Critical issues discussed at upcoming sessions

Also on tap for the March 25-27 conference in Atlanta is a panel presentation of purchasing officers from firms including Planters Lifesavers Cos. and Henkel KGaA, a European leader in household and personal care products. The panel will review recent and future packaging materials price trends as well as strategies for coping with the recent turmoil in pricing and availability. Conference sponsor Packaging Strategies Inc. (West Chester, PA) expects close to 400 executives to attend what it calls "The Summit Meeting of the Packaging Industry." For information, call 610/436-4220. Also coming up, on May 2-3 near Baltimore, is a first-time recycling laws conference called "Take it Back!" Co-sponsored by Raymond Communications, Riverdale, MD, and Kranson Industries, St. Louis, MO, the conference will provide insights on recycling legislation and compliance for manufacturers that market in North America and around the world. Keynote speaker is Ken Collins, the chairman of the European Parliament's Environment Committee and a key player in passage of the European Union's Directive for Packaging and Packaging Waste. For information, call 301/345-4237.