In an effort to provide packaging students an opportunity to fully explore the show floor, interact with exhibitors and attendees, all while learning and interacting with new technologies, PMMI will be launching The Amazing Packaging Race at PACK EXPO International this year, being held in Chicago, Illinois, October 31- November 3, 2010. Every year, PACK EXPO International hosts over 600 packaging students, from across North America , giving them an opportunity to network with, and learn from, industry leaders.

“PACK EXPO International is the world’s largest packaging and processing classroom,” says Maria Ferrante, Vice President of Education and Workforce Development at PMMI.  “The Amazing Packaging Race is an activity designed for the packaging students that will give them an invaluable opportunity to interact with our PACK EXPO exhibitors and attendees, who will also benefit by having a chance to network with the next generation of industry leaders.”

The premise of the Amazing Packaging Race, sponsored by Nordson Corporation, is for packaging students to visit participating exhibitor booths and complete tasks of varying difficulty in order to earn points – the team with the most points at the end of the contest wins. The competition will take place on Wednesday, November 3^rd.

Students will be broken out into teams and have a three hour timeframe to compete.  At the close of the contest, participating teams will gather at the Nordson Corporation booth to determine the winner. Each member of the winning team will walk away with a new iPad ®. Student teams will navigate the contest with the use of Four Square, an internet based geo-location tool, as well as utilizing tools such as the PACK EXPO product locators.

“It is important for PMMI to engage our packaging students with the show exhibits,” said Chuck Yuska, PMMI President and CEO.  “By coordinating this activity between students, exhibitors and attendees, we are providing them with an opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with leaders in the packaging and processing industry, giving them a hands-on learning experience.”

PACK EXPO International exhibitors can participate in The Amazing Packaging Race by volunteering to host one of the many learning activities. Exhibitors can sign up to participate by contacting Danny Martinez, PMMI education coordinator at dmartinez@pmmi.org or 703-243-8555.