Packaging acquires a Southern accent next month when SouthPack '97 opens in the capitol of the South, Atlanta. The show, May 6 to 8 at the World Congress Center, is more like a collection of packaging events. That's why it's billed as a "gallery." The exposition, sponsored by Reed Exhibition Cos. (Norwalk, CT), will include over 500 exhibitors, plus what's called the Creative Packaging Show. This is a part of the exhibition floor devoted to companies supplying materials, containers, packaging components, graphics and other services. In '97, this part of SouthPack '97 is being expanded to accommodate an increasing number of exhibitors. Also on the show floor, AIM U.S.A. (Pittsburgh, PA) is sponsoring a Scan Tech Pavilion that will include a variety of manufacturers specializing in automatic identification and data collection systems in packaging. This is where some of the latest products in marking, labeling, bar coding and information technology will be displayed. "Our ultimate goal is to provide a well-balanced event servicing the educational and technological needs of packaging industry professionals in the South," says Howard Friedman, Reed vice president. The show will cover 120ꯠ sq' and is expected to attract 11ꯠ packaging professionals. The day before the show opens, May 5, sponsors will hold the first One Fore Packaging Education golf classic, a four-golfer scramble format to be held at the Golf Club of Georgia. Proceeds will support education in packaging, and the event is sponsored by the Atlanta Chapter of the Institute of Packaging Professionals (Herndon, VA). Beginning that same day, Monday, May 5, IoPP plans a series of conferences and seminar updates that accompany the exposition. Planned for May 5 and 6 are three educational programs. Consultant Walter Soroka will lead one two-day program on Fundamentals of Plastic Packaging. Concurrently, How to Analyze and Improve Packaging Line Performance is the topic of Paul Zepf of Zarpac. The other session during the same period is on Simulation Testing, offered by consultant Dennis Young. All are offered for $425 for IoPP members, $550 for nonmembers. On May 6, Dr. Aaron Brody, RubbrightSigmaBrody, will offer an afternoon update on Modified Atmosphere Packaging. On May 7, consultant Al McKinlay will use the afternoon to update attendees on Recent Changes in Rule 180 for Transport Carriers, or representatives of Bar Code Systems will present an update on Bar Coding for Packagers. Each of these sessions is priced at $125. On Wednesday, May 7, three shorter update sessions are planned. In the morning, IoPP's Electronic Surveillance Packaging Committee will cover that topic. During the same time frame, Michael Levy of the Polystyrene Packaging Council will offer an update on ISO 14000. Each session is offered for $65. Or packagers can plan their personal careers over lunch when recruiter Michael Taylor of Packaging Personnel Co. presents his list of Do's and Don'ts for Advancing Careers. This session is available for $50. Finally, Women in Packaging (Kennesaw, GA) is hosting a Networking Reception, May 7, from 5 to 7 p.m., featuring noted author Connie Glaser. The reception is sponsored by Mead Packaging.
