Powerful agenda set for sustainability conference

Pira International, in association with Packaging Digest and Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging News, is pleased to announce the preliminary agenda for Sustainability in Packaging 2011. This year's event will take place February 22-24 at the Doubletree Resort Orlando International Drive in Orlando, Florida, USA. This top-level and interactive event focuses on current trends and the most up-to-date information affecting sustainability in the packaging industry.

"Since the conference was first launched five years ago, we've seen the continuous evolution of sustainability in packaging," says John Kalkowski, Packaging Digest editorial director and conference chairman. "Packaging professionals recognize this is a complex issue that needs constant monitoring. We've built the agenda around topics the industry has told us are important to them, so researchers, engineers, marketers and salespeople can stay abreast of the latest developments in sustainability."

"Sustainability in Packaging 2011 will feature many new speakers on this year's agenda to bring a fresh look at the many components of this issue. We are very proud of this preliminary agenda and we're working to add even more top-level presenters for the complete agenda release in December," said Olga Adamovich, conference director at Pira International. "The 2010 Sustainability in Packaging conference attracted more than 300 top leaders and nearly 25 exhibitors from a wide breadth of companies and we anticipate greater industry participation, more energy in the exhibit hall and many engaging and timely conversations at the conference this next year."

Sustainability in Packaging 2011 will include a plenary panel lead by Procter and Gamble on "getting the worth out of packaging", two new sessions on extended producer responsibility and end of life and waste management concerns in addition to the conversations on innovations in materials and design and the latest industry case studies. The fully customizable agenda will allow the attendees to tailor the program to their needs and experience level and get answers that are most relevant to them.

Industry leaders already confirmed to participate include Ido Leffler of Yes To Inc., Paul Comey of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Gary Wygant of The Coca-Cola Recycling, Alan Blake of Procter & Gamble; Amanda Holder of Berry Plastics Corporation, James Kohm of the Federal Trade Commission, Peter Swaine of Seventh Generation, Tom Venegas of Clif Bar & Company, Steve Davies of NatureWorks and many others! On Tuesday, Feb, 22, attendees can benefit from a full day of pre-conference seminars led by Laurel McEwen of EarthShift, Shawn Blenis of Intertek USA and Dr. Ramani Narayan of Michigan State University.

The complete agenda will be announced in mid-December. For more information about Sustainability in Packaging 2011 or to register, visit www.sustainability-in-packaging.com.