PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, owner and producer of the PACK EXPO trade shows, and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) today described their joint effort to better communicate the many roles packaging can play in food retail merchandising and along the supply chain.

Central among the components of the partnership is the PMMI–PACK EXPO Possibilities in Packaging Pavilion at FMI Connect 2014 (June 10–13; McCormick Place Chicago), a special exhibit showcasing packaging solutions for the future of food retail.

Subject matter experts will present talks at the Innovation Stage on topics such as sustainability, displays and design with impact, next generation packaging, and smart and active packaging.

“Packaging plays a variety of roles in the consumer marketplace,” says Charles D. Yuska, president and CEO, PMMI. “The PMMI–PACK EXPO Possibilities in Packaging Pavilion at FMI Connect will explore some of the ways packaging is engaging consumers in 2014, and how to make things like new packaging formats, graphics and new technologies work for your products.”

FMI Connect is designed to connect the industry and inspire the future of food retail. FMI expects 15,000 retailers, wholesalers and their trading partners to attend, explore and collaborate on solutions to the greatest challenges of the food retail business.

“Food retailers seek to create the optimal shopping experience for their customers, and the sensory engagement with product packaging and displays is a crucial component in that experience,” notes Leslie G. Sarasin, FMI president and CEO. “Innovations in packaging enable food retailers to better protect the quality of the products, while expanding the range of marketing possibilities.”

To date, representatives from sponsor companies International Paper, Kliklok-Woodman and Hub Folding are scheduled to present at the Innovation Stage in the PMMI–PACK EXPO Possibilities in Packaging Pavilion, as are experts from the Active and Intelligent Packaging Industry Association (AIPIA).

“We’ll be adding presentations to the Innovation Stage throughout the next few months. We’re looking forward to creating a dynamic display area that will educate FMI Connect attendees about the wide range of packaging options available,” says Yuska.

For more information about the PMMI–PACK EXPO Possibilities in Packaging Pavilion, visit www.FMIConnect.net, or contact Tom Egan, vice president, Industry Services, PMMI, to participate: 571.612.3190 or tegan@pmmi.org.

About PMMI
PMMI is a trade association representing 600+ packaging and processing supply chain companies that provide a full range of packaging and processing machinery, materials, components and containers. PMMI actively brings buyers and sellers together through its various programs including: The PACK EXPO family of trade shows, packexpo.com, PMT Magazine, PACK EXPO Show Daily, networking events, educational programs and more.

PMMI organizes the PACK EXPO trade shows: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, PACK EXPO East, EXPO PACK Mexico and EXPO PACK Guadalajara, connecting participants in the packaging and processing supply chain with their customers around the world. Coming Up: EXPO PACK México, June 18-21, 2013 in Mexico City, Mexico; PACK EXPO Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center, September 23-25, 2013; PACK EXPO International 2014 at McCormick Place in Chicago; Nov. 2-5, 2014, PACK EXPO East 2015 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Feb 2-4, 2015; EXPO PACK Guadalajara, March 10-12, 2015, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

Learn more about PMMI and the PACK EXPO trade shows at PMMI.org and packexpo.com.

About FMI
Food Marketing Institute proudly advocates on behalf of the food retail industry. FMI’s U.S. members operate nearly 40,000 retail food stores and 25,000 pharmacies, representing a combined annual sales volume of almost $770 billion. Through programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations, FMI offers resources and provides valuable benefits to more than 1,225 food retail and wholesale member companies in the United States and around the world. FMI membership covers the spectrum of diverse venues where food is sold, including single owner grocery stores, large multi-store supermarket chains and mixed retail stores. For more information, visit www.fmi.org and for information regarding the FMI foundation, visit www.fmifoundation.org.

The Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) newly envisioned tradeshow, FMI Connect, offers attendees a global food retail experience June 10-13, 2014 in Chicago. FMI Connect provides solutions to growing basket size; increasing customer trips; improving margins; increasing market share; and developing leadership. FMI Connect is the only food retail showcase with something for every aspect of the food retail business: From consumer goods to capital goods, fresh produce to fresh ideas.

In 2014 FMI Connect will be co-located with United Fresh 2014 and PMMI Retail Brand Zone: Future Innovations in Packaging. www.fmiconnect.net.