World Packaging Organisation elects Australia's Pierre Pienaar as president

During Interpack 2017 the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) formally announced that Pierre Pienaar, education director of the Australian Institute of Packaging, has been elected as the next president of the organisation.

Pierre Pienaar MSC, FAIP, CPP is currently VP education for the WPO and has been instrumental in establishing the training programs for developing countries across the globe. He will take office in January 2018, when current president Tom Schneider’s term ends.

The appointment is well-timed as it coincides with Australia hosting the prestigious WPO WorldStar Awards.

Pienaar said an important part of his role will be to raise the profile of the WPO as the leading global packaging industry organisation, and that the international event being staged in Australia next year will serve to raise awareness of the WPO in this important region.

“In May next year, when the WPO holds its meeting and WorldStar Awards in Australia, it will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase the Australia and New Zealand packaging industry’s expertise in designing world-class packaging solutions,” he said.

The WorldStar Awards will run with the 2018 Packaging and Design Innovation Awards, the biennial AIP National Conference and the 100th WPO biannual meeting, which will be held from 2–3 May 2018 at the Marriott Hotel, Surfers Paradise, Queensland.

Image caption: WPO president-elect Pierre Pienaar (left) with incumbent president Tom Schneider.