The 2018 PACK EXPO International, held from October 14-17, convened nearly 45,000 attendees with 2,500 exhibitors over 1.25 million net square feet at McCormick Place in Chicago. Show owner and producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, reported 457 new exhibitors this year.  

“The continued success of PACK EXPO is a testament to not only our industry’s growth but PMMI’s commitment to offering a world class environment for exhibitors to offer cutting-edge solutions to our attendees,” says Jim Pittas, CEO, PMMI. “We are committed to adding value by constantly improving our show offerings to assist in driving the packaging industry into the future.”

While returning show favorites such as the Innovation Stages addressed hot industry topics and provided a wealth of insights, The Forum made its PACK EXPO International debut with 15 interactive sessions over the four days.

The inaugural Technology Excellence Awards was another hit. After months paring down the many qualified entries, three days of onsite voting allowed PACK EXPO International and Healthcare Packaging EXPO attendees to be the ultimate judge of the most innovative new technologies at the show. The winners included Triangle Package Machinery Co. (Baking and Snack), Volpak (Beverage and Dairy), Evolabel (General Packaging), Bemis Company Inc. (Meat/Poultry/Seafood), Neopac The Tube (Personal Care/ Cosmetics), Bausch + Ströbel Machine Company, Inc. (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices) and Pearson Packaging Systems (Prepared Foods).

More than 550 industry professionals attended the Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network’s (PPWLN) breakfast event featuring an inspirational panel discussion moderated by Jane Chase, executive director, Institute of Packaging Professionals.

Next year, PACK EXPO will be held in Las Vegas from September 23-25.

PACK EXPO

www.packexpo.com