SEPTEMBER 2003

Topics for Fall Technical Committee Meeting
The agenda for the fall Technical Committee Meeting has been announced by ISTA. Many important topics are up for discussion at the meeting, to be held in the Chicago area on October 22.

The topics will include:
  • Project 4AB (Enhanced Simulation) and Data Depot status report
  • Review of new Project 3A, the Combined Small Parcel Test
  • Discussion of top load configuration for random vibration tests
  • Assessment of the website Discussion Forum, and a possible template for topic threads
  • Discussion of the Test Development Process flow charts
  • Possible elimination of non-equivalent alternatives in test protocols
  • Random vibration in 1 and 2 Series tests, should it be eliminated or changed?
  • Discussion of proposed "Company Tests" process
  • Open Dialog from meeting attendees.

This meeting is open to all (not just ISTA members and those on the Technical Committee), and will be generously hosted by UPS on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at their Hodgkins facility. Thanks to Chad Thompson of UPS for arranging this. A block of rooms at the special rate of $89 (single, plus tax) has been reserved at the nearby Holiday Inn-Countryside, 6201 Joliet Rd., Countryside, IL 60525. Call toll-free 1-800-441-6041 or direct 1-708-354-4200 to make your reservation, and give code “IST” to receive the special group rate. This rate and block ends on September 30th, so call now. Also, please send an e-mail to Meredith Young at ISTA headquarters and tell her you’re going to attend.

Make your plans now – to get the latest information and to voice your opinions.

Project 4AB Sponsorship Campaign Gaining Momentum
The 4AB Sponsorship Program, which supports creation of both the 4AB Procedure and the associated “Data Depot”, has recently been joined by three more organizations. Packaging Corporation of America and the Michigan State Unversity School of Packaging Consortium for Distribution Packaging as Founding Sponsors and Thomson Consumer Electronics as a Supporting Sponsor.

If YOUR company is interested in becoming a sponsor of this important Project, please contact ISTA for complete information. There are three Sponsorship Levels: Founding, Charter, and Supporting. Sponsors receive various combinations of direct benefits and significant promotion/publicity depending upon level. Enrollment in the program is needed no later than January 31, 2004, with sponsorship payments conveniently arranged.

Please support the 4AB Sponsors who are so generously supporting ISTA. Click on the logos below to visit their websites.

FOUNDING SPONSORS

Lansmont Corporation

MSU Consortium for Distribution Packaging

Packaging Corporation of America


SUPPORTING SPONSORS

Edwards Lifesciences

Thomson Consumer Electronics

Tokyo Packaging Lab

2004 ISTA Resource Book
You might be wondering about your new Resource Book, which is usually published around this time of year. Well, we have moved the publication date back a few months to get the “year” on the front cover in better agreement with the actual release date, new Resource Books will be delivered shortly before the beginning of 2004. And they’ll be designated “2004”, meaning that there will be no 2003 book. But don’t worry that you’ve missed something – as always, changes and announcements are kept up-to-date on the ISTA website.

The annual “big book” is a compendium of all you want to know about ISTA – the organization and structure, member companies and individuals, testing laboratories, and all the test Procedures and Projects. It’s an invaluable reference, occupying a handy spot on many bookshelves.

CPLP Workshop in October

Registration is still open for the Certified Packaging Laboratory Professional workshop to be held October 23-24 in Countryside, IL.

The CPLP program is usually a self-study course and proctored exam. However, in October we’re presenting an “in-person” workshop for those who prefer that format – an intensive review, discussion, and exam all in one session. The Technician class will be held on Thursday October 23, and the Technologist class will be held on Friday October 24.  An added bonus will be a Thursday-evening tour of the nearby UPS Chicago Area Consolidation Hub (CACH) facility. Click Here for complete details.

The deadline for registration is September 30, so sign up now!

Discounts and Benefits for ISTA Members at the Parcel Forum
ISTA members can receive special discounts and benefits for attending or exhibiting at the Parcel Shipping and Distribution Forum, to be held October 20-22 in Chicago.

The first day of the Forum, Monday October 20, is completely devoted to an ISTA-presented tutorial entitled "Limiting In-Transit Damage: The Do's and Don'ts of Packaging". Because of this coopera-tion, ISTA members are eligible for special Forum offers:
  • 20% conference registration discount
  • Free Exhibit Hall pass
  • Preferred seating for the Keynote address and Carrier Roundtable panel
  • $50 airfare rebate

In addition, ISTA members who would like to exhibit at the Forum can receive a 10% discount off the standard space fees.

Visit the Parcel Shipping & Distribution Forum website for complete information.

Dimensions.04 -— Mark Your Calendars!

Sure it’s still seven months away (April 14-17), but mark your calendars NOW, because you won’t want to miss THE transport packaging event of the year!

Dimensions.04 is jointly sponsored by ISTA and IoPP, and is the largest dedicated meeting for packaging and distribution professionals working in all areas of the industry. Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is the place and April 14-17, 2004 are the dates. Click Here for preliminary information, but mark your calendars NOW!

The PST Magazine is On Its Way

     Watch your mailbox, because the third quarter 2003 issue of ISTA’s      Preshipment Testing publication is on its way.

     For ISTA members only, the magazine is filled with information about the      organization, its members, industry news, and technical subjects. This      issue spotlights Instrumented Sensor Technology, an industry supplier, and       Environ  Laboratories LLC, an ISTA-Certified lab.