iNews March 2006

ISTA/IoPP Information, More Networking at Dimensions.06
Sponsorships Still Available

Helpful information about the two organizing associations and the conference itself will be presented in a “pre-session”, another networking opportunity has been added, and select sponsorships for business promotion can still be obtained. Register NOW for Dimensions.06, April 18-21 in San Antonio!

All About
If you’re new to Dimensions, ISTA, or IoPP, or if you’re an “old hand” wanting to know the latest… plan to attend Tuesday afternoon’s session “All About Dimensions, ISTA, and IoPP”. It’s your chance to catch up on news and happenings from our organizations, as well as learn what to expect from Dimensions.06.

“All About Dimensions, ISTA, and IoPP” is a free one-hour gathering presented by staff and Board members from both ISTA and IoPP. We'll cover the basics of each organization, plus catch you up on all the updates and advances we're making for our members. In addition, we'll review the schedule for Dimensions and give insight into how to make the most out of this fabulous conference! You'll leave with a better understanding of testing procedures and professional career advancement, and ready to experience Dimensions to the fullest.

This session is free to all attendees of Dimensions.06, but be sure to register in advance! If you haven't already signed up on your registration form, please contact Lisa Bonsignore and let her know you don't want to miss the “All About” session!.

More Networking
Wednesday evening’s River Boat Tour now ends at a convenient riverside restaurant/patio – a perfect chance to continue conversations and network with Dimensions attendees, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors. Relax, enjoy a drink, join friends for dinner, and continue your Dimensions experience into the evening.

Dimensions Exhibitors
There are still openings for Exhibitors at Dimensions – Reserve your space TODAY! Exhibiting your products and services at Dimensions.06 will be a powerful, cost-effective and convenient way to target the transport packaging industry. The evening Exhibitors Reception and Break present an invaluable opportunity for your company to make new contacts and reinforce previous relationships. Click Here for the exhibitors list with links to exhibiting rates and details.

Dimensions Sponsorships
It’s not too late to take advantage of the recognition and benefits of being a Dimensions sponsor. A few sponsorships are still available. In addition to the benefits listed on the website, all sponsors receive recognition and a link on the ISTA website, official thanks at the conference, and recognition in the Forum Guide. Contact Lisa Bonsignore at 517.333.3437 or lisa@ista.org if you would like to discuss becoming a sponsor or have questions regarding Dimensions.06 sponsorship opportunities.

Please visit the Sponsors section of the Dimensions website for more information and to see the current sponsors.

USPS Witnesses Demo of Procedure 3A

SGS U.S. Testing in Fairfield, N.J. recently hosted a visit from three representatives of the U.S. Postal Service, who were there to see a demonstration of ISTA’s General Simulation Test Procedure 3A for Parcel Delivery System Shipment.

The USPS has been in discussion with ISTA staff about the performance and details of 3A, and requested a demonstration of the test method. Rick Roberti, Jason Sherrier, and Chip Kehaya of SGS graciously hosted the meeting, and used their testing lab to demonstrate the methodology. Procedure 3A requires atmospheric conditioning, various types of drop testing (including rotational and hazard drops), and top-loaded random vibration.

Washington, D.C. area USPS representatives in attendance were Viera Jamrich, Crystal West, and Bert Olsen. Ed Church, ISTA’s Executive Director, was also on hand to assist with the demonstrations and discussions.

ISTA Booth at Pack Expo 2006 Expanded to Promote Members

Pack Expo International 2006 will be held from October 29 to November 2 in Chicago, and ISTA will be there as usual. But this year we will have a larger booth, and will offer promotional opportunities to members on a sponsored basis.

The additional space will be made available to sponsors who:
    • Would otherwise not have a presence at Pack Expo, or
    • Wish to enhance and reinforce their organization’s main exhibit, and/or
    • Want to promote their testing or other activities in an ISTA setting.

The fee for sponsorship is $400. Each sponsor organization will be represented in the ISTA booth by a signboard with their name, logo, basic information, and a promotional message. In addition, a rack or other space will be provided for a small supply of literature.

Contact Meredith Young at ISTA Headquarters if you are interested and would like further details.
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Find Files on Your Resource Book CD

The ISTA 2006 Resource Book includes a CD containing all sorts of useful information in electronic form. These files are organized in folders, and may be found and launched using a program like Windows® Explorer or similar.

When you insert the CD, it “auto runs” to show an informational page with a summary of the disc contents. But you cannot open the files from that page; you launch a program like Windows Explorer, navigate to the CD, find the folder with the file you want, and then open it. Most documents are in PDF format, so you will need Adobe Reader® in order to view them. If you don’t already have a current copy of Adobe Reader, there is an executable file on the CD that will allow you to install the Reader program onto your computer.

The CD includes:
     • 2006 Resource Book front section – General information on ISTA and our programs
     • Membership Information – the new ISTA Membership brochure, a membership application,
       lab certification procedure, equipment forms, and a License Agreement
     • All current ISTA Procedures and Projects
     • The “Guidelines for Selecting and Using ISTA Test Procedures and Projects” document
     • Test Report Forms
     • A list of the Resource Book Advertisers
     • The 2006 Lab Directory

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at ISTA Headquarters, 517-333-3437.

May – California – Poly Pack!

The Cal Poly Packaging Association of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is presenting its annual “Poly Pack” May 9-12 – a symposium “to integrate industry with education”.

The event includes seminars and workshops, an open forum, speakers, company tables, and ample opportunities for networking. Wednesday evening features a banquet at the elegant Madonna Inn, and the ever-popular Egg-Drop contest will be held Thursday evening at the downtown Farmer’s Market. Poly Pack concludes Friday the 12th with a golf tournament and closing luncheon.

For complete information visit the Poly Pack 2006 website.

Packaging Services Expo May 16-18, 2006

ISTA is co-sponsoring Packaging Services Expo, to be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, as a great opportunity for organizations who either offer or use packaging services of all kinds.

This Expo will provide an ideal setting in which companies needing packaging services can meet with appropriate service provider organizations. ISTA members who furnish testing, design, consulting, and other packaging services should be especially interested in participating. Click Here to visit the PSE website, and contact Angel Roloff at 262.782.1900 x233 for exhibiting information.

Packaging Services Expo is part of the Packaging Summit 2006, which also includes the Packaging Materials & Containers Expo and the Packaging Summit Conference. Information on all three concurrently-running events may be found by Clicking Here.