See the Latest Packaging and Processing Solutions at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

The Biennial Packaging Event Will Connect Solutions Providers with End Users in Food, Beverage, Pharma, Personal Care and More

By Sean Riley, senior director, media and industry communications, PMMI

The global market for packaging machinery is expected to reach an estimated value of $42.2 billion by 2021, according to Global Trends Impacting the Market for Packaging Machinery from PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. This growing market is being shaped by a variety of demographic, environmental and economic factors, including a growing middle class, heightened sustainability concerns and increased spending in developing regions. These socioeconomic changes drive demand for solutions like flexible packaging, on-the-go portions and serialization, which in turn spur investment in packaging and processing machinery.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2019 (Sept. 23–25; Las Vegas Convention Center) co-located with Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2019, will unite machinery suppliers with end users across vertical industries. Produced by PMMI, the show will bring together solutions from 2,000-plus exhibiting companies on the almost sold-out 900,000 net square foot exhibit floor.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas is expected to host 30,000 attendees, including 5,000 international visitors from more than 125 countries, with a wide range of job functions, including engineers, purchasers, production supervisors, package designers, brand managers and marketers, logistics and supply chain management, as well as corporate, general, plant and project managers among others.

Educational Opportunities

PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO attendees will have access to free educational programming at the Innovation Stage. Suppliers will address industry-specific solutions and best practices during 30-minute seminars throughout the show. Attendees can also attend free 45-minute seminars at The Forum, where they can delve into the latest industry trends with hands-on activities, small group discussions and Q&A sessions.

PMMI U will offer training workshops to keep industry members well-equipped to address evolving needs. Attendees can attend a session on Risk Assessment and a Certified Trainer workshop, which delivers strategies and tactics to train across all employee skills. The Fundamentals of Field Service seminar, open to PMMI members, delves into non-technical knowledge and skills needed to be a great technician.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas provides programs and activities with a special focus on students to excite the next generation about careers in packaging. The Amazing Packaging Race and the Future Innovators Robotics Showcase will recognize innovations developed by Las Vegas-area students. Suppliers can meet with students and veterans pursuing careers in packaging and processing during one-on-one informational interviews, through CareerLink, PMMI’s online job board, now live at PACK EXPO. Stop by the Workforce Development Pavilion to learn about all the student activities and find out about packaging programs.

Specialty Zones

Making its debut at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2019, the Robotics Zone showcases lively, interactive robot and collaborative robot (cobot) displays, including pick and place/relocation activities and an artificial intelligence and human interaction demo, sponsored by Siemens Packaging Automation Fair.  The PACK EXPO Greeter Robot will greet visitors who can listen to live music by the Kuka Robotic Band. Robots will pack snacks for children facing food insecurity issues across Las Vegas and the United States for PACK for a Purpose: Robots Fighting Hunger, in collaboration with Blessings in a Backpack.

As demand rises for sustainable packaging solutions, the Reusable Packaging Pavilion, sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA), is a hot spot for technologies that reduce waste, cut costs and gain chain efficiency. At the Containers and Materials Pavilion, visitors can find together the latest innovations in paperboard, glass, metal, plastic, flexible and resealable packaging.

The labeling, decorating and coding machinery market is one of the fastest-growing market segments, with a CAGR of 3 percent from 2016 to 2021, according to PMMI’s Robotics Innovation 2 Implementation report. The PACKage Printing Pavilion gathers exhibitors showcasing the latest digital printing advancements in one convenient location.

New to PACK EXPO Las Vegas, the Technology Excellence Awards recognizes innovative technologies in specific market segments that are being showcased for the first time. All registered attendees will be able to vote on their favorite solutions.

Networking Opportunities

Headlined by the Steve Miller Band, PMMI’s regular benefit will return to PACK EXPO Las Vegas with a networking event on Monday, Sept. 23 in the North Hall. A portion of the proceeds will support NS2 Serves®, a nonprofit providing veterans with valuable IT training and employment assistance. Tickets are $95 and include drinks and light hors d’oeuvres. For more information and to purchase tickets visit: www.packexpolasvegas.com/pack-gives-back.

At the Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership (PPWLN) Breakfast, attendees can hear from Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman to visit space. Her experiences as a history-making astronaut ad her message of innovative change will inspire other women (and men) to embark on a voyage of self-discovery. Visitors can also network and explore industry-specific solutions at The Candy Bar Lounge, The Snack Break Lounge, and The Beverage Cooler Lounge.

As the market for packaging innovations continues to grow and diversify, PACK EXPO Las Vegas brings end users from top companies together with the latest solutions. Registration, which includes access to both PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO, is $30 through August 30 after which the price increases to $100. For more information and to register online, visit packexpolasvegas.com or hcpelasvegas.com.

About PMMI

PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, represents more than 850 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, 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.

Sean Riley is currently PMMI’s senior director, media and industry communications. He was editor-in-chief of PMMI’s Packaging Machinery Technology Magazine for nearly a decade and has over 20 years of experience working with and as a member of the packaging and processing media.