For professionals who manage and influence how products are packaged, the current emphasis is knowing not only the packaging materials options available to them, but how best to use them together.
The segments that make up this mammoth $119 billion end of the $125 billion packaging industry are materials, containers, and services. These segments are the targets of Packaging Summit 2006, an ambitious, multifaceted exposition and conference. It is designed to expand on the success of Packaging Services Expo (PSE) 2005, which launched to solid reviews in May.
Packaging Summit 2006 will be May 16-18, 2006, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. The event has the support of many packaging associations, and it will include three major components, each operating independently in three different halls under the same roof:
• Packaging Services Expo 2006. This will be PSE’s second year.
• Packaging Containers & Materials Expo (PCME), a new event.
• The Packaging Summit Conference (PSC), also a new event.
By holding all three events concurrently, the appropriate atmosphere is established to highlight only materials, containers, and services, according to Tarsus Group plc, which is organizing the event in cooperation with Landon, Farrey & Associates. The event will exclude machinery and systems.
Between PCME 2006 and PSE 2006, the show organizers hope to attract 400 exhibitors.
Douglas Emslie, Tarsus Group managing director, announced the show at a press luncheon in June 2005 in Rosemont. “The goal is to produce a complete educational program and trade exhibition taking place in a relaxed and pleasant business atmosphere,” he said.
Individual components of Packaging Summit 2006 include:
• Packaging Services Expo 2006. The 2006 version, like the inaugural 2005 expo, will be developed as a niche show in cooperation with the Contract Packaging Association and the International Safe Transit Association. Its target audience is centered on contract packaging services, such as key decision-makers looking to partner with contract packagers and manufacturers, packaging consultants, research firms, package designers and marketing agencies, package-testing labs, logistics companies, warehouse and distribution companies, package prototype developers, and quality assurance and compliance specialists.
Exhibitors will offer the latest in manufacturing and packaging technology services across a wide range of diverse end-user industry sectors. Visitors will have the opportunity to find outsourcing partners.
Contract Packaging magazine will be a media sponsor of PSE 2006.
PSE 2005 drew 105 exhibitors and 1귔 attendees, including both contract packagers and professionals who evaluate and purchase co-packing services. Representatives from product manufacturers including Procter & Gamble (P&G), Estée Lauder, Alberto Culver, Bacardi, and Clorox walked the floor.
Tom Youkilis, group purchasing manager at P&G, summed up PSE 2005 with this observation: “I thought this was a great show. I am already looking forward to next year. As I meet with my suppliers and potential suppliers, I will be directing them to consider next year’s event.”
Strong Renewal Rate
Through early August, nearly 70% of the exhibitors at PSE 2005 had contracted to participate in PSE 2006, said Don Browne, PSE show director.
• Packaging Containers & Materials Expo. The event will feature companies involved exclusively in containers and materials, and it will focus on developments in packaging.
PCME is being created in cooperation with the Flexible Packaging Association, the Paperboard Packaging Council, the Tag & Label Manufacturers Institute, the National Association of Container Distributors, and the Tube Council.
The expo will target professionals who manage and influence how products are packaged. The target audience has a voice in material and container issues, as well as in both structural and graphics choices.
In addition, PCME will focus on the role of innovative technologies in paperboard, plastics, label technologies, and other packaging materials.
• The Packaging Summit Conference. This educational event, focusing on the “Power of Packaging,” is being developed in partnership with the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP).
Besides the two expos and the conference, Packaging Summit 2006 will feature a “Hall of Packaging Excellence.” The participating packaging associations will display their most recent award-winning packaging. [CP]
