As we head into a new year, hope is on the horizon for a return to actual face-to-face meetings with fellow humans that do not involve a computer screen and a webcam. PACK EXPO Connects continues to connect packaging and processing professionals virtually through March 31, 2021. However, the industry craves the networking and sense of community that comes from a live, in-person show.
During a recent interview for the unPACKed with PMMI podcast, PMMI Board member and Chairperson of the PMMI Show Committee, Matt Jones, vice president of sales and aftermarket for Dorner, offered a solid summation of the current state of the industry.
“The one thing that I think we all have to work to overcome is this virtual fatigue that’s taking place as well,” says Jones. “While we’ve invested in a lot of materials and recorded a lot of items to engage with customers via PACK EXPO Connects, we’re also still trying to continue to drive the personal connections.”
In a way, he points to one silver lining that emerged from forced isolation, and that is underlining the necessity of live trade shows and meetings once restrictions lift.
“I think there’s an opportunity for us to have both this type of an event, the PACK EXPO Connects type online event for people who cannot attend the show in person, but what this event did, in no small respect, was really galvanize and reinforce the importance of live events,” Jones says. “And I think that’s a good thing.”
As the producer of a portfolio of trade shows, PMMI agrees and began preparations alongside the Las Vegas Convention Center for PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2021 before PACK EXPO Connects even went live in November, with precautions taking center stage and safety top of mind. Initial space selection took place in Dec. 2020, but booths remain available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Because PMMI is in regular communication with the Convention Center and Las Vegas Visitors Authority, the show management team are constantly updated on the most up-to-date regulations regarding COVID-19 and protocols specific to Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Convention Center is a Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC)-certified facility, and PMMI has staff certified as GBAC-Trained Technicians as well.
What does this mean for you as an exhibitor to ensure your staff is as safe as possible and assure attendees that their health and well-being are top of mind?
- GBAC accreditation confirms the establishment of a cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention program to control and/or minimize the risk associated with infectious agents such as SARS-CoV-2 (responsible for COVID-19 disease) for employees, customers, clients, visitors, the community, and the environment.
- It further establishes a framework for communication and raising awareness of best practices as they relate to cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention.
- With these standards in place, PACK EXPO Las Vegas can provide assurance and establish confidence that proper cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention work practices are in place and implemented.
Looking ahead to 2022, PMMI has begun selling space for PACK EXPO East, with a deadline of March 22. By early April, the wheels will already start to turn for PACK EXPO International and Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2022, with applications for space available for our McCormick Place return Oct. 23-26, 2022.
PMMI will communicate updates regularly to exhibitors of PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO via our Exhibitor Update. Exhibitors should keep an eye out for more information in the coming weeks.
