself, they will have access to the VIP launch, which also have it at, you also have it so they can network, with our community and our expert and our speakers. I think that. You know that program is just amazing. I wish I had one like that when I was younger because it just gives you all the resources that they need to be successful, to grow and to learn. Well said Nora. That's exactly right. Last year I got to moderate the panel for that. and I'll get to do that again. or I should say this year and next year I will in February. so I really look forward to that. I think that it's, It's quite a group and it's, it's an impressive, well it was, has been in the past and I'm sure it will be again, even more I've heard. but last year my friend, and co former co-host Brody Vander Dusen, got to, be one of the future leaders. And so I got to see it through her eyes as she experienced this end. She was blown away by all of the extra things that she got to do, all of the notoriety that she earned. she's gonna put this on her resume for the rest of her life and people will say, well, what's this? Oh, Paris. Cool. as an American, this is very prestigious. Well, for anyone it's prestigious, but, it's, it just has this really cool feel to it, for us over here. but so I wanted to mention that. I wanted to also say that it becomes a social group. Yeah. for the future, can you speak to that a little bit? former winners will get to come back. Yeah, we have a future leaders alumni group because we want to keep in touch with them, but we also want them to keep in touch with each other, so. We do have a LinkedIn and a WhatsApp group where we have an opportunity to, Discuss and share their latest news and, they are thriving. it's just so rewarding to see how great they are. And they are becoming, some of them are winning awards, some of them are building businesses and podcasts. they are just amazing. And it's great to follow the journey and see them, confirm and reconfirm, their either status. but this year we'll do more with them. it's. We've been doing two editions, so it's still an a, a new program for us. So we are taking a lot of feedback from our alumni and. we want, so it's an ever evolving program and we want to do more and we will do more, 100%. So we'll do more meetups to continue, strengthening that, that part of our community. And obviously they are part of Paris Packaging week. that's a great point. This is only the third year of this, program. So it's very new, but it's still very prestigious and, Like you said, there's nothing more important in the packaging industry than having a great network. So this will provide you this really intimate network of professionals and, future leaders like, like yourself. And, I think it gives you a leg up in, into a future where, oh, maybe you wanna try this kind of a job, or you wanna look at this kind of a career and, a great way to pivot. So, yeah, a hundred percent. So how do we apply? What's the process? How does it work? Oh, it's super easy. you go to the website, paris packaging week.com. You click on visit, you click on feature leaders, and then you click on Apply here. whether you want to become a feature leaders or you want to nominate someone, it's one file. Just a couple of questions about. The person's experience, where do they identify challenges in the packaging industry? Where they see themself within five years? What's the future of packaging? Honestly, it's probably a questionnaire that would take 15 to 20 minutes, but it's a great investment when you look at how rewarding, all the rewards that they can get from that program. So. Yeah, I agree. I filled it out last year. I nominated Brody. I was, really excited to when she won because I nominated her. And, it only took about 15 minutes. and, it's just worth the time. It's worth the effort. It's, it's a great program. I think, eventually it'll get overwhelmed with applicants. So, get in now, while it's not, so huge that, it's difficult, to get in. But, let's talk a little bit more about the event. what are you excited about this year for Paris Packaging Week, or I should say February next year? Yeah. Wow. I don't want this podcast to turn into a whole movie 'cause I could spend an hour talking about that. just, that event just continues to grow. it's so amazing. And this addition 2025, that was 17,000 visitors. Can you believe that? when I started two years ago, we had. Like 630 exhibitors and this coming edition we have almost 900. Wow. So, it's great. it's really becoming an admissible, event for anyone working in or around packaging and we really happy and thankful as well for that. And. Oh, what am I most excited about? the Innovation Awards Party. Doing that for the first time. It's gonna be the day before, on the fourth in the evening. In the heart of Paris, very luxurious place, PLA Dom. and I think what I like about that party is that obviously it's a celebration. it's fun, it's relaxed, but it's also, the event is so rich as it's so dense. You have so much to see, to talk to, to visit that it's really. And that party will be a different rhythm, A bit of a suspended time where we get to really relax and have fun as well. it's our re reunion, it's our celebration, so yeah, it's fun. I'm so excited for it. I think, this year will, or next year will be the best one yet. They continue to improve. your team does not rest. they go and they continue to make it better every year, and that every year I'm just. Wow. Oh, that's new. Oh, this is a new feature. Oh. And I can see why it continues to grow so much. I can see why people continue to clamor to be there because it is such a special event. Well done. Yeah. Thank you so much. Well, thank you so much, Nora. I really appreciate you and your wisdom and your friendship. Me too. And can't wait to see you in February in Paris. Yeah. See you very soon. Thank you.