About the Conference

The Michigan State University School of Packaging will present WORLDPAK 2002 from June 23 to June 28, 2002, on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. This international conference, which will be held in cooperation with the International Association of Packaging Research Institutes (IAPRI), is expected to draw from 600 to 800 participants. About one-third of the attendees will be from outside the United States. In addition to keynote addresses by some of the world 's leading packaging experts, the conference will feature presentations by participants from industry and research institutes.

The scientific program is nearly complete. Proposals for oral papers and posters that will make up the program have been received and reviewed by program coordinators, and acceptance letters are being sent. WORLDPAK will feature more than 150 oral presentations organized into about 25 topical sessions. In addition, time and space for posters will be provided. To date, paper proposals have been received from individuals in more than 20 countries, as shown on the following list.

WORLDPAK 2002 also marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the School of Packaging and will include an array of alumni activities.

An exhibit at the MSU Museum will highlight "A Story of Packaging." Other activities will include a reception, a conference banquet, a fun night, a social program, factory visits, tours of the School of Packaging, and exhibits.

This will be the second collaboration between the School of Packaging and IAPRI. In 1984 the school hosted the very successful fourth IAPRI International Conference on Packaging.