The first Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Assn. (AIPIA) meeting, will take place during the TokyoPack exhibition in Japan, from Oct. 1-3. The commercial development of A&IP technologies in the West will be its key theme. The association believes A&IP can provide a vital stimulus to economic activity in the European Union and the U.S. particularly.

Director of the association, Eef de Ferrante, says, "We are delighted to be taking a delegation to TokyoPack. The Japanese have been using Active & Intelligent packaging commercially for several years they can teach us a lot about how to implement and popularize the technologies. This will help us speed up implementation in Western markets. There could be some partnering possibilities too," he adds. "It is a great opportunity to see, first hand, A&IP in action and meet companies who have actually ‘done it'! 

"Intelligent packs will add a new dimension to the way companies market their products, lock in customer loyalty programs or promotions and discover customer buying patterns. The added security offered by these and active packs will guarantee quality and traceability. Mobile commerce and automated payments are already exploding in popularity, NFC [near field communications] enabled packs can only increase this," he continues. 

During the congress AIPIA will organise tours of local retail outlets to see how local supermarkets, shops, pharmacies and Japanese consumers use Active & Intelligent packs and how widely available and accepted the technology has become.

The congress will last for three days, from Oct. 1-3, and with an initial "orientation" program on offer to enable members and delegates to identify key areas of interest and innovations both in Tokyo's retail spaces and at the TokyoPack exhibition, where many companies will demonstrate their A&IP expertise.

"The Congress and Tour will also be the first opportunity to bring together our members in an innovative business environment and establish the program for AIPIA going forward," adds de Ferrante. "We will organise a tour of shops using A&IP and a conference session to discuss and learn about successful Business Models for the technology. There will also be plenty of opportunities to network with other members and meet A&IP experts."

The association has engaged the services of EP Resources, who are based in Singapore and have extensive knowledge of the region, to assist them with organising the Congress program.

Stuart Hoggard, the CEO at EP, has done extensive research on Japan's packaging markets and spoken on the topic at several major international conferences, as well as publishing three major industry reports on the country. 

Full details of the Congress are available on the AIPIA website and a registration form can be filled in on line. An early booking discount is available until Aug. 1. Spaces will be limited due to the format of the Congress/Tour.

For more details of the AIPIA Congress and how to become a member of the association please contact director Eef de Ferrante at [email protected].

Source: Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Assn. (AIPIA)

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