World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference is taking place July 21–24, 2025, at the Hilton Columbus Downtown in Columbus, Ohio. This year’s theme, “Wipe to Win: Innovating for a Sustainable and Profitable Future,” brings together industry leaders to address pressing challenges and opportunities across the wipes value chain. Program topics will include U.S. manufacturing threats, tariff and regulatory impacts, fiber sustainability, consumer perceptions, fragrance trends, slitting advancements, plastic-free wipe innovations, sports hygiene, and flushability.
Panel Discussions Include:
Panel Discussion: Navigating the Headwinds: U.S. Manufacturing Threats & Challenges in 2025 – Moderator: Steve Gallo, CEO, Diamond Wipes International, Inc.
Experts explore the key forces challenging U.S. manufacturing in 2025 – from ongoing supply chain disruptions and rising operational costs to the growing impact of inflation. They also dive into the complex role of trade policies and tariffs, which, despite their intent to support domestic industry, have led to increased costs and strategic pullbacks. In addition, they will examine mounting regulatory pressures – ranging from environmental compliance to shifting labor and safety standards – that are reshaping operational strategies across the sector and how industry leaders are adapting to stay competitive.
Panelists include Jaren Edwards, Co-CEO/President, Everra; Ernesto Levy, Chief Growth Officer, Radienz Living; Deborah Steinke, Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer, Nice-Pak; and Tobias Baumgaertel, Sales Director – U.S., Sandler Nonwoven Corporation.
Panel Discussion: The Great Regulatory and Tariff Pow-WOW – Moderator: Matt O’Sickey, Ph.D., Director of Education & Technical Affairs, INDA
Panelists include Heidi van den Hul, Principal, FabriCreation; Wes Fisher, Director of Government Relations, INDA; Jon Devine, Senior Economist, Cotton Incorporated; and David Olave, Associate & Trade Policy Advisor, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
Conference Session Tracks Include:
- From Forest to Flush: Sustainability and Responsibility in
Fiber and Wipes - Trends, Tushes & TikToks: The Rise of the Modern Wipe
- Sniff, Save, Slice: Rethinking Wipes from Fragrance to Finish
- No Plastic, No Problem: The Next Generation of Eco-Wise Wipes
- Swipe Right: The New Faces of Specialty Wipes
Conference Highlights Include:
WIPES Academy – July 21-22 – Led by Heidi Beatty, CEO of Crown Abbey, this 12-session course offers comprehensive training from concept to commercialization, including selection of fabrics, formulation design, and packaging considerations.
Tabletop Exhibits & Lightning Talks – July 22-23 – Explore the latest innovations from leading companies. Exhibitors will deliver five-minute product spotlights, followed by networking at the evening receptions.
Lunch Arounds – July 22-23 – Engage with peers, entrepreneurs, and industry thought leaders in small-group lunch discussions designed to foster collaboration and connections.
World of Wipes Innovation Award® – July 22 and 24 – Recognizing breakthrough innovations that utilize nonwoven technologies to enhance functionality and broaden application. Finalists will present on July 22; the winner will be announced on July 24.
Pre-Conference Webinars – Advanced Cellulosic Solution for Disinfection Wipes. Presenter Axel Russler, Ph.D., Project Manager, Lenzing AG. July 15 at 9:00 AM.
To view the full conference program, register, reserve a tabletop exhibit, or become a sponsor, visit: https://worldofwipes.org.
