SouthPack to span the packaging gamut: the show in Atlanta will showcase supplies and the latest information, especially on drug packaging regulations - SouthPack Show Preview - food packaging conference in Atlanta, Georgia

Food & Drug Packaging, April, 2003

JoAnn Hines started Women in Packaging when, as she says, "There were so few of them that they were invisible. I still have people five years after the fact saying `I thought I was the only woman out there'"

Women in Packaging provides support and professional advice for women across all aspects of the packaging field, including suppliers, users and transportation companies. The organization puts out seminars, articles, Web sites and other supportive information geared to the special needs of professional women.

These needs often are rooted in the reluctance of women to promote themselves and make helpful connections, Hines says.

"Most women are net ready to toot their horns or wave their own flags," she says. "They're very reluctant to promote themselves in an environment where they're in front of the right people at the right time.... Women don't know how to network. Women do it differently than men and they really need to be educated as to how to get into the networking loop."

The "Are You a Packaging 10?" seminar, to be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 29 at the Westin Peachtree Plaza In Atlanta, features 10 points:

* 10 minutes to capture attention

* 10 minutes to tell who you are

* 10 strategies

* 10 ways to 52 transform career

* Meeting 10 people who are leaders in the industry

* 10 tips for career management in turbulent times

* 10 strategies for career advancement

* 10 contacts to add to your list

* 10 networking secrets

* 10 methods for improving your personal brand

The atmosphere will be very informal to encourage as much mingling as possible, Hines says. The end of the program will concentrate on women's perspectives on such issues as balancing work and family.

Women still have a long way to go in the packaging field, but they're making progress, Hines says.

"It's gotten easier in that women are beginning to fill pipeline through middle management," she says. "But there is till a dearth of women at the senior executive levels. But it also is easier because more and more companies are open to promoting women into different jobs that were unavailable when I started my career."

For more information, call 770-924-3563 or access www.womeninpackaging.org.