Show spotlight seeks middle ground

Amid the clamor of shows in the West, MIDPAK '97 quietly emerges as the sole packaging exhibition in the Midwest. And this year it wears its regional colors proudly, anticipating close to 6ꯠ attendees. MidMed, the medical packaging show held within MIDPAK, is said to have been "created to recognize the growing impact of the medical manufacturing challenges in the packaging industry in the Midwest," according to show management firm Minnesota Events (Plymouth, MN). Co-sponsored by the Minnesota Chapter of the Institute of Packaging Professionals (Plymouth, MN), the exhibition takes place Tuesday, October 21 and 22 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The MIDPAK Packaging Conference is planned for the same two days. A $99 registration covers both the seminar and exposition. Robert Esse, Esse Technologies (Monticello, MN) chairs the conferences. Tuesday 9:15-10:15 Shipping heat- or time-sensitive medical products, is the subject of Claire Troxel, Fedex Corp., and Thomas Pringle, Insulated Shipping Containers. Moderated by Robert Fiedler, Robert Fiedler & Associates, chairman of the ASTM div. on Distribution Packaging, the seminar will discuss commercial shipping channels and the results of a recent shipping test involving UPS and Fedex. 11:00-12:00 In the Digital imaging presentation, attendees can learn how companies are using this emerging technology. Bob Sherer, CL&D Digital, will share applications, trends and case histories of how this technology can meet short-run packaging requirements. 1:30-2:30 Pat Helm, Metsys Eng., will discuss the interconnection of people, machines, packaging materials and product in Optimizing packaging system performance. 3:30-4:30 The ISO 9001 certification process is the topic of Jurita Anshutz, Great Plains Packaging Corp., and Paul Burck, Orion Registrar. They will describe many ISO certification programs. Wednesday 9:15-10:15 In Medical device package system validation: Overview of ISO 11607, Robert Fielder of Robert Fielder and Associates will moderate a panel discussion on the new standard ANSI/AMI/ISO 11607, "Packaging for terminally sterilized medical devices." Participants include Pat Nolan, Distribution Dynamic Labs, Inc., John Spitzlee, Medtronic, and Curt Larsen, Smith Industries Medical Systems. 11:00-12:00 Emerging technologies in flexible packaging will be the focus of Gary Borges, Central States Diversified, and Bruce Kehler, Curwood, Inc. They will discuss issues like cohesive seals on a variety of web structures; metallocenes, UV lacquers and adhesives; and coextruded films. 1:30-2:30 Packaging on the Internet is the topic of Dr. Kenneth Neuberg, University of Wisconsin-Stout. The session will reveal what's needed to get started on the Net and the information sources available to address technical packaging challenges. 3:30-4:30 Expediting the prep and printing of paperboard cartons will be the subject of Bill Pope, Rock-Tenn. Dramatic reductions in lead times for plate making and decorating will be covered. On-site or mail registration for the show itself costs $10; Website registration is free. For registration and other pertinent information, visit www.midpak.com. A list of MIDPAK exhibitors and booth numbers follows.