AUGUST 2003

New Format, Content for iNews
Beginning with this issue, iNews has been redesigned and reformatted for fast and convenient reading. Now you can quickly scan for articles of interest, then click a link for the complete story. You can click at the end of each article, or click the article's title if that's more convenient. Naturally we hope you'll read each issue in its entirety, but if you can't, the new design should make it much easier to get the information you need the most - quickly. Your comments on this new format are welcome.

ISTA Technical Committee Meeting To Be Held in October -  OCTOBER 22
The fall Technical Committee Meeting will be held Wednesday, October 22, 2003 in Hodgkins, IL (Chicago Area). This meeting is open to all ISTA members (not just those on the Technical Committee), and will be hosted by UPS. New and proposed technical issues will be covered, including changes to a number of the testing protocols, Project 4AB with the Data Depot and Sponsorship program, a new Parcel Delivery test, etc. Make plans now to attend - to get the latest information and voice your opinions.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the nearby Holiday Inn-Countryside, 6201 Joliet Rd., Countryside, IL 60525. The hotel is about 13 miles from downtown Chicago, about 15 miles from O'Hare International Airport, and about 7 miles from Midway Airport. Airport transportation is furnished by taxi (about $30 from O'Hare, about $25 from Midway) or by American Limo service.

Call toll-free 1-800-441-6041 or direct 1-708-354-4200 to make your reservation. Give code "IST" to receive the special group rate of $89 (single). This rate and block ends on September 30th, so call now. Also, please e-mail Lisa Sabala at ISTA headquarters and tell her you're planning to attend.

See you there!

CPLP Workshop in Chicago Area - Technician OCTOBER 23 & Technologist OCTOBER 24
Have you wanted to become an ISTA Certified Packaging Laboratory Professional (CPLP), but would rather attend a workshop than go through the self-study program? Then register now for the October 23-24 sessions! Two classes will be held: CPLP Technician on Thursday October 23, and CPLP Technologist on Friday October 24, 2003. Each day will start with presentation of the material, then lunch and a break, and finish with administration of the exam. You can attend one session or both - achieve Technician and Technologist levels in 2 days under the same travel expense. Registration for each class is $595, with a daily schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Lunches will be provided, and an added bonus will be a Thursday evening tour of the UPS CACH (Chicago Area Consolidation Hub). Tour group size is limited, so register early - don't miss this chance to see packages going through one of the world's largest automated sortation facilities.

The Workshops will be held at the Holiday Inn-Countryside, Countryside, IL nearby to UPS. A block of rooms at a special group rate of $89 (single) has been reserved. It's about 13 miles from downtown Chicago, about 15 miles from O'Hare International Airport, and about 7 miles from Midway Airport. Airport transportation is furnished by taxi (about $30 from O'Hare, about $25 from Midway) or by American Limo service.

Since the ISTA Technical Committee Meeting will be held on Wednesday October 22 at UPS (see article above), why not come early and attend that too?

Registration deadline for the CPLP Workshop and hotel reservations is September 30th. Email us to register. Click here to see who has already achieved CPLP status!

New ISTA Website and Discussion Forum
Have you visited the ISTA website lately? It has a fresh new look, many new features, and lots of added content. There's information on membership, ISTA and ISTA testing, educational opportunities, and certification programs. There's a "useful resources" section, an e-market for online purchases, and a separate members-only area. A great new feature is the Discussion Forum.

The Discussion Forum includes a Public Forum and a Members Only Forum. In the Public Forum you'll find an FAQ section covering a wide range of both general and technical questions, a Testing Discussion, and a General Packaging Discussion. In the Members Only Forum are sections for the Lab Council, the Technical Committee, and a number of specific active topics.

Forum guests can view information and discussion threads, but if you want to post topics or replies you must register. It's easy - go to the Public Forum, Announcements, then select Helpful User Hints. The registration instructions are there, along with tips for getting the most out of your participation.

The Forums can be accessed by going to the ISTA website and clicking on Discussion Forums at the upper right.

Project 4AB and Sponsorship Program
Project 4AB will be the industry's most advanced "Enhanced Simulation" test protocol, with web-based generation of test plans. Software writing is underway, and so is the 4AB Sponsorship Program, which will support creation of both the Procedure and the associated "Data Depot".

Project 4AB will incorporate current distribution environment information, updated frequently. This is the reason for the "Data Depot", which will collect, analyze, and compile measurements taken from a variety of sources. If you have data that you might be able to share, please email Bill Kipp. You'll be helping to advance the state of the art, and can benefit from the combining of your data with corresponding data from others.

There are three Project 4AB Sponsorship Levels: Founding, Charter, and Supporting. Sponsors will receive various combinations of direct benefits and significant promotion/publicity depending upon sponsorship level. Our thanks to the following Sponsors already enrolled in the program:
     Lansmont Corporation
     Tokyo Packaging Lab
     Edwards Lifesciences

If YOUR company is interested in becoming a sponsor of this important Project, please contact Steve Pierce for complete information.

ISTA Tutorial at Parcel Shipping and Distribution Forum
Plus! - ISTA Members Receive Additional Benefits and Discounts
The Parcel Shipping and Distribution Forum will be held October 20-22 at the Radisson O’Hare Hotel Rosemont in Chicago. ISTA is a co-participant in this Forum, and the first day (October 20) will consist entirely of an ISTA tutorial entitled "Limiting In-Transit Damage".

ISTA members may receive the following special discounts:
• 20% discount off of the conference registration fee (up to $250 savings)
• Free pass to visit the Exhibit Hall ($50.00 value)
• Preferred seating for the Opening Day Keynote and Carrier Roundtable Panel
• $50.00 airfare rebate on your round trip airfare.

Please R.S.V.P by October 3, 2003 by calling toll-free 866.378.4991

Dimensions.04 Call for Potential Presenters

The Dimensions annual conference has many terrific aspects, but most important is the educational content. We are continuously striving to obtain the industry's best presenters, speaking on topics of current interest and importance. Dimensions is eight months away, but the selection process for outstanding presenters must start now. If you would like to be considered for the Dimensions.04 program, we need your 150 word abstract immediately!

Possible topic areas are Distribution Environment Hazards, Environment Measuring, Packaging Systems, Packaging Materials, Tests and Testing Procedures, Test and Measuring Equipment, Case Histories and Examples, Packaging and Supply Chain Management, and Packaging Aspects for Specific Industries. Other topics will certainly be considered based on merit.

It's important to contact Ed Church at ISTA headquarters immediately to indicate your interest in being a Dimensions.04 presenter. If you wait, the opportunity could be lost. Dimensions.04 will be held April 14-17, 2004 at Walt Disney World's Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Seminars and Short Courses by Other Organizations
In addition to educational events directly presented by ISTA, we often participate in or help with those of other organizations. ISTA members may be interested in the "Package Design and Testing for Safe Shipments" seminar at Michigan State University September 8-9 or the "Unit Load Design Short Course" at Virginia Tech September 24-25.