Confectionery Manufacturers Find a Sweet Spot at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

According to research from PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, consumer wellness concerns, food safety and other health and safety concerns, are among the biggest drivers steering the confectionery industry today (“Confectionery Trends Market Assessment,” Sept. 2013).

Confectioners can find a variety of approaches to address these market forces at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2015 (Las Vegas Convention Center, Sept. 28-30), owned and produced by PMMI. The show, the largest and most comprehensive of its kind this year, will host 30,000 attendees and over 2,000 exhibitors in more than 800,000 net square feet of exhibit space.

“In addition to focusing on consumer trends, confectionery professionals need to be up to speed on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which has changed the way you have to approach food safety during the manufacturing process. PACK EXPO will provide access to suppliers and education that will make compliance easier,” says Jim Pittas, senior vice president, PMMI.

Start at the Beginning
Confectionery manufacturers can start their trip around the show floor in the Confectionery Pavilion (Upper South Hall), sponsored by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), and then continue over to The Processing Zone. The two pavilions are hubs for the equipment that will help them meet their goals, but confectioners will find even more solutions throughout the exposition halls.

For the latest on food safety issues and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance, visit the Food Safety Summit Resource Center (Booth S-7632), also in the Upper South Hall. Organized and brought to PACK EXPO Las Vegas by the Food Safety Summit and co-sponsor GE, the Food Safety Summit Resource Center will be a central location for FSMA experts who will present educational seminars and be available for one-on-one consultations.

The Candy Bar Lounge (Booth S-7900), hosted by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), will be a networking destination for confectionery professionals where NCA industry experts will be available for one-on-one conversations.

“This lounge is a dedicated area where we can come together to learn the latest innovations and solutions to challenges in the confectionery industry,” says NCA member John Holland, managing partner, Sollich North America, LLC. “There is so much value in having this opportunity to talk with those experiencing the same issues as I and sharing insights to overcome those challenges.”

The Candy Bar Lounge (Booth S-7900) will host a reception on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event offers confectionery industry attendees networking time with subject matter experts and their professional peers beyond regular show floor hours.

In the Lower South Hall, The Brand Zone features materials and containers that shape winning brands and is a central point for attendees looking to improve product freshness or shelf appeal. Within The Brand Zone, the Showcase of Packaging Innovations®, sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company, will display award-winning packages from competitions around the world.

Feed the Mind with Educational Opportunities
There are plenty of opportunities to learn, too. The Center for Trends and Technology (Booth C-4829), organized by Rockwell Automation and its PartnerNetwork™, covers the newest in automation technology with displays and educational sessions. The PACK EXPO Innovation Stages (Booths C-1041, C-1045, C-1049) and the Food Safety Summit Resource Center will present even more educational sessions, including these:

• The Latest Snacking Trends and Their Impact on Packaging Presented by Aaron Wallander, Bemis North America (Monday, Sept. 28; 2–2:30; Booth C-1049)
• Total Cost of Ownership: One Voice Guidelines for CPGs and OEMs Presented by Madinah Allen, Snyder’s-Lance, Inc., and Mark Ruberg, Pro Mach (Tuesday, Sept. 29; 10–10:30 a.m.; Booth C-1041)
• Advanced Hygienic Design for Food Processing Equipment Presented by Bill Sutton, Kollmorgen (Tuesday, Sept. 29; 1:15–1:45 p.m.; Food Safety Summit Resource Center, Booth S-7632)

Entertaining Success at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 
“PACK EXPO is all about learning, doing business better and connecting with your industry,” Pittas says. “For connections and networking, you’ve got to go to PACK gives BACK™. It will be a great time for a great cause.”

PACK gives BACK is an annual fundraiser and signature PACK EXPO event, and will feature a performance from legendary rock band Chicago. PMMI will donate ticket sale proceeds to the Fisher House Foundation, an organization that provides comfort to the families of wounded military and veterans during their stays in medical facilities, and the Nevada Military Service Alliance, which is building the state’s first Fisher House in North Las Vegas.

“With more than 40 vertical markets represented, PACK EXPO Las Vegas is the most comprehensive event of its kind this year. The industry comes here for solutions to their operational challenges, and because there’s so much breadth to the show, they have the benefit of coming to truly innovative solutions inspired by other industries,” says Pittas.

To learn more and register for PACK EXPO Las Vegas and its co-located partner show Pharma EXPO, produced in partnership by PMMI and the Institute for Pharmaceutical Engineering, visit packexpolasvegas.com. Tickets for PACK gives BACK ($100/person or $90 for groups of 10 or more) can be purchased during the registration process. PACK gives BACK is only open to registered attendees and exhibitors of PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Pharma EXPO 2015.

About PMMI
PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, represents the voice of more than 700 North American manufacturers of equipment, components and materials for processing and packaging. 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 processing and packaging to advance the industries they serve: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, Pharma EXPO, PACK EXPO East, EXPO PACK México, EXPO PACK Guadalajara and ProFood Tech, launching in April 2017. PMMI Media Group connects manufacturers to the latest solutions, trends and innovations in processing and packaging year-round through brands including Packaging World, Automation World, Healthcare Packaging, Contract Packaging 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 PACKEXPO.com, PMMIMediaGroup.com and PMMI.org.