Two Weeks Until the Largest PACK EXPO Las Vegas in History – Get Ready For a Great Show!

Only two weeks away, PACK EXPO Las Vegas (Sept. 25-27; Las Vegas Convention Center), co-located with Healthcare Packaging EXPO, is North America’s biggest packaging event of the year. This premier event, produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, is an annual opportunity for suppliers and buyers to network and see cutting-edge technology in action.

Over 30,000 attendees, including 5,000 international visitors from more than 125 countries will come together to see state-of-the-art technology, innovative solutions and participate in informative educational sessions held on the show floor. The show will feature over 2,000 exhibiting companies spanning nearly 900,000 net-square-feet of an almost sold-out exhibition floor.

Additionally, for the first time, attendees and exhibitors will have access to the Vegas Monorail with their show badge. During registration, passes can be purchased containing a QR code that is compatible with monorail station scanners. For more information, visit www.packexpolasvegas.com/monorail.

With so much to see, attendees can make the most of their time by using the “My Show Planner” tool, accessible on both show websites. In addition, you can download the PACK EXPO Las Vegas mobile app from either the Apple Store or Google Play, and have all event information at your fingertips, including, floorplans, exhibitor listings, special events, new products and product categories, as well as the ability to plan an agenda, take notes and navigate your way through the show halls.

Show highlights include:

The PACK gives Back™ benefit concert, sponsored by Rockwell Automation, features Grammy award winning band, The Doobie Brothers, and proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross to aid in hurricane disaster relief efforts. Additionally, PMMI has established a donation link (pmmi.org/we-care) and will match all funds donated up to $100,000. Any exhibitor who donates will receive a sign to display in their booth, be on the lookout!

The PACK EXPO Drone Demo – “Packaging for the Last Mile” interactive display will give all those in attendance a glimpse at the future of packaging. Electric truck and drone maker Workhorse is partnering with PACK EXPO to bring this drone simulation to life. Mock housing will populate the virtual landscape of the 15,000 sq. feet exhibit in the North Hall, complete with mailboxes and doorsteps to accept delivered packages. Delivery drones will take off from the top of a stationary electric van and deliver to mock houses. This interactive demonstration will take place in the North Hall, Booth N-645 and is scheduled for daily presentations on the half hour.

The Packaging and Processing Women’s Leadership Breakfast and Lounge
The Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) – sponsored by PMMI – will host an exclusive breakfast featuring Tana L. Utley, vice president, Caterpillar Inc., on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 a.m. This event is part of PPWLN’s ongoing efforts to fill the gender gap in the manufacturing workforce by attracting, developing, retaining and advancing women in packaging and processing. Utley will address this critical industry issue and share how her experiences led her to manage Caterpillar’s Large Power Systems Division today. To register for the complimentary event at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, visit pmmi.org/womens-leadership-network.

Innovation Stage
The Innovation Stage boasts a robust program, bringing together industry leaders and subject matter experts for free educational programming addressing the most top-of-mind issues and trends. On the PACK EXPO Las Vegas side, three stages are located the Central Hall at booth numbers C-1041, C-1045 and C-1049. On the Healthcare Packaging EXPO side, an additional Innovation Stage will be hosted in the North Hall, booth N-601, addressing innovations including supply chain visibility, security solutions, intellectual property strategies, labeling quality control, packaging solutions to improve patient adherence. For more details and a complete schedule, visit packexpolasvegas.com/innovationstage.

NextGEN Networking Fair
This networking event offers a unique matchmaking opportunity for show attendees to connect with the emerging workforce. Located in the Education and Workforce Development Pavilion in the Upper South Hall, students seeking internships or employment can network with potential employers and even apply for open positions at the pavilion. The NextGEN Networking Fair provides employers in the processing and packaging industry the opportunity to meet and connect with a targeted audience of talented students from packaging, processing, materials, package design and mechatronics programs.

The Amazing Packaging Race
Students are invited to discover the exciting possibilities of packaging by participating in the Amazing Packaging Race (Wednesday, Sept. 27). In this fun and educational event, teams from colleges and universities across the U.S. race around the PACK EXPO and Healthcare Packaging EXPO show floor to complete packaging challenges at the booths of participating exhibitors.

Industry-specific Lounges
Attendees can network with peers, gain specialized insights, attend educational presentations or just rest and recharge at three different industry-specific lounges:

• Beverage Cooler Lounge (Booth #7632) hosted by the International Society of Beverage Technologists (ISBT)
• The Baking and Snack Break Lounge (Booth #S-7631), sponsored and hosted by the American Bakers Association
• The Candy Bar Lounge (Booth# S-7202) sponsored by Dorner Manufacturing Corp. and hosted by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), located in The Confectionery Pavilion.

About PMMI
PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, represents more than 800 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 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.