PACK EXPO International is holding its largest event ever this fall with 1.3 million square feet of exhibit space, over 2,600 exhibitors, and approximately 48,000 packaging and processing professionals from over 40 industries, featuring emerging trends like AI, robotics, and automation alongside new networking programs and a dedicated SMB FastTrack initiative.
- Record Size: 1.3 million net square feet of exhibit space with over 2,600 exhibitors and approximately 48,000 attendees
- Top Company Attendance: 74 of the top 100 food and beverage companies and 21 of the top 25 pharmaceutical companies send buying teams
- Key Industry Trends: AI, robotics, and automation are prominent, addressing workforce shortages and sustainability demands
- New SMB Program: SMB FastTrack connects small and medium-sized businesses with exhibitors offering special financing, discounts, and services
- Networking Events: Young Professional Reception, PACK Gives Back concert, and Women's Leadership Breakfast with keynote speaker Colonel Nicole Malachowski
I love talking about our trade shows and our “main event,” PACK EXPO International. Many of you know that before I was honored to lead PMMI as president and CEO, I led the trade show team at PMMI. It fills me with great pride to see how each show in the PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows–whether it’s one of our regional events, PACK EXPO Southeast and PACK EXPO East, our EXPO PACK shows in Mexico City and Guadalajara, or PACK EXPO Las Vegas and PACK EXPO International–continues to grow and outpace the previous editions.
This fall’s show will be the largest in its history, featuring 1.3 million net square feet of exhibit space, over 2,600 exhibitors, and approximately 48,000 packaging and processing professionals from over 40 vertical markets.
Processing in particular has grown at PACK EXPO International, as what was once North America’s premier packaging trade show has truly become the one-stop event for packaging and processing professionals facing accelerating technological change, workforce shortages, and rising sustainability demands. In the two years since our last show, trends like AI, robotics, and automation have taken off and become prominent in the industry, and as exhibitors, you are offering attendees the opportunity to address these trends head-on.
All of our research points to the opportunity to experience equipment in action in real time as one of the primary reasons two out of every three attendees at PACK EXPO International make or influence purchasing decisions.
And these important attendees come from a who’s who of businesses, with 74 of the top 100 food and beverage companies and 21 of the top 25 pharmaceutical companies sending buying teams to PACK EXPO International.
It’s not just the big guys, however, as many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) come to PACK EXPO with projects in hand. A new feature we added this year is the SMB FastTrack program, which offers these SMBs a powerful way to connect with exhibitors offering special financing, discounts, and services.
With intuitive planning tools, SMB FastTrack simplifies the connection between SMBs and SMB-friendly exhibitors. This exclusive program gives both exhibitors and attendees smarter, faster ways to find each other and unlock new opportunities for business growth.
Exhibitors also still have the opportunity to impact the next-generation workforce through the PMMI Foundation’s Amazing Packaging Race. Connect with the future workforce and be one of the stops during the race. Participating creates unique exposure to the future industry workforce and sparks interest in your company’s distinctive products and offerings.
Finally, I would be remiss not to mention some of the many networking opportunities that exist for exhibitors. For our emerging leaders, the Young Professional Networking Reception wraps up the first day of PACK EXPO on Sunday night at the Game Room at Chicago Athletic Association. The event is free.
On Monday, Oct. 19, PACK Gives Back presents Third Eye Blind at the House of Blues Chicago. Tickets are $95 each (or 10 for $855), and all proceeds benefit the PMMI Foundation.
Tuesday kicks off with the always free-to-attend Packaging and Processing Women’s Leadership Networking breakfast featuring Colonel Nicole Malachowski, a retired U.S. Air Force pilot and the first female Thunderbird pilot. More information on each event and registration details are available online at packexpointernational.com.
As you can see, I’m excited about our biggest event yet and hope you are ready to conduct business in Chicago. I’ll see you there in October!
