Pack Expo International 2014 Rolls Into Chicago

Over 1,800 suppliers and 200 other exhibitors from 130 countries in the packaging industry will fill McCormick Place in Chicago from Nov. 2 to 5 as more than 50,000 engineers, designers, sales and plant managers, and others visit the show to learn about new technological innovations, regulations, and how to better serve their customers. The event is sponsored by the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI), which is also cosponsoring the pharmaceutical industry’s Pharm EXPO Show colocated this year with Pack EXPO.

Attendees will also have access to several educational opportunities besides networking with peers, OEMs, and industry leaders. The Showcase of Packaging Innovations, for example, will display prize-winning entries from international packaging competitions. Dow has sponsored this showcase for the past 11 years.

The Center for Trends and Technologies (CTT) will feature 10 daily education sessions, according to its sponsors Rockwell Automation and PMMI. Topics for the 30-min seminars include:

Anticipating and taking advantage of the Internet of Things

Gathering and sharing machinery data throughout an organization and supply chain via the Cloud.

“The CTT provides an action-oriented experience for attendees,” says Mike Wagner, global packaging business manager, Rockwell Automation. “Our goal is for attendees to leave with solutions that will start solving their manufacturing challenges right away, and help them anticipate future needs.”

Pack Expo Highlights

Pack Gives Back Event: Jay Leno – Live! Monday, Nov. 3. Unwind from the show with drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and laughter while contributing to K9s for Warriors. Tickets are $100 and available only to show registrants. A portion of ticket proceeds will support the organization that provides service dogs to military vets suffering from posttraumatic stress. The reception starts at 4:30 p.m. and Leno performs at 5:30 p.m. 2014 Packaging Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony — One of the industry’s highest honors, the 2014 inductees will be celebrated during a reception on Tuesday, Nov. 4, during the show.

Several specialty pavilions will help attendees zero in on industry-specific technologies and products. At the Brand Zone, for instance, attendees can see and touch a host of cutting-edge containers and materials that could let them differentiate their brands, broaden their appeal, and enhance their shelf presence while extending shelf life.

At the Confectionary Pavilion, those in the candy business can see industry-specific advances that let companies create a variety of shapes, tastes, and textures.
The Processing Zone focuses on ways to safely manufacture quality goods. Suppliers in this pavilion can help make improvements across entire production lines.

At the Reusable Packaging Pavilion, attendees can learn how to reduce waste and shipping costs while still protecting their goods through reusable or recyclable packaging materials and techniques.
The Food Safety Summit Resource will offer information on the latest research and advances in food safety. Experts will be available to talk about cleaning, allergen control and traceability, and how best to comply with the new Food Safety Modernization Act.

A special area on the show floor, the Contract Packaging Association Center, will highlight 20 core contract-packaging services from experts in those businesses. They will help attendees explore the capabilities of the nation’s leading contract packagers and find partners with core competencies that meet their needs. The experts will also explain how contract packaging and collaboration up and down the supply chain can lead to innovation and growth, no matter the size of the business.

For more information on the show, including registration, housing, and exhibiting, go to www.packexpointernational.com.