More than two decades ago, PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, welcomed the packaging industry to the Las Vegas desert with a goal to convene end users and suppliers in the odd number years in between PACK EXPO International in Chicago. What began as a 500-exhibitor event with 9,000 attendees over 200,000 net square feet of the Sands Convention Center in 1995, grew in 2017 to cover 900,000 net square feet event of the Las Vegas Convention Center, bringing together 29,500 attendees and 2,000 exhibiting companies.

To keep up with the growing size, PMMI continues to offer the most up-to-date online technologies like My Show Planner both online and via a mobile app, which include enhanced Virtual Exhibitor Booths to ensure attendees and exhibitors come to the show prepared to make the most of every minute.

PACK gives BACK, sponsored by Rockwell Automation, offered another milestone as it produced the largest crowd to date in the event’s seven-year history. Not only was the standing-room-only crowd entertained by the legendary rock and roll band, The Doobie Brothers, but proceeds from the performance, combined with industry donations and PMMI’s $100,000 match, pushed PACK EXPO’s hurricane aid past $325,000.

In addition to supporting hurricane relief, PMMI recognizes the importance of industry education, giving out $30,000 in PACK EXPO Scholarships at the show. PMMI President and CEO Chuck Yuska announced the 2017 recipients of PACK EXPO Scholarships with the six students from PMMI Partner Schools each receiving $5,000 scholarships.

For the first time, PACK EXPO Las Vegas welcomed the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) to the NextGEN Networking Fair, which offered a one-of-a-kind matchmaking opportunity for exhibitors and attendees to connect with the emerging workforce. With so many talented and skilled veterans out of work, this event is the perfect opportunity for employers to communicate with these qualified veterans and guide them into careers in the packaging field.

A new addition to the show experience received mainstream media coverage and was the first stop for many at PACK EXPO Las Vegas. The “PACK EXPO Drone Demo – Packaging for the Last Mile” provided insight on the latest frontier in supply chain logistics: drone package delivery by Workhorse. Every hour attendees witnessed drones taking off from the top of electric trucks and making deliveries to mock houses populating the 15,000 square foot exhibit in the North Hall.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas also hosted its first Packaging and Processing Woman’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) breakfast. Over 500 attendees took advantage of the opportunity to network and hear Caterpillar Vice President Tana Utley’s keynote address titled “Dancing on the Glass Ceiling.”

Next up in the PACK EXPO portfolio is PACK EXPO East, April 16-18, 2018, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Information and registration for the upcoming show are available at packexpoeast.com.

PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, represents more than 800 North American manufacturers and suppliers of equipment, components and materials as well as providers of related equipment and services to the packaging and processing industry. We work to advance a variety of industries by connecting consumer goods companies with manufacturing solutions through the world-class PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, leading trade media and a wide range of resources to empower our members. The PACK EXPO trade shows unite the world of packaging and processing to advance the industries they serve: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, Healthcare Packaging EXPO, PACK EXPO East, EXPO PACK México, EXPO PACK Guadalajara and ProFood Tech. PMMI Media Group connects manufacturers to the latest solutions, trends and innovations in packaging and processing year-round through brands including Packaging World, Automation World, Healthcare Packaging, Contract Packaging, ProFood World and Packaging + Processing OEM. PMMI Business Drivers assist members in pursuing operational excellence through workforce development initiatives, deliver actionable business intelligence on economic, market and industry trends to support members’ growth strategies, and actively connect the supply chain throughout the year.

Learn more at pmmi.org and packexpo.com and PMMIMediaGroup.com.