Best of Connects: Our Editors' Favorite Innovations

Available for only two more weeks, here are short clips from our editors discussing their personal picks from last Fall's PACK EXPO Connects. Make plans to be back live in Vegas this September.

Mar 17th, 2021

Our editors have seen it all. Dozens of shows, hundreds of plant tours. So what turns their heads at a show?

We asked the team to record short videos of the exhibits that caught their eye last Fall during PACK EXPO Connects. No, they did not walk the aisles, but they attended both live and pre-recorded demos, Innovation Stages, Trend Chats and our own TV Show, Jumpstart.

At the end of each day of the virtual show, we elected a pair of writers to download the best of Connects - real innovation from exhibitors. We offer these insightful observations one last time before we take down more than 60 hours of educational material at the end of this month (March 31). Our team could not catch it all. But we will be walking the aisles again for PACK EXPO Las Vegas September 27-29, 2021.

SEE IT ALL ONE LAST TIME Sixty hours of educational sessions from sustainability to cannabis. Amazon and e-commerce, remote access and workforce development.

Now for the editorial team's head-turning picks...

Top Virtual Show Finds with Packaging World’s Pat Reynolds and OEM Magazine’s Stephanie Neil

PACK EXPO Connects Daily Download: Monday

Best of Tuesday’s Demos and Presentations by Packaging World’s Matt Reynolds and Editor at Large Aaron Hand

PACK EXPO Connects Daily Download: Tuesday

OEM Magazine’s Natalie Craig and ProFood World’s Joyce Fassl Discuss Packaging and Processing Equipment Innovations

PACK EXPO Connects Daily Download: Wednesday

Life Sciences & Controls Innovations with Healthcare Packaging’s Keren Sookne and Automation World’s David Greenfield

PACK EXPO Connects Daily Download: Thursday

Matt Reynolds and Pat Reynolds from Packaging World Wrap Up the Show

PACK EXPO Connects Daily Download: Friday

IoPP’s 2021 Salary Survey Results: How Did Your Compensation Stack Up?

After a flat salary year in 2020 with heightened uncertainty about both traditional salary increases and bonuses, 2021 results indicate confidence returning. Meanwhile, job security is high and fewer people are seeking greener pastures at new jobs.

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Increase in Online Grocery Shopping Impacts Beverage Pack Sizes and Machine Needs

Manufacturers are being pressed to readjust strategies or accelerate previously made plans in order to address the e-commerce channel surge and meet related demands.

Last year's salary freezes are thawing, and compensation optimism is slowly but surely heating up.

2021 IoPP Salary Survey: Salary Freezes Begin to Thaw. How Does Your Compensation Compare?

After a flat salary year in 2020 with heightened uncertainty and worry about both traditional salary increases and bonuses, 2021 results indicate that confidence is returning. Meanwhile, job security is high and fewer people are seeking greener pastures.

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Which Post-Pandemic Consumer Trends are Here to Stay?

Experts at the Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit discussed how the pandemic has impacted consumers, and which trends are here to stay, including e-commerce, CPG accountability, and sustainability.

AMERIPEN retained John Dunham & Associates to analyze the financial and societal impact made by the U.S. packaging industry, which is the largest producer of packaging in the world.

Report Details Packaging Industry’s Massive Impact on the U.S. Economy

Commissioned by AMERIPEN, a first-of-its-kind report details the financial and societal value of the U.S. packaging industry, providing data that can be used to help educate policymakers as they consider packaging-related legislation.

Syntegon's checklist for confectionery packaging

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Wondering how to select the optimal solution for your specific product and packaging needs? We packed all the important questions for you to consider into a handy Confectionery Packaging Checklist.

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Packaging Should Star in Brand Licensing Agreements

Packaging’s importance to the brand should be carried over in licensing.

Three Growth Opportunities: Functional Beverages, Plant-Based Products & Men’s Personal Care

If ‘Knowledge is power,’ then understanding changing consumer preferences can help you grow your business. Here are three markets showing significant opportunities: functional drinks, plant-based protein alternatives, and men’s personal care products.

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Beverage Manufacturers Use Reformulation and Labeling to Align with Consumer Trend

Health-conscious consumers are looking for better-for-you food and beverage options and are willing to spend more to get them. Manufacturers are meeting this demand with cleaner formulations and clearer labeling.

Functional beverages are a fast-growing segment of the beverage market.

Ready-to-Drink Functional Beverages the Latest Growth Market

Nootropics and pre, pro, and post-biotics are all popular growing beverage offerings, particularly in RTD or premium packaging. These offerings do come with challenges for beverage manufacturers, however.

Growing a Successful CBD Brand

Medterra has only been in business for four years, but this brand has been leading CBD sales in U.S. grocery for over 16 months and is expanding rapidly.

Syntegon's checklist for confectionery packaging

Syntegon's checklist for confectionery packaging

Wondering how to select the optimal solution for your specific product and packaging needs? We packed all the important questions for you to consider into a handy Confectionery Packaging Checklist.

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Cybersecurity Risks Mount While Bag-in-Box Gives Brewers “Cider Security”

In this two-part Take Five, we first take a look at mounting risks around cybersecurity, then switch gears to look at a rising bag-in-box trend among intentionally flat beers and ciders.

There are some common challenges when launching a new food or beverage product.

Accelerating Speed to Market for New Food and Beverage Product Ideas

There are some common challenges when moving a new food or beverage product from idea to reality, and some considerations such as packaging and sustainability that are an integral part of the process.

unPACKed podcast: Market Disruption as a Competitive Advantage

unPACKed podcast: Market Disruption as a Competitive Advantage

Listen to the unPACKed with PMMI podcast as Tom Morrison outlines a classic good news/bad news evaluation for the next five to ten years.

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Approved Vendor Lists for Packaging

To be told, “You’re on my list,” is welcomed news when it refers to an AVL.

As Marijuana Business Daily's Omar Sacirbey writes, “The move will allow greater research into marijuana and its potential medicinal properties.'

One Step Closer to Cannabis Access for Medical Research

After years of dragging their heels on approving marijuana cultivation applications for research, the DEA looks to be moving forward with licenses soon.

OEMs should keep cybersecurity top of mind in their business, carefully monitor their own products in the market to ensure their ongoing security, and strictly regulate the devices they use for external work.

OEMs Play Larger Role in Manufacturing Industry Cybersecurity

Since OEMs also serve manufacturing clients who are themselves vulnerable to cyberattack, there are a few extra considerations to be aware of with regard to cybersecurity.

The Pet Sustainability Coalition(PSC), recently saw initial success with its Flex Forward pilot and is now entering a second phase.

Flex Forward Offers Pet Food Industry Recycling Solutions for Flexible Packaging

A “Return to Retail” pilot for pet food flexible packaging had an unexpected benefit for store owners.

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Packaging World on Marketplace: How COVID-19 Might Change Packaging for Good

Packaging World Editor Matt Reynolds talked packaging with Marketplace’s Kai Ryssdal earlier this week. Here’s how that interview unfolded…

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Manufacturers are feeling the pressure...

Manufacturers Face Aggressive Competition

inRiver report finds 99% of US manufacturing businesses feel pressure to get products to market faster than ever before, 94% globally are using automation and AI to tailor product info.

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Managing packaging vendors should not be like herding cats.

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The Trickle-down Effect of Millennial Home Buying Trends

The pandemic has boosted millennial home sales, which is consequently impacting related consumer goods sales - from lawn care to pet supplies.

Americans are now reaching into their wallets to treat themselves and support local businesses.

Restaurant Consumer Trends Shift as the Pandemic Continues. The data suggests that even though restaurants in many states have had to limit capacity or transition to takeout-only service, Americans are now reaching into their wallets to treat themselves and support local businesses.

Consumers are returning to restaurants at an increasing rate. Food spending away from home has increased by 23.1% since the start of the pandemic while households are only spending 10.7% more on food at home.

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Enter AmeriStar Competition For Package Design: Deadline May 21

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A New Model for Digitizing Supply Chain Operations

Global supply chain leaders are collaborating to shape and transform next generation digital supply chain networks.

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Preventing Internal Cyberattacks Could Save Companies Millions

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