Sam Duerr III Named Recipient of RCI’s 2026 Henry J. Bornhofft Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indianapolis, IN – June 8, 2026 – Retail Confectioners International (RCI), a trade association serving the chocolate and confectionery industry, proudly presented Sam Duerr III of Duerr Packaging with the 2026 Henry J. Bornhofft Memorial Award during its Candy Convention in Indianapolis.

Each year, the RCI Board of Directors selects a supplier member of the confectionery industry who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, loyalty, friendship and meaningful contributions to the industry. This year, that honor went to Sam Duerr III, a longtime supporter of RCI who has served on the Board of Directors and several committees.

“I was so honored and humbled to receive the 2026 RCI Henry J. Bornhofft Memorial Award from members I admire, respect and call friends,” said Sam. “The over 50-year association of the Duerr family and the RCI membership has provided scores of indelible memories and built generational friendships which we treasure. That association and the legacy of the Bornhofft Award overwhelms me with an appreciation of the industry we are so fortunate to serve. With gratitude and appreciation, I thank all of you!”

“Sam exemplifies the leadership, loyalty, friendship and service that the Henry J. Bornhofft Memorial Award was created to recognize,” said Angie Burlison, RCI Executive Director. “For decades, he has been a trusted partner and friend to confectioners across the industry. We are proud to honor his many contributions with this well-deserved recognition.”

In 1980, after earning his master's degree in Packaging Science from the University of Wisconsin–Stout and spending four years working in Wisconsin, Sam returned home to join Duerr Packaging, the company founded by his parents, Lorraine and Sam Duerr Jr., in 1953. He has since played an instrumental role in the company's growth and evolution. Under his leadership, Duerr Packaging now serves customers in all 50 states and internationally.

The award highlights the Duerr family's longstanding involvement in the confectionery industry. Sam's father, Sam Duerr Jr., received the Henry J. Bornhofft Memorial Award in 2013, making him the second generation of the family to receive the honor.

Established in 1985, the Henry J. Bornhofft Memorial Award honors the legacy of Henry J. Bornhofft and recognizes supplier members whose dedication, leadership and service have made a lasting impact on the confectionery industry.

For more information about Retail Confectioners International, visit retailconfectioners.org.

Contact:
Lacey Hesse, Marketing Manager
lacey@retailconfectioners.org
417-883-2775

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Retail Confectioners International (RCI) is a not-for-profit trade association serving the confectionery industry. Based in Springfield, Missouri, RCI has represented the interests of confectionery manufacturing retailers and promoted public interest in these products for over 100 years. RCI provides a forum for confectioners to network, share ideas and develop their candy-making and entrepreneurial skills. For more information, please visit www.retailconfectioners.org.