Designed “for the industry, by the industry,” a new packaging education and training program will soon address the industry’s most pressing concerns and challenges: the [PACK]out conference — which takes place in Austin, Texas, from May 10-12, 2022 — aims to deliver relevant, actionable content that maximizes attendees’ investment.

The program features curated tracks designed to help packaging professionals of any level hone skills, fill knowledge gaps, and anticipate future needs. Sessions cover technical skills, innovation, leadership and management, ASTM standards, and more.

The event, which operates like a nonprofit, will reinvest revenue back in the industry via scholarships, testing and research, and other ideas still in the works.

Attendance is limited and almost sold out. If interested, packaging professionals at medical device manufacturers (MDMs) should register immediately.

Building an agenda that matters.

Organizers are still finalizing content and identifying speakers. However, the basic agenda gives you a sense of the quality and relevance of the topics and experts.

Tuesday, May 10
8:45 – 10:00 a.m.

“Keynote: The Impact of Chaotic Innovation on the Medical Packaging Industry”

Speaker:
Nick Webb, CEO, LeaderLogic

Tuesday, May 10
10:15 – 11:00 a.m.

Related:Medical Packaging ‘Architects’ Build New Conference

“Sustainability – No Longer Just a ‘Nice to Have’”

Sustainable packaging design is often the last thing to be considered when an MDM is launching a new product. Our distinguished panel of MDM representatives will discuss what they have observed and how they are taking action to drive sustainability initiatives within their own organizations.

Speakers:
Kevin Kane, Packaging Engineering Manager, Stryker
Lindsay Smaron, Senior R&D Packaging Engineer, Sustainability Expert, Boston Scientific
Samantha Smith, Engineering Director - Product Stewardship, Medtronic
Moderator:
Andrew Green, Market Development Manager, Rigid Medical Packaging, Eastman Chemical Co.

Tuesday, May 10
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

“Wicked Stability: Predicting the Aging Degradation of Materials”

The effect of real-time aging, post sterilization, on commonly available sterile barrier packaging systems (SBS) materials is not significant. Therefore, it is proposed that aging of the typical Materials of Construction (MOC) for SBSs does not need to start from time zero, but rather knowledge of material science supported by data demonstrates that certain MOC combinations and Modalities of Sterility (MOS) treatments could be placed on market with a known and supported minimum shelf life.
Speakers:
Henk Blom, VP of Research and Technology, PAXXUS Inc.
Dan Burgess, Packaging Engineering Fellow, Boston Scientific
Jordan Montgomery, Packaging Engineer and Technical Fellow, Medtronic plc.
Rod Patch, Sr. Director, Package Engineering & Product Labeling, Johnson & Johnson Vision
Moderator:
Seema Momin, Packaging Engineer, Network Partners

Tuesday, May 10
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

“Industry Power Hour”

The Industry Power Hour will be an action-packed session on the[PACK]out agenda with representatives from the Medical Device Packaging Technical Committee (MDPTC) of the Institute of Packaging Professionals, the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC), Kilmer Innovations in Packaging (KiiP), ASTM International, and more. Each representative will have 10 minutes to give a brief overview of the association, the specific working items currently being addressed, and how to get involved if you are interested.
Speakers:
Jennifer Benolken, Medical Device & Regulatory Specialist, Package Engineering, DuPont Tyvek Medical Packaging
Katherine Olson, Staff Packaging Engineer, MicroAire Surgical instruments
More speakers coming soon!

Tuesday, May 10
3:00 – 4:45 p.m.

“Unpacking Human Factors/Usability Engineering & Live Simulation”

This presentation will provide attendees an introduction to Human Factors principles, specifically to better understand how packaging and packaging systems are evaluated in human factors/usability studies.
Speakers:
Lauren Jensen, PhD, Consultant, Human Factors Engineering, Agilis Consulting Group
Shannon Hoste, MSM, MSEE, President, Agilis Consulting Group
Jessie Huisinga, PhD, Senior Manager Human Factors Engineering, Agilis Consulting Group
Live Simulation by David DiVaccaro, Consultant, DiVaccaro Consulting Group

Wednesday, May 11
8:50 – 9:30 a.m.

“Advancing Sustainable Materials in Medical Packaging”

Advanced recycling technologies have become a hot topic in materials markets, as have the mass balance protocols that enable them. This presentation will provide an overview of these topics and provide attendees with the basics of evaluating and integrating these materials into package design.
Speaker:
Andrew Green, Market Development Manager, Rigid Medical Packaging, Eastman Chemical Co.

Wednesday, May 11
9:40 – 10:10 a.m.

“Can Packaging Make an Impact on Patient Safety? – Yes!”

Kilmer Innovation in Packaging (KiiP) is an industry organization formed to lead the way to innovations in packaging into the future – while breaking barriers between the groups in the sterility value chain to point of use. KiiP has founded five program tracks, including The Last 100 Yards Team, which is implementing a variety of research initiatives on the use of medical packaging in the healthcare facilities.
Speakers:
Hanna Harris, Packaging Engineer, Healthmark Industries
Austin Liu, Senior Package Engineer, Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision
Katherine Olson, Staff Packaging Engineer, MicroAire Surgical instruments
Teri Meadow, Director of Corporate Marketing, American Packaging Corporation

Wednesday, May 11
9:40 – 10:10 a.m.

“Sustainability is a Systems Change”

As industries move to embrace a circular future, companies are left trying to ascertain the concrete steps needed to make that future a reality. Join us as we discuss how systems change is fundamental to success in the circular future.
Speaker:
Jamie Pero-Parker, Sustainability Sector Lead, RTI Innovation Advisor

Wednesday, May 11
10:40 – 11:20 a.m.

“Sustainability is a Team Sport: Leveraging the Value Chain”

A panel of thought leaders in design, manufacturing, and converting will discuss their role in enabling sustainability and the role collaboration plays in turning ideas into action.
Speakers:
Zach Muscato, Corporate Sustainability Champion, Plastic Ingenuity
Kasie Fairbarn, Product Sales Manager, Windmoeller & Hoelscher
Kevin Fisher, Technical Manager, Oliver Healthcare Packaging
Moderator:
Samantha Smith, Engineering Director - Product Stewardship, Medtronic

Wednesday, May 11
10:40  – 11:20 a.m.

“Designing for Patients and the Planet – Sustainable Solutions for Pharmaceutical Products”

This talk will discuss the journey of The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson towards a net zero carbon value chain and show how the organization is changing the way it designs products and services to enable circularity.
Speaker:
Rochelle Kleinberg, Director, Healthcare Solutions, Johnson & Johnson Design

Wednesday, May 11
1:00 – 1:50 p.m.

“It Takes a Village: How I Created Mine and How You Can Create Yours”

However you say it, we all need support to perform at our best and to reach our goals. A personal board of directors can work for you too. By joining me in this session, you’ll walk away with the tools you need to build your own board. From there, the possibilities are endless.
Speaker:
Kasie Fairbarn, Product Sales Manager, Windmoeller & Hoelscher

Wednesday, May 11
1:00 – 1:50 p.m.

“From Rodeo Cowboy to Spiderman: Key Insights for Career Success”

Come join Brian Farison for this engaging session where he will share his personal and professional story that spans over 37 years in the Packaging field, covering multiple positions, organizations, and industries. Farison will share key insights that you can immediately apply to ensure a long, successful, and fulfilling career.
Speaker:
Brian Farison, Technical Fellow, Network Partners

Wednesday, May 11
2:00 – 2:50 p.m.

“Developing an Accelerated Aging Protocol per Newly Released ASTM F1980”

Speakers:
Panel to be determined

Wednesday, May 11
3:30 – 4:20 p.m.

“Remediation: Your Ticket to Recognition, Reward, and Future Triumphs”

Inspirational and informative, this high-energy Q&A with medical device insider Abhishek Gautam and veteran packaging journalist Lisa McTigue Pierce lays out a successful plan for gaining recognition for the critically important, yet typically underutilized and undervalued, packaging function.
Speakers:
Abhishek Gautam, Global Director, Packaging, Teleflex
Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor, Packaging Digest

Wednesday, May 11
3:30 – 4:20 p.m.

“Navigating Supply Chain Disruptions through the Lens of ISO 11607”

In this session, we will discuss the obstacles and opportunities to address material disruptions through the lens of ISO 11607 and plan for the future. Let’s explore best practices that define that fine balance between maintaining safety and efficacy and keeping lifesaving technology on the market.
Speaker:
Lon Goldbaum, Sr. Director of Packaging Engineering, Network Partners

Thursday, May 12
8:30 – 8:45 a.m.

Introduction to Day Three Workshop

Thursday, May 12
8:45 – 9:30 a.m.

Challenge 1: Usability with a Disability

Thursday, May 12
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.

Challenge 2: Design for Success

Thursday, May 12
10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

Challenge 3: Sorting Out Sustainability

Thursday, May 12
11:15 – 11:20 a.m.

Workshop Wrap-up

Thursday, May 12
11:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Live Q&A/Close