PACK EXPO Las Vegas: Action under the lights

The latest developments in packaging technology and exhibitors' state-of-the-art advances in packaging machinery, converting machinery, materials, packages, containers and components comprise PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2007. The show will feature more than 1,200 companies utilizing 500,000+ net sq ft of contiguous exhibit space.

An audience of more than 25,000 purchasing decision-makers is expected. Attendees will represent a targeted range of the industries' end users: food & beverage/wine; bakery & snack; cosmetics & toiletries; dairy; drugs & pharmaceutical/medical; chemical; candy & confection; raw materials; paper & textiles; electronics/parts; computer hardware/software; entertainment; soaps & detergents; and many more.

Central to the show are several special-theme pavilions. The Containers & Materials Pavilion features leading materials, containers and components companies exhibiting their latest innovations in paperboard, glass, metal, plastic, flexible packaging and package-producing equipment.

The Brand Protection Center brings together a select group of packaging-security professionals and service providers. The need to protect packaging operations against the threats of bio-terrorism, counterfeiting and product adulteration continues to be an issue in today's marketplace. In the pharmaceutical arena, for example, this is partly due to heightened awareness from the FDA's anti-counterfeiting taskforce for ensuring the safety of the drug supply. Many available safety solutions can work with existing packaging. Others may not.

RFID Pavilion: The cutting edge of automatic identification, radio frequency identification (RFID) is driving basic changes in packaging. Whether for customer compliance or improved operational efficiency, RFID is embedding its way onto the packaging front.

Every contributor in the packaging supply chain will find the Contract Packaging Pavilion an invaluable tool for weighing the many options made possible by contract-packaging partners.

New this year is the “Design for Profit” Pavilion, sponsored jointly by the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute [(PMMI) www.packexpo.com] and xpedx (www.xpedx.com). The pavilion will focus on the methods used to propel package design from idea through implementation. The pavilion will demonstrate how successful packaging designs incorporate a variety of materials and support a cross section of industry sectors and consumer needs. “PMMI and xpedx are working together to unmask the mystery of packaging design by showing the before, during and after transformations that occur,” notes Charles D. Yuska, president and CEO of PMMI. “Attendees will see first-hand package designs that support current market trends, including sustainability, convenience packaging and single-source formats.”

As a leading packaging supplier to the consumer and industrial goods industries, xpedx provides a full array of packaging solutions and is a strong collaborator with its packaging supply-chain alliances. Many xpedx suppliers are also PACK EXPO exhibitors and will showcase the machinery, materials and services necessary to make effective package design a reality. “In today's manufacturing environment, packaging design is successful when it meets the evolving requirements of consumers and retailers while protecting and showcasing the product it contains,” says Mark Matthews, vp of marketing, packaging, for xpedx. “Together with organizations like PMMI and other market leaders who are exhibiting at this year's show, xpedx is redefining the future of packaging through our focus on innovative design.” The “Design for Profit Pavilion will be located close to The Showcase of Packaging Innovations™ display, which are both found inside the show's Containers & Materials Pavilion.

More than 400 innovative, international containers, winners of the most prestigious packaging awards, will be displayed in a gallery of inventive packaging. This year, The Showcase of Packaging Innovations™ is sponsored by The Dow Chemical Co. Package designs from 13 internationally known packaging associations will be included. Five new groups will participate this year: Gravure Association of America; HBA Global Expo; the North American Packaging Association; Packaging Association of Canada; and the Packaging and Labeling Gravure Association.

Other participants include: ABRE—Brazilian Packaging Association; Asociacion Mexicana de Envase y Embalaje; the Association of Industrial Metallizers, Coaters & Laminators (AIMCAL); the Flexible Packaging Association; the Glass Packaging Institute; the Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council; Instituto Argentino Del Envase; and the Paperboard Packaging Council.

Two additional shows and one convention are co-locating with PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2007. The focus of the PROCESS EXPO will be on the newest developments in processing technology to meet the challenges faced by the industry's food and beverage manufacturers. That show's exhibitors will demonstrate equipment in the fruit and vegetable, beverage, canning/freezing, environmental, instrumentation, prepared foods, canmaking, meat, dairy and snack food industries. PROCESS EXPO will attract qualified buyers representing every market segment of the food industry from all corners of the U.S. and more than 75 countries. Visitors can find the latest in food processing equipment, engineering/architectural design services and cooling/freezing. PROCESS EXPO is sponsored and produced by Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA). The Converting & Packaging Printing (CPP) EXPO will also be co-located. Reflecting synergies of the package printing, converting and finishing machinery, CPP EXPO showcases the latest in printing, coating, slitting and other state-of-the-art finishing processes. New this year, the International Bottled Water Association's (IBWA) 2007 Tabletop Trade Show will also be co-located. It will run from Oct. 15 to 19 at the Las Vegas Hilton.

SHOW REGISTRATION

Fee: In advance of Sept. 24, $25.

After Sept. 24 or onsite, $55.

Go to www.packexpo.com or call the PMMI show office at 703/243-8555.

SHOW HOURS

Monday, Oct. 15: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 16: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 17: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.