Guido Aufdemkamp is the Executive Director of Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE), FPA’s European partner organization. He is an economist by education and has been working for German and European associations for flexible packaging and aluminum foil and closures since 2003.

His core activity is representing the European flexible packaging industry at the European level and on the international stage, which involves statistics and market analysis, public relations, sustainability, food contact legislation, as well as membership management.

Overall, FPE deals with a wide range of issues relevant to the flexible packaging industry, most notably food contact, sustainability, and environmental issues. The association comprises all major European producers of flexible packaging.

Rob is the R&D Director for Foods Packaging Sustainable Materials at PepsiCo. He leads a global team that is accountable for developing, qualifying, and specifying sustainable packaging materials for all food structures. Rob joined PepsiCo in 2009 after spending 18 years at The Dow Chemical Company in technical service and development for plastics.

Rob’s responsibilities include material selection and film development for PepsiCo flexible packaging in addition to ensuring the packaging materials meet PepsiCo’s Global Snacks Group standards for quality, performance, and sustainability.

Rob has a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering from New Mexico State University and holds four patents.

Kasie Fairbarn is Vice President of Sales for Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corporation, a worldwide leader in extrusion, printing, and converting machines for the production of flexible packaging. She is responsible for all aspects of the North American market for both printing and extrusion systems and is based out of their North American Headquarters in Lincoln, RI. 

Kasie holds a Bachelor of Science in Packaging Science from the Rochester Institute of Technology where she is also a member of their Sports Hall of Fame for Women’s Ice Hockey. She started her career as a packaging engineer in a global R&D capacity working in the CPG industry. Over her close to 20-year career, she’s tackled various value chain and sustainability challenges, and today works with film suppliers and converters to ensure their film manufacturing equipment is optimized for output, quality, and PIR/PCR processing.

Most recently Kasie was recognized as one of the 2021 Women Breaking the Mold by Plastics News and in 2023, was appointed as Co-Chair for the Flexible Packaging Association’s Emerging Leadership Council.

Alison Keane is an environmental attorney with over 25 years of experience in both the private and governmental sectors. She is currently the President and CEO of the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), the association representing U.S. converters of film, foil, paper, and other materials into packages for food, medical devices, and industrial products. Prior to joining the FPA in 2016, she was with the American Coatings Association (ACA) for 16 years and served first as Counsel and then as Vice President for Government Affairs. She was also the Executive Director, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary for the ACA’s product stewardship organization – PaintCare.

Other employment experience includes the Environmental Protection Agency’s Headquarters office, the Maryland State Senate, and private practice. Alison has her BA in Biology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and her JD from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. She is admitted to the practice of law in both Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Heidi is a two-time tech founder, an award-winning software architect, a former real estate developer, and now CEO of ByFusion. ByFusion’s innovative end-to-end landfill diversion platform is designed to repurpose nonrecyclable plastic waste into a versatile, reusable building material called ByBlock - creating a transparent, environmentally responsible, verifiable circular solution to help corporate partners achieve their climate action plans, comply with regulations, and elevate their brands.

Heidi is a visionary entrepreneur and environmental advocate dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technology and sustainability. Under Kujawa’s leadership, ByFusion has been recognized as a transformative solution and has received a number of awards, including Fast Company’s “World Changing Ideas,” B Corp's “ Best for the World,” US-GBC “Mighty Materials Award,” 1% for the Planet’s “Innovation of the Year,” Fast Company “Best Brick of the Year,” and Arizona Environmental Excellence.

Jonathan Quinn is the Vice President of Marketing and Sustainability for the API Group of Companies, which provides corporate leadership globally for Accredo Packaging and the Advanced Poly Bag businesses. He is focused on delivering marketing strategy and execution along with all facets of sustainability. Jonathan is recognized as an expert in the areas of flexible packaging sustainability, consumer insight, and the voice of consumers associated with packaging. He has conducted extensive consumer research on the consumer packaged goods segment. Prior to joining API Group, Jonathan most recently was the Director of Market Development and Sustainability at Pregis, and before that he held marketing leadership roles at NOVA Chemicals. Additionally, he has held sales leadership and business development roles at Illinois Tool Works Zip-Pak division, the COESIA Group, and Multisorb Technologies.

Quinn holds a Bachelor of Science in Packaging Science and Business Management from Clemson University. Currently, Jonathan is the founder and Past Co-Chair of the Flexible Packaging Association’s (FPA) Emerging Leadership Council and is on the Global Board of Directors of the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA). In June of 2021, Jonathan was appointed to the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Advisory Board for Diversity and Inclusion. Most recently Jonathan was appointed in July 2022 to the Advisory Board for the Schools of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences at Clemson University.

Jonathan was designated a “Rising Star under 35” by Plastics News in 2018 and the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) Young Leader of the Year in 2019. In February 2021, Jonathan was recognized by Plastics News as a top social media influencer in plastics and packaging. In January 2022, Jonathan received the designation of 40 under 40 by Waste360 for his contributions to waste, recycling, and sustainability.

During his 24 years career, Esteban has experienced all aspects of the petrochemical value chain, through commercial and marketing assignments with Repsol Química in Spain, Tetra Pak in Panama, and New Castle Industries in Houston. That cycle of experiences, spanning chemical producers, polymer converters, and consumer product companies, was a key success factor for his transition to the chemical consulting industry, where Esteban worked under the umbrella of renowned firms like Townsend Tarnell, Nexant ChemSystems, CMAI (now part of IHS Chemical), and Wood Mackenzie, honing his price research, reporting and forecasting, market research, and analysis and feasibility studies skills.

During his tenure at CMAI, Esteban was responsible for the discovery and analysis of supply, demand, cost, and price dynamics for polyethylene and polypropylene in the Americas. He was also the lead in several proprietary studies, including feasibility studies, market analysis, and due diligence reports.

Before founding ChemPMC, Esteban headed Wood Mackenzie’s polymer practice, designing and implementing the company’s polymer services, which features scenario-capable long-term supply and demand models, logistic demand forecasting tools, global trade grids, as well as seasonality-driven short-term supply and demand models, and in the process trained a global team of analysts located in Houston, London, and Singapore.

Esteban has been a featured speaker at North and Latin American chemical and polymer associations meetings including APLA, IPA, ANIPAC, Canadian Plastics, or CERI, as well as consulting firms and producers-led events. Esteban holds a Chemical Engineering Degree from the Instituto Químico de Sarrià in Barcelona, Spain as well as an MBA from Rice University’s Jones School of Business.

Suzanne Shelton is the CEO of Shelton Group, an ERM Group Company, the nation’s leading marketing communications agency entirely focused exclusively in the ESG space. She regularly counsels C-level executives at Fortune 1000 organizations on how to best define and leverage their sustainability approaches to drive business results. She currently serves on the board of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the executive advisory board of Cyclyx, and recently served on the board of the Energy and Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA). Ms. Shelton offers insights and inspiration on conference stages around the country, guest writes for the likes of Fast Company, Green Builder, and GreenBiz, and directly manages a team of leaderswho, collectively, have made Shelton Group a 30-year success story.

Avis Car Rental

Loews guests save up to 25% off base rates when you book with Avis. Experience the most of your getaway by exploring the local sights and attractions around Loews. Now that you’ve booked your Loews stay, why not add a car rental to your upcoming trip? Exploring local neighbors, visiting natural attractions such as nearby beaches and parks or dining at top rated restaurants can be easily accomplished with a rental car from Avis. Avis has many vehicles to select from whether you’re traveling with a group of friends, your family or you’re traveling solo.

Hotel Services & Amenities

At the Loews Ventana Canyon, you can walk out the back doors and step into the natural beauty of the Sonoran desert. Inspired by nature and the surrounding saguaro cactus, architect John Hill constructed the resort to blend into the southwestern landscape.

If you appreciate the serenity of the outdoors, you’ll love spending an afternoon exploring miles of hiking trails as far as the eye can see. Golf fan? You’ll want to play a round of golf on one of our two PGA, Tom Fazio-designed courses. Or perhaps a morning game of tennis or pickleball is more your speed (open seasonally). Here, you can immerse yourself in the hotel’s history with a tour of the grounds. Afterward, enjoy a swim in our two heated pools or a trip to our award-winning Spa, then recline on our luxurious pool deck and take in the spectacular scenery all around you.

Hotel Dining

At the Loews Ventana Canyon, it’s all about locally grown products, farm-fresh ingredients, and innovative menus created by our award-winning chefs that capture the unique flavors of this remarkable Southwest destination. Whether you stick to one favorite among our dining options or try them all, you’ll find that our chefs’ passion and pure Southwestern flavors are the main ingredients at our restaurants and lounge.

Looking to lounge around? Loews Ventana Canyon has two lounges for you to enjoy. And of course, you can always order drinks poolside.

Lakeside Spa & Fitness

Find your perfect balance at the Lakeside Spa & Fitness Center, where we invite you to escape everyday distractions and discover a haven for rejuvenation, restoration, and indulgence. Let the panoramic views of the Catalina Mountains envelop you and tune in to our spa’s calming spirit and relaxing energy. This magic of the desert touches everything we offer.

Golf and Tennis/Pickleball

Welcome to our golf and tennis/pickleball paradise! From bogies to birdies, from aces to cross-court winners, Loews Ventana Canyon is a golf and tennis lover’s paradise. Business travel or leisure travel … there’s always time for your favorite sport.

Things to do in Tucson

More than just saguaros and Sonoran hot dogs, Tucson, AZ is a cultural and natural hub where visitors can experience the Southwest as it was meant to be. In the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Tucson offers a modern perspective of the old west.

The city is home to a wide range of museums, historic sites, hiking trails, golf courses, and some of the most unique flora and fauna in the world, giving visitors plenty to do during their visit. From our gardens and zoos to our museums and university campus, Tucson’s unique beauty shines through our wide range of attractions and our vibrant downtown districts.

Downtown Tucson

f you haven’t visited lately, you’re in for a surprise. Downtown Tucson is having a renaissance as new restaurants and hotels, music, art, and events fill the streets and tune in to the casual Southwestern vibe.

As you approach Downtown Tucson, watch for street signs leading to the six districts: Main Gate, Fourth Avenue, Congress Street, Presidio, Convention, and Mercado. Each district has its own history, and together they offer opportunities to experience Tucson's many entertaining sides. Follow the signs for an adventure through Tucson's first neighborhoods or a direct route to a favorite destination.

The four-mile Sun Link Tucson Streetcar connects all six downtown districts, so sampling Tucson's unique culture and cuisine has never been simpler.

Tucson Dining

Plenty of cities have great places to eat or go out for a drink, but what makes Tucson different is the fusion of cultures found only here in Southern Arizona. Native ingredients grown by indigenous peoples in the region for thousands of years led us to be designated as the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the country. Mexican culture is at the core of the local art and music scene and has allowed Tucson to become the undisputed Mexican Food capital of the United States. Mind-blowing flavors from across the globe have landed in Tucson through the many Refugees who have made this welcoming community their home.

Hiking Trails

While the rumor of gold in Oro Valley lured some of its first visitors, it’s the beautiful desert landscape, ripe with scenic vistas, that proves to be the real reward for today’s outdoor explorers. Whether you’re in the mood for a gentle paved walk or looking to get your heart pumping, you’ll find that “X” marks the spot in the Valley of Gold.

Head over to the Big Wash Trail for a sample of Sonoran Desert terrain. An easy-to-intermediate trail for both hikers and mountain bikers, the Big Wash Trail follows the wash for 1.2 miles, showcasing cholla cacti and views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. For the best experience, access this trail from the new Big Wash trailhead, located on Rancho Vistoso Boulevard near Innovation Park Drive. You can also access the Honeybee Canyon Trail network from Big Wash but be aware that you’ll need a permit since that network is on Arizona State Trust Land.

Attractions

Discover the beauty of the Sonoran Desert and learn how diverse a living desert can at Tohono Chul, Tucson Botanical Gardens, and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, or at the Children's Museum where kids can get an introduction to this unique environment with interactive exhibits. Travel through time to the unique architectural and cultural legacy of Mission San Xavier del Bac or to a century of military and aerospace history with 300 vintage-to-modern aircraft at the Pima Air & Space Museum.

Museums

Stand in awe of celebrated art and photography. Step back in time and experience Tucson's rich heritage and culture. Journey into outer space or explore a desert garden. Join your kids in hands-on learning. Museums in Tucson draw you into the interactive displays and artifacts that curate our past and give glimpses into the future.

Upcoming Events

Come together at events in and around Tucson. Whether you are visiting in the Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer; Tucson's local events are sure to have something for everyone. We're an official World Festival and Event City with local favorites like nowhere else. Here's our guide to what's going on now and later.