SouthPack Beckons Packagers from Near and Far

Preparations for SouthPack 2024 are underway, and the anticipation is growing among attendees and exhibitors alike. SouthPack is part of IME South, a six-in-one expo that will be held June 4-6 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC.

IME is the South’s largest annual design and manufacturing event. IME South’s co-located shows are ATX South, D&M South, MD&M South, Plastec South, Powder & Bulk Solids South, and SouthPack.

A welcome reception on June 4 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame will start the expo off on a festive note. The reception will include more than 50 interactive experiences, including race car “driving” on an iRacing simulator and a Pit Crew Challenge.

The following day of the expo will feature a debut: The Workforce Development Reception. This event will follow a panel with participants from Women in Manufacturing; Society of Women Engineers, Charlotte Metrolina Chapter; and the National Society of Black Engineers, Charlotte Chapter. Attendees will be offered a free head shot taken by a professional photographer.

Sessions range from AI to health/beauty packaging.

As a new feature, IME South 2024 will offer three days of content presented on stages at the Packaging & Processing Theater, Advanced Manufacturing Theater, Tech Theater, and MedTech Theater.

Packagers interesting in using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve operations won’t want to miss the expo’s “Industrial AI: Cut Through the Hype and Get Real” keynote.

Keynote speaker Rick Oppedisano, CEO of Delta Bravo, will discuss industrial-AI solutions used by Nucor Steel, Rolls-Royce, and others, explaining the foundational role of data in successful AI use cases.

Additional sessions for packagers include:

• “Packaging Trend Outlook and Impact on Equipment Manufacturers”

• “Success in Sustainability Starts with Digitized Specification Data”

• “Perspectives in Cybersecurity”

• “Best Practices for Integrating Sustainability Without Compromising Performance and Safety”

• “Health and Beauty Packaging Trends”

Packaging Digest’s own Lisa McTigue Pierce will lead the Packaging Trends session “What Worries Packaging Departments Today?” on Thursday, June 6.

On the town in Charlotte.

When not exploring the exhibits and sessions, attendees will find plenty to do in Charlotte, from fine dining to guided tours.

But first things first: Online registration for SouthPack and the other IME South shows is open. Click here to register.