PACK EXPO Int’l/Pharma EXPO 2016 Lounges Announced

The Candy Bar Lounge, The Beverage Cooler Lounge and the Baking-Snack Break Lounge will all return to PACK EXPO International 2016 (McCormick Place, Chicago; Nov. 6–9) and the co-located Pharma EXPO, according to show producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) is hosting The Candy Bar Lounge (S-2583) as well as sponsoring The Confectionery Pavilion. The Candy Bar Lounge serves as a networking destination for confectionery industry experts and their customers. “This lounge allows OEMs and CPGs in the confectionery industry to convene and discuss solutions to challenges the industry might be facing at that time, as well as share the latest innovations specific to confectionery manufacturing,” says John H. Downs, Jr., president and CEO, NCA.

For the fifth consecutive year, The International Society of Beverage Technologists (ISBT) will host The Beverage Cooler Lounge (N-4575). The Beverage Cooler Lounge, sponsored exclusively by BEUMER Group, will serve as a networking hub for beverage industry professionals and ISBT subject matter experts. “We are thrilled to be able to host the lounge again at this year’s PACK EXPO show,” says Larry Hobbs, executive director of ISBT. “To be able to provide a dedicated space on the show floor where those in the beverage industry can network and speak face-to-face with ISBT experts about trends, both current and forecasted, is invaluable.”

PACK EXPO attendees will see The Baking-Snack Break Lounge, hosted by B&CMA (Biscuit & Cracker Manufacturers’ Association) and sponsored by Dorner Manufacturing on the show floor as well. The Baking-Snack Break Lounge (N-4565) will serve as the central meeting place and information center for baking and snack industry professionals at the show. With nearly 15 percent of PACK EXPO  attendees identifying themselves as baking and snack manufacturers, B&CMA President Dave Van Laar knows the importance of this show for the industry. “The opportunity to, once again, partner with PMMI and PACK EXPO on this lounge is one that we are very excited about,” says Van Laar. “PACK EXPO is a valuable event for those in the baking and snack space and by hosting this lounge, we provide those in the industry with a specific place for them to network and discuss the latest industry innovations.”

These three lounges add to the ever-growing list of networking opportunities for the many vertical markets represented at PACK EXPO and Pharma EXPO. Having industry-specific hubs around the show floor provides unique promotional opportunities, as well as dedicated forums for information exchanges to take place.

“It is important to provide both OEMs and CPGs the opportunity to network with those specifically in their markets and we are thankful that we get to welcome back the hosts and sponsors for these three lounges,” says Charles D. Yuska, president and CEO, PMMI. “It is great that, thanks to our established alliances with these premier industry associations, we can offer dedicated spaces that focus solely on these three market segments. Attendees have reported finding great value in having market specific meeting places and we expect these positive experiences to continue.”

Together PACK EXPO International and Pharma EXPO 2016 are expecting 2,300-plus exhibiting companies, 50,000-plus attendees and over 1.2 net square feet (nsf) of exhibit space.

Register for PACK EXPO International and Pharma EXPO 2016 online at www.packexpointernational.com. Registration is $30 through Oct. 14, when it then will increase to the on-site fee of $100.

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 PMMI.org and PACKEXPO.com and PMMIMediaGroup.com.

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