Innovation will again be in the spotlight with PMMI’s 3rd PACK EXPO Selects competition, in which PACK EXPO attendees choose the most innovative packaging of the year from a field of entries developed, produced and/or executed by PACK EXPO International exhibitors.

“Introducing an innovative new package to market is a challenge. Doing it with style and finesse is an accomplishment,” said Francesco C. Leboffe, vice president of marketing, PMMI.

Any PACK EXPO International 2008 exhibitor may submit a package for judging that has been developed, produced or executed by PACK EXPO International exhibitors and is being used by a customer to contain product in the commercial marketplace within the last 12 months. Entries must be received by Aug. 29, 2008. A panel of packaging professionals will narrow the field and choose finalists.

Finalists will be displayed at PACK EXPO International 2008, at The Showcase of Packaging Innovations^® exhibit sponsored by The Dow Chemical Co. PACK EXPO attendees use the My PACK EXPO kiosks to cast their votes on site  for the PACK EXPO Selects Package/system they think most inventive.

“Winning this contest is quite an honor,” added Leboffe. “Winners are chosen by their peers and customers. In addition, the winning packages will be recognized in PMMI newsletters and PMT magazine, and featured on packexpo.com. Other publicity is sure to follow!”

There is no fee to enter the PACK EXPO Selects competition, but entrants must meet the following criteria:

- All contributors named in an entry must be PACK EXPO International 2008 exhibitors.
- Entries must have debuted in the marketplace within the last 12 months.
- Commercial packages must currently be in market.

In 2007, Shure Inc.’s Shure Music Phone Adapter, submitted by Combined Technologies Inc., won the competition. The 2006 winner was Beneful® Prepared Meals^™ Dog Food, featuring the work of Alcoa Packaging, Hans Rychiger AG, Orics Industries Inc., PDC International Corporation and Printpack, Inc.

The PACK EXPO Selects entry form is online at www.packexposelects.com.

In addition to completing the entry form, entrants must send samples of each submission to PMMI; 4350 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 600; Arlington, Va. 22203. Attn: Francesco C. Leboffe.

About PMMI

PMMI is a trade association with more than 550 member companies that manufacture packaging and packaging-related converting machinery, commercially-available packaging machinery components, containers and materials in the United States and Canada. PMMI's vision is to be the leading global resource for packaging, and its mission is to improve and promote members' abilities to succeed in a global marketplace.PMMI organizes the PACK EXPO trade shows: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas and EXPO PACK México. Learn more about PMMI at pmmi.org

PACK EXPO International will be held November 9-13, 2008 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. The show will be co-located with PROCESS EXPO and Converting & Package Printing EXPO.PMMI also produces EXPO PACK México, the premier packaging show in Mexico serving the Latin American region. This show will be held June 23-26, 2009 at Centro Banamex, Mexico City, Mexico. PACK EXPO Las Vegas will be held October 5-7, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Visit www.packexpo.com for more information.