ISTA’s mission to empower the people and organizations affecting packaging to minimize product damage throughout distribution and optimize resource usage through effective package design continues to be greatly influenced by packaged-product performance testing.  As part of our strategic plan to deliver on this mission, ISTA is in process of developing a new “Distribution Environment Data Collection Program” with the primary goal of expanding our distribution environment data resources.  This data will then be leveraged to improve current testing protocols, add new testing protocols, and create a world-class data repository that can be leveraged by ISTA, and its members, to better model distribution locally, nationally, and internationally.  

Through both directly-funded research and industry collaboration, we’ve set a goal to obtain atmospheric, vibration, storage, and handling data that meets our established Data Collection Standards for five prioritized global distribution routes.  This data will then be developed and implemented into ISTA test procedures as deemed appropriate by the ISTA Testing Council and Technical Division Board.   

We are also interested in working with members of the community who own data for routes outside of these identified target areas and have interest in sharing and building the ISTA data repository.  This will ultimately serve to improve testing and package design globally.  

We are excited for this opportunity to collaborate with the ISTA community to continue pushing package performance testing and design forward.  Contact ISTA VP of Research and Education, Brian O'Banion (bobanion@ista.org) , directly with any questions or to note interest in participation.  
 

We are pleased to be hosting the 2019 ISTA Forum next May 13-16 in the Mile-High City – Denver, Colorado – at the brand-new Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center.  We've added speakers to the program and registration is open! Keep checking back as we continue to add speakers to the program. Certified Packaging Laboratory (CPLP) and Responsible Packaging by Design (RPbD) Training and Certification will be offered prior to the Forum on May 12th and 13th.

ISTA's Forum brings together the packaging community through two co-located events, TransPack and TempPack. TransPack provides a balance of valuable presentations, case studies, research and solutions from world-leading experts surrounding the optimization of packaging for transport.  TempPack focuses on technical topics related to global temperature controlled performance packaging. The TempPack event creates an opportunity for presenters to share their insights, challenges, case studies and research having a direct impact on the industry.  Both events are designed to create opportunities for you to network with like-minded professionals who are facing the same challenges in all different sectors and verticals.

ISTA’s e-newsletter, InTouch is delivered to members and non-members around the world and features the latest news from ISTA Headquarters including upcoming events and any industry trends and insights. Our new e-newsletter replaces the digital publication, ista views – you can expect the same extensive content, just now delivered to you more frequently and in a user-friendly format. InTouch is a great place to advertise your product and services and deliver your message to 8,000+ contacts. Please contact ISTA at ista@ista.org to reserve your advertising opportunity.