Kari Embree

September 10, 2014

4 Min Read
Seeing double at this year’s Pack Expo

McCormick Place is opening its doors Nov. 2-5 as Pack Expo International 2014 touches down in Chicago where it will be co-located with the new Pharma Expo, which makes its debut in the Windy City. The two events together will be the largest resource for processing and packaging innovation in North America this year which is put on by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.

According to PMMI’s Jim Pittas, vp, trade shows, PMMI expects the two shows to attract a combined 2,000 exhibitors and 50,000 attendees from 130 countries to more than 1.1 million net sq ft of exhibits.

“Pack Expo International is one of the largest trade shows in the country. With this many exhibiting companies, attendees have the chance to see just about any supplier or any kind of technology they need. It’s a breadth and depth of opportunity you just don’t get anyplace else,” Pittas says, noting that attendees can visit both show floors at no additional cost.

“One of the benefits of attending Pack Expo,” he adds, “is how much you can learn, simply by looking at technologies up close, talking to experts and networking with peers. The size and scope of Pack Expo means you’ll encounter—and learn from—innovation everywhere you turn.”

In the zone

While you’re navigating the extensive show floor, be sure to take advantage of the several industry pavilions that coming back to the show floor. These are excellent resources to tap into as they help attendees zero in on the right direction so they can find the technologies they came looking for.

• The Brand Zone: Discover unique containers and materials to differentiate your brand, broaden your appeal, enhance your shelf presence and extend shelf life. Make sure to catch an inspiring display of award-winning designs in the 11th Annual Showcase of Packaging Innovations, sponsored by Dow Chemical Co.

• Confectionery Pavilion:Here attendees can find industry-specific advances that will help create a variety of shapes, tastes and textures, achieve greater flexibility and wrap up a better product. Take advantage of the The Candy Bar lounge where you can network with peers and learn from industry experts.  It’sendorsed by the National Confectioners' Association (NCA).

• The Processing Zone:Start here for front-of-the-line solutions that will help deliver the safety and quality you need at the efficiency and productivity levels you strive to achieve. Suppliers in The Processing Zone will help you make improvements across your whole production line.

• The Reusable Packaging Pavilion: Reduce waste. Slash shipping costs. Protect your goods. Increase productivity and your bottom line. Whether you want to explore reasons like these to invest in reusable packaging or learn how to get more out of assets you already own, this is the place to start. This pavilion is endorsed by the Reusable Packaging Assn. (RPA).

• Food Safety Summit Resource Center:Find information on the latest research and advances—in a field that is constantly changing. This could be the most important stop on the show floor. Talk with experts about topics such as cleaning, allergen control and traceability; and get advice on compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act. The center is organized and owned by Food Safety Summit and co-sponsored by GE.

Live! from Pack Expo

Are you a fan of the Tonight Show? Then you don’t want to miss this exciting opportunity to watch Jay Leno in person. The late-night talk show host for over four decades will be performing Mon., Nov. 3 during the Pack Gives Back event that raises money for K9s for Warriors, an organization dedicated to providing service dogs to military veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress as a result of conflicts and war following 9/11. This is a great chance to kick back and relax with your peers and colleagues after a day on the show floor. 

“We had a unique opportunity to work with K9s for Warriors last year, and came to understand the important work that this organization is doing for the brave men and women who make daily sacrifices for this country,” says Charles Yuska, president/CEO, PMMI. “We see their dedication to the veterans they help and the tremendous benefit to the rescued animals they train.”

Pack Gives Back will be held in the Grand Ballroom (S-100) of the South Building of McCormick Place. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. and Leno will take the stage at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 each, which includes beer, wine and light hors d’oeuvres, and are only available to Pack Expo International and Pharma Expo 2014 registrants. Tickets are on sale at www.packexpointernational.com.

For more information about Pack Expo International 2014 and all the exciting opportunities going on, and to register, visit www.packexpointernational.com or contact PMMI’s show department at 571-612-3200 or [email protected].

SHOW HOURS

Sun.-Wed., Nov. 2-5

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily

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