More than any other show, Pack Expo has distinguished itself as the “demonstration” show, where visitors can not only see a vast array of new equipment, but see it in operation. It is precisely this machinery in action, the noise of products being conveyed, the meshing of drives and the friction of motion that makes the show unique among the world’s leading packaging expositions.
This year, many of the machines in action at Pack Expo will be controlled by sophisticated, precision electronics that promise a repeatability unmatched by the mechanical systems of earlier years. And while Pack Expo is the ideal venue to watch machines in operation, it’s becoming equally important as the place to meet the components suppliers that make those machines work so well.
It is these manufacturers, in concert with the machinery designers, that are creating new thresholds of speed, diagnostic ability and reliability in the packaging equipment of 2000 and beyond. Equally important, say many attendees, is that exhibiting companies have helpful technical service experts on hand who not only explain how equipment operates, but also help attendees understand how equipment can be configured to meet the needs of specific applications.
The excitement will be on display at Pack Expo International 2000, Nov. 5 through 9 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The exposition will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9. The show is sponsored by the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (Arlington, VA). At the same time, Pack Expo is co-located with the International Exposition for Food Processors (IEFP), which is sponsored by the Food Processors Machinery & Supplies Assn. (Alexandria, VA).
Pack Expo International will showcase the machinery, materials and supplies of more than 1길 exhibitors in exhibit space larger than 1.2 million net sq’. The IEFP show will cover more than 200ꯠ net sq’ with more than 350 exhibits. Registration fees of $15 (before Oct. 28) or $30 (Oct. 28 or later) include attendance at both shows.
“Visitor response to the co-located events at Pack Expo ‘98 was extremely positive,” reports Tom Egan of Hoppmann Corp., PMMI’s show committee chairman. Attendees said they were “overwhelmingly positive” about the combination of packaging and food processing exhibitions. More than 75% of visitors with packaging and food processing interests said the combination was “highly effective,” according to a PMMI survey.
This year, Pack Expo will be accompanied by the Solutions 2000 Conference, said to be the world’s largest packaging conference program, also to be held at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The conference (see p. 52 for details) was developed with the assistance of Packaging Strategies, a well-known newsletter and conference producer.
The show will also be the focal point for a number of other packaging activities that week in Chicago. The Institute of Packaging Professionals will hold its AmeriStar Awards Conference and Reception on Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk (contact IoPP at 800/432-4085 or [email protected]).
The Packaging Education Forum will hold its annual Leadership Awards dinner, Tuesday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m. at the Chicago Hilton Hotel & Towers. Honored as Packaging Leader of the Year will be Pittsburgh-based H. J. Heinz Co., a company that often uses package innovations to recharge the consumer appeal of its food products (see p. 164). In addition, three lifelong packaging executives will be inducted into the Packaging Hall of Fame: Robert Forsyth, William Heller, Jr., and John M. Johnston (see p. 50). This year PEF adds entertainment to its program, featuring “Packaging: It’s a funny business,” performed by the Second City comedy troupe.
On Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 11:30 a.m., Women in Packaging (WP) will hold its acclaimed luncheon program, “The art of networking,” sponsored by Engelhard Corp. and Weyerhaeuser, and hosted by the Chicago chapter of WP. This facilitated session will be led by international business executive Donna Messer. It will provide an interactive exchange for promoting individual career success. Preregistra-tion for the luncheon is required, and the fee is $35 for WP members, $45 for nonmembers. For online registration, contact www. womeninpackaging.org, or visit the group at the show.
Register on-line
The key date is October 27. If attendees can register for Pack Expo by that date, each can save half the cost of registration later, $15 vs $30. Plus, they stand a better chance of being able to reserve a desirable downtown hotel room. The easiest way to accomplish advance registration is to visit www.packexpo.com on the Internet and pay via a credit card.
Along with registering to attend Pack Expo International and the International Exposition for Food Processors, a visit to the Web site permits attendees to see the full program and also register for the Solutions 2000 conference, which runs from Monday, Nov. 6 through Wednesday, Nov. 8. A wide variety of provocative subjects will be covered by some 50 expert speakers. More program details appear on p. 52.
The Web site’s housing page will also permit attendees to reserve a hotel room. A Chicago map that’s part of the Web site permits visitors to see where hotels are located so they can plan their transportation needs.
Even more important, attendees with specific goals for packaging products can also use the Web site to plan their exhibit visits at the show. The site displays both exhibitor company lists and floor plans, so attendees can map out their routes prior to arriving at the show.
International attendance
As in the past, Pack Expo International is, as its new name states, a truly worldwide show. For the fifth consecutive show, Pack Expo International has been selected to participate in the International Buyer Program of the U.S. Department of Commerce. “International attendance is a cornerstone of any Pack Expo event,” says PMMI president Charles D. Yuska. “We look forward to working closely with . . . U.S. consulates worldwide in promoting the only major international packaging trade show in 2000.”
Two years ago, Pack Expo attracted 6격 attendees from 80 different countries. As well, many exhibitors from around the world will exhibit, many of these companies located in seven pavilions from several countries, including Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain, among others.
A complete list of Pack Expo International exhibitors follows this preview (p. 58), all arranged by the principal types of products sold by those companies. The list and the booth numbers were provided by PMMI July 25. In addition, many exhibitors will be showing new products and many of these products are reviewed in this issue, also beginning on p. 58.
See sidebar to this article: Heinz honored as Leader of the Year
See sidebar to this article: Packaging pioneers honored
