Spring is the season of rebirth and new beginnings, but living in Michigan, it is not until the summer that I feel I can spread my wings and emerge from my cocoon of dark and dreary days. This is when I am reborn and welcome all of the great new possibilities of the rest of the year — eager to see what is in store and where I can put my creativity to best use.

As the saying goes, “there is a first time for everything,” and I cannot think of a better time for new beginnings in the workplace as well. Having the honor of my first stint as guest editor, I am pleased to present BRANDPACKAGING’s first-ever Brand Book. The June/July issue is your “how-to” guide, a one-stop resource for brand marketers and designers alike. From our cover story, “Thirsty for Knowledge,” the top trends to know when designing beverage packaging to the redesign of Dos Equis and the rebranding of Better Bean Co.’s refried beans, they all make us long for that mouth-watering barbeque, but also think harder about what seasonal food and beverage products will be reborn, rebranded and revitalized for the next summer.

As BP continues its rebirth, we are proud to present an all new Packaging That Sells. In celebration of its 10-year anniversary, we have extended the conference to two full days, giving you more speakers, more networking opportunities and a more diverse agenda. Day one will kick off with a keynote from Luke Williams, author and fellow at Frog Design. Please visit www.packagingthatsells.com for a full list of speakers, current sponsors and for information on how to attend.

Last but not least in happenings at BP, I would like to take this time to announce Publisher Michael Leonard along with your new Editor-in-Chief Laura Zielinski and Associate Editor Jennifer LaDuke. All are eager to be a part of our continued growth and, as always, promise to deliver the only publication and conference entirely focused on the role of packaging in the consumer product marketing mix.