Packaging leaders from McCormick & Co., Kraft Foods, General Mills, ConAgra and more will share ideas, tips and their thoughts on future packaging trends and technologies at an intense one-day conference at the Pennsylvania Convention Center during PhillyPack 2015 (Oct. 7-8; Philadelphia).

While the program is strong in the top packaging-consuming food and beverage markets (where a lot of innovation is happening), packaging professionals serving other markets will also benefit from hearing from these packaging industry thought-leaders.

Consumer trends and demographics, automation advances and alternative packaging materials are among the key topics on the agenda (view the full line-up here):

• Keynote Michael Okoroafor, vp, global packaging innovation, McCormick & Co. (left in the photo above), will talk about the best-performing packaging features that consumers value today. His insights come from an illustrious and productive career as a packaging executive at various consumer packaged goods companies, including The Coca-Cola Co. and H.J. Heinz (remember the revolutionary HeinzDip & Squeeze ketchup package?).

• Personalization on the plant floor? What’s that all about? Robotics experts from Fanuc and Schneider Packaging Equipment will explain how advancements in robots are driving down costs and shortening the time between concept and final product. You’ll also hear a case study on how one packaging operation achieved personalization and how it benefitted from it.

• Packaging developers and designers are constantly on the hunt for the next best packaging material innovations. Veritiv product development manager Michael Bashaw aims to show you some new materials for primary and secondary packages that address key concerns for barrier and sustainability.

Additionally, Packaging Digest Editorial Advisory Board members David France and Mary Gregg (shown in the center and right, respectively, in the image above), will participate in two different panel discussions:

France, packaging research fellow, ConAgra Foods Packaging R&I, will be one of three panelists talking about “Collaboration through the Entire Supply Chain to Drive Success & Cost-Effective Packaging Innovation,” along with supply chain and packaging experts from Chobani and Lutece BV.

Gregg, previously global director, next-generation packaging, research and development, Campbell Soup Co., and now an industry consultant, will join packaging executives from Kraft Foods and General Mills in a panel discussion on “Taking Intelligent Risks in Packaging Innovation & Design When Revitalizing or Introducing a Brand.” During the discussion, they’ll identify the packaging triggers that help drive trial and repeat purchase.

Expertly leading attendees through this dynamic program, moderator and conference chair Dan Balan will bring his own insights and energy to the content and discussions. A pioneer in business transformation, Balan is the head of Chicago consulting firm Fastraqq, and creator of The Packaging and Business Innovation Show and the Packaging 360 Leadership course that defines the next paradigm in packaging.

The learning opportunities expand beyond packaging, too. Other manufacturing- and design-related seminars taking place in Philadelphia at the same time include Innovations in 3D Printing, MD&M-Medical Device Innovation and MD&M-New Materials/MedTech Polymers.

These educational sessions enhance the immersion into packaging innovation at the PhillyPack 2015 event. You can also find solutions and inspiration from leading packaging suppliers exhibiting at the show.