The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) and the Australian Packaging & Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) have joined forces on a new initiative: Packaging & Processing Week. This new annual event, owned and operated by the two associations, will be staged alternately alongside two well-established biennial events – the AIP National Conference and AUSPACK exhibition respectively.
As the peak educational body for the Australian packaging industry, and with over 50 years' experience in education and training, the AIP will deliver the education component of the week each year.
Showcasing innovation in machinery and packaging solutions will be the role of the APPMA, which has been established for over 30 years and next year celebrates the 30th anniversary of its hallmark AUSPACK trade show.
Packaging & Processing Week is driven by a number of objectives common to both associations, to benefit their members and the broader industry. Top of the list is to support, encourage and recognise innovation within the packaging and processing industries; and to drive initiatives to deliver improved and on-going education, training and development for the packaging and processing industries.
Mark Dingley, chairman of the APPMA, says his association believes Packaging and Processing Week provides an opportunity to capitalise on the coming together of industry and deliver additional initiatives that support both [AIP and APPMA] individual and collective objectives.
"We would like to see Packaging & Processing Week attract a larger audience from all sectors of the industry and each year provide opportunities for members, exhibitors and sponsors to leverage increased value from their investment. These initiatives will take the form of more focused educational activities targeting industry segments, social and networking events, additional awards recognising industry achievements and educational sponsorship to name a few," Dingley said.
AIP national president Ralph Moyle, echoed this sentiment, and added: "The AIP is very excited about introducing Packaging & Processing Week as it will allow two of the leading packaging industry associations the opportunity to combine their significant areas of expertise to offer the industry more diverse initiatives that focus on education, knowledge and innovation.
"Bringing packaging, processing, materials and components under one educational banner will ensure that our offerings are much better-suited going forward to cater for all areas of the industry.
"The AIP and the APPMA complement each other and this agreement is an on-going commitment that we will work together to improve AUSPACK, the National Technical Forums and the AIP National Conference to ensure that there is something for everyone."
The annual event will serve to encourage interaction and networking across all sectors of the wider packaging industry on a regular basis, enhancing the value proposition of both the national conference and AUSPACK.
