Experts, suppliers and manufacturers in the pulp, paper, packaging and converting industries will converge in Portsmouth, Va., for The TAPPI PLACE 2008 conference.

The organization known as TAPPI (Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry)-the world’s largest trade organization for the pulp, paper, packaging and converting industries-is gearing up for its PLACE conference for members of its polymers, laminators, adhesives, coatings and extrusions division. This year’s TAPPIPLACE conference will be held Sept.14-17, at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel in Virginia.

Conference attendees can expect to take part in discussions or sit in on sessions covering topics such as food safety and regulatory issues, renewable polymers, sustainability and flexible packaging, active and smart packaging, solvent-less adhesives, aqueous coatings and primers, and web handling and winding. In addition to the educational sessions, they can also network with engineers, managers, specialists, suppliers, end users and consultants from the flexible packaging and converting industry. PLACE 2008 offers technical features tailored to the needs of every attendee.

With 65 sessions, there is indeed something for everyone. Titles for some of those sessions include: “I can’t take it any longer-where is my primer guy?”; “The evolution of die technology;” and “Innovations in sensing and control for web guiding flexible packaging substrates.” Visit the conference website for a full schedule of sessions.

Two keynote addresses at PLACE will focus on sustainability in the packaging industry. (1) Drew Gilchrist, vice president of sales for Vanguard Packaging & Display, will deliver the first keynote address: “Wal-Mart and Sustainability.” Gilchrist is part of Wal-Mart’s Sustainable Value Network and participates in the Wal-Mart’s Retail Link Users Group. (2) The second keynote address will be given by A.J. “Tony” Burns from Procter & Gamble.

In addition to his sustainability duties with P&G, Burns serves on the Advisory Board for the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. Beyond the keynote speeches on sustainability, PLACE will also offer a special conference session on Tuesday, Sept. 16, called TheSustainability Workshop. Participants will learn about the sustainability trio; the “quote to cash” technique for bottom line improvement; waste elimination; disciplined paths for problem solving; the three Rs; and the Wal-Mart Score Card.

Other events connected with the event include:
  • the New Technology Showcase, a series of eight-minute sales and educationalpresentations on a range of topics, scheduled for Monday morning;
  • a River Cruise on the “Carrie B”, a replica of a 19th Century PaddlewheelRiverboat on Wednesday evening;
  • the Tabletop Display and Networking Reception, where attendees can meetface-to-face with suppliers on Monday night.


AT-A-GLANCE
What:TAPPI PLACE conference
Where:Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel, Portsmouth, Va.
When:Sun.-Wed., Sept. 14-17
Call:770-446-1400
Visit:www.tappi.org