Sharpening Skills and Erasing Obstacles: The International Pencil Manufacturers Annual Meeting

For the fourth consecutive year, Brilliant Events Coordination (BEC) brought precision, creativity, and seamless execution to the International Pencil Manufacturers (IPen) Annual Meeting, held this year at the St. Louis Convention Center.

The theme, “Sharpening Skills and Erasing Obstacles,” reflected the industry’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. From the custom-built graphite-inspired stage design to breakout sessions named after pencil grades (HB, 2B, and 4H), every detail was thoughtfully tailored to honor the craft while inspiring the future.

“BEC understands that our gatherings aren’t just meetings—they’re milestones,” said Amara Stenwick, Chair of the International Pencil Manufacturers Council. “They transform our vision into experiences that remind us why craftsmanship still matters.”

The detailed setting of the murder weekend venue, inviting participants to uncover hidden clues

The three-day event featured a keynote from leading materials scientists, immersive sustainability showcases, and BEC’s signature closing reception, The Eraser Ball—a lively celebration that turned networking into an art form.

“We love working with IPen; this group always gets right to the point and we love it,” noted Crystal Lane-Chase, CEO of Brilliant Events Coordination. “Each year, we strive to deliver an experience that’s both polished and playful - because brilliance deserves more than an agenda; it deserves a moment.”

As attendees departed with sharpened insight (and custom graphite keepsakes), one thing was clear: the future of the pencil industry is anything but dull - stay sharp my friends.