Among the highlights at EastPack will be two packaging awards: one well-established, one brand-new.
The AmeriStar awards from the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) have honored the most innovative packages every year since 1945. Awards go to outstanding packaging in categories that include frozen, refrigerated and shelf-stable foods for retail and institutional outlets; alcoholic and non-alcohol beverages; pharmaceuticals; electronics; health and beauty aids; household products; automotive products; pet/vet; outdoor/gardening; medical devices; regulated industries; promotional/display; and private label.
"Packaging has become a key differentiator among products and innovative package design generates retail distribution, communicates important product attributes, increases product sales and ensures their safe distribution," says IoPP's executive director Patrick Farrey. "We decided that EastPack is the right platform from which to present the AmeriStar awards because of its proximity to the largest number of manufacturers in the U.S. and the added visibility that winners will gain via the multiple shows produced annually by UBM Canon."
The Visionary Awards are a first-ever program sponsored by the two brands of UBM Canon's Packaging Group: Packaging Digest and Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging News. Awards will be given in two categories: (1) Packaging Production and Operations and (2) Packaging Design and Development. The Visionary Awards are wide-ranging: individuals or teams are eligible, from end-users or contract packagers, from anywhere in the world and across a range of functions and job titles.
"Our Visionary Awards celebrate the people of packaging," says Lisa McTigue Pierce, executive editor of Packaging Digest. "This peer-to-peer competition rewards successful packaging leaders who have shown vision in advancing their company's goals, whether they be to drive innovation, differentiation, savings, growth or some other worthy objective."
The AmeriStar and Visionary awards will take place at a dual ceremony—with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres starting at 4:00 p.m.—in rooms 118A and B in the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the site of EastPack. Articles in Packaging Digest's 50th Anniversary issue in August 2013 and in the Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging News September 2013 issue will honor all the finalists, with special recognition for the winners.
Individual seats are available for $99. A group of 10 seats can be ordered at the discounted rate of $900.
Reservations can be made in advance (encouraged since seating will be limited) or at the door. Visit www.packagingdigest.com/EastPack2013AwardsEvent to secure your seat today to support excellence in packaging and network with the industry's movers and shakers.
