Five industry leaders have been named to PMMI's packaging hall of fame. The Packaging Hall of Fame Class of 2011 is Victor Del Rosso, Hi-Speed Checkweigher (retired); Lawrence C. Dull, MS, CPP, Packaging Knowledge Group; Arthur Gustafson, Algus Packaging; Thomas L. Schneider, CPP, Industrial & Shippers Supply; and M.H. "Pete" Wallace, SWF Machinery (retired). 

The Class of 2011 will be honored in a reception at the Las Vegas Hilton on Monday, Sept. 26, in conjunction with PACK EXPO Las Vegas, which is produced by PMMI. Proceeds from the reception benefit the Packaging Education & Training Foundation.

"This is a fascinating group of packaging professionals. They've contributed to the community as mentors, inventors, entrepreneurs, engineers and thinkers. Each has accomplished so much, and given so much, to the packaging industry and the people around them," says Maria Ferrante, vp, education and workforce development, PMMI.

A special reception and induction ceremony will be held on Monday, Sept. 26, at 4:15 p.m., at the Las Vegas Hilton, which is adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center and 2011 PACK EXPO Las Vegas. Tickets are available for $75 each, and table sponsorships range from $1,500 to $3,000. Proceeds from the reception benefit PMMI's Packaging Education and Training Foundation, which offers scholarships for students in two- or four-year packaging programs. The entire packaging community is invited to support the industry, its leaders and their colleagues.

"The Packaging Hall of Fame reception has always supported packaging education, but education is so much a core value for this entire class, that I can't help but think the connection this year is particularly clear," Ferrante notes.

The Class of 2011 was chosen by the Packaging Hall of Fame Commission, who reviewed, discussed and selected this year's inductees. The commission includes Ferrant in addition to Tom Egan, vp, industry services, PMMI; Nick Wilson, PMMI chairman, president, Morrison Container Handling Solutions; John Kalkowski, editorial director, Packaging Digest; Jeff Bigger, president/owner, MASSMANN Automation Designs, LLC; Robert Dennen, chairman of the board, Institute of Packaging Professionals ; Jim DeCosta, global DEO technology and innovation manager, Unilever HPCNA; Mark Jacobson, vp, Econocorp Inc.; Timm Johnson, vp, sales and marketing, Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery Inc.; Robert Kimmel, chair, department of packaging science, Clemson University; Bob Larkin, director of packaging and graphics development, ACH Food Companies Inc.; Rick Lingle, editor in chief, Food & Beverage Packaging; Ben Miyares, managing director, The Packaging Management Institute; Sean Riley, editor, PMT magazine; Joe Angel, vp/publisher, Packaging World; Jay Singh, Ph.D, professor industrial tech. dept., Pkg. Program, California Polytechnic State University; and Mark Yunker, principal packaging engineer, ConAgra Foods, Inc. 

For more information and to purchase tickets and sponsorships, visit PMMI.org