Now, more than ever, packaging and processing professionals need solutions for the rapidly changing business environment. To ensure our industry remains connected during a time when the socially-distanced world has leaned heavily on the items it packages, PMMI Media Group brought together all of its digital marketing expertise and decades of extensive industry knowledge, launching a new live, web-based event like no other, PACK EXPO Connects 2020, Nov. 9-13.
PMMI Media Group began researching the best technologies and platforms in May, to ensure a one of a kind virtual packaging event. PACK EXPO Connects combines the power of PMMI Media Group and the PACK EXPO brand to drive participation by the entire industry and bring together decision-makers from both sides of the table—suppliers and end users from more than 40 vertical industries. PACK EXPO Connects provides suppliers with a virtual showroom for live demos, live chat with product experts, an easily searchable product database conveniently organized by 12 major categories, and more.
Live Product Demonstrations will connect exhibitors with attendees. These time-efficient, 15-minute, live demonstrations will allow attendees to check out what’s new, ask questions, and engage with exhibitors in real-time.
All virtual showrooms on PACK EXPO Connects contain Automatic Lead Capture, eliminating the need for information exchanges that take the focus away from problem-solving.
Live 1:1 Chat will allow attendees to chat directly with exhibitors during dedicated event hours. If an attendee can’t catch an exhibitor during the event hours, virtual business cards will help foster those connections even after the event’s conclusion.
Comprehensive Educational Content will feature thought-provoking sessions from leading suppliers and industry experts on today’s packaging trends. Attendees take the information gleaned from these sessions to enhance their knowledge before heading back into the virtual showrooms for specific solutions. All content noted will be available both as scheduled and on-demand after the event.
In the months leading up to the announcement of PACK EXPO Connects, PMMI Media Group conducted hours—adding up to days—worth of end user interviews with some of the leading consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies in the world. These extensive in-depth interviews had one goal: To ensure PACK EXPO Connects represents exactly what the packaging and processing industry wants out of a web-based event.
Immediately, the number one request across the board was a desire not only to see live technology but also to have the ability to interact with exhibitors during the video demos of actual machines.
PACK EXPO Connects delivers the technology for exhibitors to conduct these interactive connections—complete with live chat features—resembling virtual Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs). These live video demos, coupled with the ability to interact with technical personnel and product experts, best mimic and fulfill the expectations and experience of an in-person event. This also reinforces the need for a collective group of exhibitors demonstrating technology in action like PACK EXPO Connects will offer. PMMI Media Group will provide educational videos for creating engaging demos and offer video specialists to walk exhibitors through the process if necessary.
Beyond experiencing technology in action, attendees want to spend their valuable time exploring new products, rather than existing products presented as new. PMMI Media Group solicited its in-house team of editors to vet what is and isn’t new, serving as neutral industry experts. Together, they will help make sure that attendees are able to track down the latest and greatest offerings and the exhibitors that are presenting them.
Finally, attendees wanted engaging virtual exhibits. The research revealed that attendees are not impressed with fancy 3D renderings of booths on a computer screen. They want to quickly understand what products are available, see live demos, and connect with experts in real-time. As a group, participants revealed that they would prefer fully fleshed out web-based showrooms, complete with live feedback and interactions vs. simple listings offering a static encounter. In other words, they believe that developed, thought out virtual presentations are more worthy of their time, and indicate exhibitors striving to provide a full experience. PACK EXPO Connects has developed the package to ensure exhibitors deliver.
Preview Week is Nov. 2-6. This soft opening will allow registered exhibitors an early showcase for attendees to browse live demo descriptions, build their planner, and save items to Outlook calendars. Organization and pre-planning are the keys to success as there will be so much to see and experience at PACK EXPO Connects.
