submitted by Gatwiri Muthara, PMMI
PACK EXPO Las Vegas (Sept. 11-13; Las Vegas Convention Center) opened with over 2,300 exhibitors displaying innovations for more than 40 vertical markets across nearly 1 million square feet of exhibit space. The show, produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, is the most comprehensive event for packaging and processing in 2023 and the largest Vegas show to date for the organization.
“PACK EXPO Las Vegas offers our industry another opportunity to come together to see the latest innovations and work together to find solutions to the issues our industry faces today and look toward the future to see what’s around the corner,” says Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. “Anyone looking for solutions can find them here among our exhibitors, in our educational sessions, networking at our special events, or in our designated lounges.”
This year’s show floor opens as the packaging and processing industry shifts to a more normal rate of growth, coming off two years of record growth fueled by the Covid-19 pandemic and workforce challenges, reports PMMI’s newly released State of the Industry report.
As the report highlights, significant growth is trending in the warehousing, logistics, and e-commerce sectors. New innovations in material handling and logistics are on display in the new Logistics Pavilion on the PACK EXPO Las Vegas show floor. End-of-line machines such as palletizers, case packers, and wrapping and bundling machines are among the machine types seeing the fastest growth. In addition, the report notes supply chain constraints plaguing the industry in years past have been easing.
With so much change in the industry, the multitude of new and notable features in Las Vegas are a must-see for everyone in the industry. Here are a few not to miss:
- Visit the Technology Excellence Awards finalists and vote for the most innovative technologies not shown at a previous PACK EXPO. Attendees can vote onsite, on the mobile app, sponsored by ProMach, or online in four market segments – Food/Beverage, General Packaging and Processing, Personal Care/Pharma, and Sustainability. Winners will be announced in the afternoon on Tuesday, Sept. 12.
- Workforce remains a top priority at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, with many opportunities to excite students about packaging and processing careers. The prestigious Future Innovators Robotics Showcase, sponsored by Bastian Solutions, and educational Amazing Packaging Race, sponsored by Emerson, return to the PACK EXPO Las Vegas show floor, giving students first-hand experience working with the technology and materials to create their own packaging and processing innovations.
- PMMI recognizes the significance of PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2023 opening on Sept. 11 and strives to honor the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice that day. PMMI will match donations up to $50,000 to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. For over 20 years, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has honored the late FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller’s legacy by supporting the heroes who continue to risk life and limb in the line of duty. To date, Tunnel to Towers has delivered over 1,000 mortgage-free homes to our nation’s heroes and committed over $500 million across all its programs. Attendees can donate to the organization when they register as well as online.
The past several years brought about vast advancements in equipment, materials, and technology, and PACK EXPO Las Vegas will showcase these solutions in one place. Bringing all vertical industries together generates a cross-pollination of ideas and crossover solutions that can only be discovered in person, on the PACK EXPO Las Vegas show floor.
Targeted Industry Pavilions: The new Logistics Pavilion, the newly formatted Healthcare Packaging Pavilion, and the expanded Processing Zone are joined by the returning PACKage Printing, Containers & Materials, Reusable Packaging, and Confectionery Pavilions.
Sustainability Central: A new show floor destination takes an expansive look into packaging sustainability and what it means to brands, including expert speakers, interactive content, and a look at actionable, sustainable innovations in manufacturing, materials, design, and more.
Educational Opportunities: 130 educational sessions will take place on eight stages across the show floor, including the new Sustainability and Industry Speaks Stages, three Innovation Stages, the Processing Innovation Stage, The Forum, and the Reusable Packaging Learning Center.
Networking Opportunities include the Young Professionals Networking Reception, sponsored by Beckhoff, First-Time Attendee Networking Reception, sponsored by ProMach, show floor receptions, exhibitor lounges, and the Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) Breakfast: Brewing Success: How Manjit Minhas Turned an Idea into a Beer Empire. The PPWLN breakfast is sponsored by Emerson, ID Technology, Morrison Container Handling Solutions, BW Packaging, Septimatech Group, SMC Corporation of America, PlexPack, PowHer, a ProMach Women’s Resource Group, and WestRock.
To keep track of all the new additions as well as old favorites, attendees can use My Show Planner to check the schedule of booth activities, add educational sessions to their itineraries, and plan routes around the show floor. The show’s mobile app, sponsored by ProMach, is the perfect on-the-go solution to search exhibitors, products, and education sessions, create and save a personal agenda, and navigate from booth to booth using the interactive map — plus, it syncs with your My Show Planner. Search “PACK EXPO” in the App Store, Google Play, or visit packexpolasvegas.com/the-show/mobile-app.
PACK EXPO Las Vegas is open now and runs through Wednesday, Sept. 13. Registration is $130 and is available onsite or online at packexpolasvegas.com.
About PMMI
PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, represents more than 1,000 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, PACK EXPO East, PACK EXPO Southeast, EXPO PACK México, and EXPO PACK Guadalajara. PMMI Media Group connects manufacturers to the latest solutions, trends, and innovations in packaging and processing year-round through brands including Packaging World, Healthcare Packaging, Contract Manufacturing + Packaging, ProFood World, Mundo PMMI, and 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.
