If you want to sharpen the techniques that prove the value of your package design through market research, plan to attend the 8th annual “Proof: Market Research & Development For Package Design” conference. The event will be from Sept. 25-27, 2006, at the Drake Hotel in Chicago.

Proof is hosted by the Institute for International Research, and Shelf Impact! again will be a media partner this year.

Among the roster of speakers will be:

• Amy Zettlemoyer, Director of Packaging at Sam’s Club. She will discuss the packaging sustainability initiatives under way at both Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club.

• Loie Maxwell, Creative Director at Target Stores. Maxwell will speak on the topic “Delivering Design Innovation Through Packaging: Tapping into the ‘Luxury for All’ Mass Market.”

• Jeff Miller, Industrial Designer and Director of Product Development at Fisher-Price Toys. He will explore “The Shape of Things to Come: Innovations and Trends in Shape.”

Conference speakers will also present actionable tools to create packaging that achieves brand supremacy and the latest research methods, including shopper insights, ethnography, and in-store testing techniques. Concurrent breakout sessions will cover research and insights, brand and product management, and packaging and design innovation.

- To register, call 888/670-8200 or visit www.iirusa.com/packaging.