Food and beverage packaging executives and engineers attending the 2015 Global Food & Beverage Packaging Summit (July 7-8; Chicago) will hear peer-to-peer insights on proven technologies, strategies and new tactics.

For example, Joe Pagliaro, director of innovation and packaging for Heineken USA, will deliver the opening keynote on July 7 at the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile. Pagliaro led Heineken USA to be recognized as a Visionary company in Packaging Digest’s 50th anniversary celebration during 2013 for (among other developments) an innovative bottle design, the Ignite, with micro sensors to detect motions and LED lights that respond to sounds and motions.

In his presentation titled “A Wave of Packaging Innovation: How to Commercialize the Next Big Thing,” Pagliaro will discuss:

• How to cost-effectively develop and promote a product to fit a consumer need they may not know they need yet.

• The risks of staying stagnant with your current design or package.

• The next stages in Open Innovation.

Pagliaro’s presentation will kick off two full days of conference sessions, with panel discussions on intelligent packaging and new materials for sustainability, sessions on Innovation and Design for Millennials, presentations on new technologies such as 3D Printing and much more.

The Global Food & Beverage Packaging Summit is produced by Packaging Digest and its owner UBM Canon. View the full agenda at fbpackaging.com. When you like what you see, you can register here.

Conference program director Kayleigh Milas lays out more good reasons to attend our dynamic event in this exclusive Packaging Digest interview.

What’s new at this year’s event?

Milas: One of the most exciting new features this year is the Supplier Showcase. Packaging is the sole focus at this event, so there will be a beneficial, one-on-one atmosphere for those coming to do business. We’re also setting up in a new location this year—the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile. A little change of scenery is always nice.

For those who want to dive into the conference (and if you’re reading this, you should!), there’s an opportunity for additional networking. A brainstorming session will give delegates a chance to collaborate by coming up with solutions to a common packaging problem. It’s a chance for professionals to work with people with various job titles from different companies they might not get to work with otherwise.

The Global Food and Beverage Packaging Summit continues to grow every year, and we’re excited for everyone to see what we have planned.

What is the value of attending the Showcase?

Milas: The latest packaging developments and technology will be at your fingertips. Professionals will be able to meet face-to-face with exhibitors and ask them questions all day. But there is also the added value of having a packaging-focused conference running alongside the Showcase.

Why would it be helpful to bring several people on a packaging team to the conference?

Milas: We’re bringing back two separate afternoon tracks. One caters to marketing and branding professionals, and the other is geared toward production and engineering technical intelligence. The packaging process involves many folks along the way who deal with different aspects of getting a package from concept to shelf—package development and science all the way to marketing and branding.

Packaging teams can split up and get education from both tracks. The Marketing and Branding Strategies track offers insight on brand redesign, millennial trends, the growth of private labels and more. The Production and Engineering Technical Intelligence track will explore new packaging materials, advances in automation and robotics, and 3D printing applications. The tracks start after lunch, so everyone will be able to sit in on the morning sessions, which tackle broad topics such as consumer trends, ecommerce packaging, Nutrition Facts label changes and brand extensions.

What feedback did we get from last year’s conference that helped shape this one?

Milas: We received positive feedback after last year’s Global Food & Beverage Packaging Summit. We’re making sure to bring back all the things people said they liked—two tracks, panel discussions, experts from brands—but we’re making sure we take it to the next level by having more panel discussions and more access to brand expertise. Past delegates also said they’d like access to more suppliers, which helped shaped the new Showcase.  

What does the location—downtown Chicago—add to the event?

Milas: Chicago is a packaging hub. A downtown location gives those attending the conference the ability to make connections outside of conference hours…as well as enjoy all the sights Chicago has to offer.