Discover your next big idea at PACK EXPO Las Vegas this September
Experience a breakthrough in packaging & processing and transform your business with solutions from 2,300 suppliers spanning all industries.
REGISTER NOW & SAVE

Light booth traffic at SouthPack 2001

We observed very light booth traffic in Atlanta at SouthPack on all three days -- the lightest we have ever seen at a regional packaging trade show.

Exhibitors tried to remain optimistic, but all agreed that quality was going to have to outweigh quantity because there just weren't enough people walking the aisles.

Some exhibitors grumbled about learning that the show had been sold from Reed Exhibition to Canon Communication s only after they arrived at the show. A few wondered whether the show had been under promoted because it was for sale, but others felt they had received the same amount of promotions, and were quicker to blame the economy.

One company owner told us, "I could see a national show being lighter because people don't fly in, but this is a regional show, and folks can still get here just the same; there's just not enough here to draw the crowds."

The exhibition hall was not packed; both sides of the hall and the end of the aisle were blocked off with curtains -- a peek behind the curtain revealed a lot of empty space.

As always there were exceptions to the rule. While manufacturers of big-ticket equipment and systems noted a lack of corporate buyers, some booths were selling machinery right on the floor. Exhibitors offering hand held labelers, tabletop tape dispensers, and lower-cost equipment reported decent interest, and even sales!

We noticed a lack of big OEM booths; most seemed to have scale back a bit. The biggest booths by far were regional distributors featuring a wide variety of OEM machinery. These appeared to be busier than most. But busy is a relative term.

"We're at the stage where five good leads a day is acceptable," said one exhibitor. "One good sale makes it all worthwhile."

Click here for a review of what our Senior Editor/Online, Ela Fruscione, saw on the show floor.

Researched List: Engineering Services Firms
Looking for engineering services? Our curated list features 100+ companies specializing in civil, process, structural, and electrical engineering. Many also offer construction, design, and architecture services. Download to access company names, markets served, key services, contact information, and more!
Download Now
Researched List: Engineering Services Firms
List: Digitalization Companies From PACK EXPO
Looking for CPG-focused digital transformation solutions? Download our editor-curated list from PACK EXPO featuring top companies offering warehouse management, ERP, digital twin, and MES software with supply chain visibility and analytics capabilities—all tailored specifically for CPG operations.
Download Now
List: Digitalization Companies From PACK EXPO