Since its launch in September 2024, WICA has been on a global journey, attending key canmaking events to raise visibility and forge connections. The latest stop? Cannex Fillex de las Américas, held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, USA from 29th April to 1st May 2025.
As one of the leading international exhibitions for canmakers, fillers, and their suppliers, Cannex Fillex – organized by industry publication The Canmaker – offered an ideal platform for WICA to introduce its mission, engage with industry professionals and build momentum.
While Cannex Fillex has been a key fixture in the industry since 1994, this year marked WICA’s first-ever appearance. Representing the non-profit association were President Sarah Davidson and Social Media Creator Amber Sneed, who were both eager to connect, learn, and share the impact WICA is working to make.
“As our first time attending, I don’t think Amber or I were entirely sure what to expect,” said Sarah. “But it quickly became clear that Cannex Fillex was the right place for WICA to be. The level of engagement from both women and men in our industry confirmed that WICA’s mission resonates across borders and business lines. It exceeded my expectations in the best way!”
Throughout the event, Sarah and Amber had meaningful conversations with attendees from around the world. Some were already familiar with WICA, eager to get more involved, while others were hearing about the association for the first time.
Sarah reflected: “Those impromptu conversations that started with curiosity and ended 30+ minutes later with genuine excitement and shared ideas were some of the most energizing moments of the event.”
Several recurring themes – connection, visibility, and growth – stood out across the three days of Cannex Fillex. These align perfectly with WICA’s current priorities: launching a formal mentorship program; creating an industry awards initiative to honor trailblazing women; amplifying visibility through regular recognition across the WICA platform; expanding STEM education outreach; and providing scholarships to support women entering or advancing in canmaking.
The response WICA received at the event was overwhelmingly positive. Nearly every woman Sarah and Amber spoke with expressed how timely and needed these initiatives are.
Equally impactful were the personal moments – finally meeting face-to-face with women previously only known through virtual calls. This led to rich conversations sharing stories about working in the industry, the opportunities ahead, and the impact WICA could have.
Sarah explained: “There’s something powerful about meeting like-minded women – it recharges you. We really seem to be breaking down barriers and building momentum. The Canmaker was so welcoming, and our experience this year confirmed that Cannex is an important platform for WICA. We’d love to deepen our involvement, as we see this as the start of a long and valuable relationship.”
Thank you Cannex. We'll see you next time!
www.cannexfillex.com
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