PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, owner and producer of the PACK EXPO trade shows, announces the return of PACK gives BACK™, Monday, Nov. 3, at 5:30 p.m. at PACK EXPO International and Pharma EXPO 2014 (Nov. 2–5, 2014; McCormick Place, Chicago). The event, open to PACK EXPO and Pharma EXPO registrants, will feature comedian Jay Leno. A portion of ticket sales will support the K9s for Warriors charity.

“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,” said Charles D. Yuska, president & CEO, PMMI. “We see their dedication to the veterans they help and the tremendous benefit to the rescued animals they train.”

K9s for Warriors is a charitable organization dedicated to providing service dogs to military veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress as a result of conflicts and war following 9/11. The program includes three weeks’ training and bonding for dogs and veterans at the K9s for Warriors facility in Ponte Vedra, Fla. Over 90 percent of the dogs are obtained through rescue groups.

“Donating proceeds to K9s for Warriors allows us to give back to the brave men and women who have suffered unimaginable trauma for all of us,” Yuska added.

K9s for Warriors representatives will be in attendance along with veterans, and their K9 service dogs, who have graduated from the program.

“We are really excited to have Jay Leno performing on site at PACK EXPO International and Pharma EXPO 2014,” said Jim Pittas, vice president of trade shows, PMMI. “After a long day of doing business and walking the show floor, what better way for exhibitors and their customers to unwind than a night with Leno!”

Leno has been making audiences laugh for four decades on NBC’s The Tonight Show, making his first appearance in 1977.  He began guest hosting in the late 1980s before taking the reigns as host in 1992.  He has appeared in numerous television programs and motion pictures over the course of his career. 

Leno took this final bow on The Tonight Show in February — and in March was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. He stays busy making appearances, touring and performing to sold-out venues. 

PACK gives BACK will be held Nov. 3, in the Grand Ballroom (S100) in the South Building of McCormick Place. The event begins with a reception at 4:30 p.m., and Leno will take the stage at 5:30 p.m.,. Tickets go on sale May 1, 2014, and will be available only to PACK EXPO International and Pharma EXPO registrants. Ticket price will be $100, and will include beer, wine and light hors d’oeuvres at the reception.

About PMMI
PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, is a trade association representing over 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 programs and events such as The PACK EXPO family of trade shows, packexpo.com, PMT Magazine, PACK EXPO Show Daily, networking events and educational programs.

PMMI organizes the PACK EXPO trade shows: PACK EXPO International, Pharma EXPO, co-located with PACK EXPO International and presented jointly with the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE); PACK EXPO Las Vegas, PACK EXPO East, EXPO PACK México and EXPO PACK Guadalajara, connecting participants in the packaging and processing supply chain with their customers around the world. Coming Up: EXPO PACK México 2014, June 17-20 (Mexico City, Mexico); PACK EXPO International 2014, Nov. 2-5 (McCormick Place, Chicago); Pharma EXPO, co-located with PACK EXPO International 2014; PACK EXPO East, debuting Feb. 16–18, 2015 (Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia); EXPO PACK Guadalajara 2015, March 10-12, 2015 (Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico).

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