新的Pack Expo竞赛挑战学生的创造力

PACK Challenge, a brand-new packaging competition will bring six high school teams together for a head-to-head machine-building challenge at PACK EXPO International (Oct. 23-26; McCormick Place, Chicago), according to show producer, PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.

“We are excited to introduce this first-of-its-kind competition and watch the students roll up their sleeves in a real-world application while they learn,” says Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. “One of our main priorities is getting students involved at a young age and showing them the doors the manufacturing industry can open. This competition will give them first-hand experience of what a career in manufacturing could look like.”

PMMI will provide a build-to-print snack filler machine kit, designed specifically for this competition, along with an assembly manual to the qualifying teams who will build the machine at their school over the summer. At the show, each team will re-assemble the snack filler to the specifications, compete for best design, and host competitions, marketing, and sales presentations. Teams will have the flexibility to be creative with add-ons.

The overall best in show team will be awarded $6,000 with second place receiving $3,000 and third $1,000. Other awards include Filler Performance Gold Cup, Most Creative Filler Design and Marketing/Sales presentations. After the event, the teams will take the machines back to their school, providing future students the opportunity for hands-on experience.

“To address the imminent skills gap, PMMI is working at developing many programs to show students the world of manufacturing,” says Kate Fiorianti, senior manager, Workforce Development, PMMI. “This brand-new competition is meant to excite students and pique their interest to want to learn more. As a result, we have a multitude of resources available to both parents and students to get involved and advance the future of this critical industry.”

ThePMMI Foundationworks to grow awareness of careers in packaging and processing and provides financial support for packaging and processing education throughout the U.S and Canada. Since its inception in 1998, the PMMI Foundation has given more than $2.6 million to strengthen the workforce within the packaging and processing industry. For more information on student opportunities, contact Kate Fiorianti atkfiorianti@pmmi.org

PACK EXPO International also offers multiple otherprograms and activities旨在使学生对包装和处理的职业感到兴奋，并将他们与行业中的专业导师联系起来。除了令人兴奋的网络活动和学生计划外，Pack Expo International的亮点还将是新的，从未见过的新解决方案，来自展厅上的数千名主要供应商，将所有垂直行业聚集在一起，以产生交叉授粉想法和跨界解决方案只能在面前发现。

To learn more and to register, visitpackexpointernational.com. Registration for the show is $30 until Sept. 30, after which it increases to $130.