Laura Thompson has been promoted to Vice President, Trade Shows at PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, owner and producer of the PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows. Thompson previously served as Senior Director, Expositions.
A true “rising through the ranks” success story, Thompson began as the PMMI receptionist 20 years ago, fresh out of Baylor University. She received her first taste of the Show Department as the International Expositions Coordinator before a brief stint in Global Marketing organizing international pavilions for PMMI members at both PMMI and non-PMMI events. When PMMI took over sole ownership of EXPO PACK México, Thompson moved back into the Show Department managing the PMMI Pavilion and all show operations for the largest packaging and processing event in Latin America. Upon her promotion to Director of Trade Show Operations, all operations in the PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows became her responsibility. As Thompson’s role expanded to the overall management of the PACK EXPO portfolio of events as well as PMMI’s contracting business PACK EXPO Services (PES), she was promoted to Senior Director, Expositions.
“Laura has successfully executed her position at every level and earned her way up to the top job in the Show Department,” says Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. “She has been a big part of the incredible growth of PMMI’s trade show portfolio, and is respected by her co-workers, contractors and PMMI Members for her work ethic and commitment to doing the job right.”
All told, Thompson has had responsibility for the operations of all PACK EXPO events in the U.S. and Mexico, and helped lead the successful launch of three new shows: EXPO PACK Guadalajara, PACK EXPO East and ProFood Tech.
“I am so thankful for the many opportunities I have been given to grow in my career at PMMI. It’s very gratifying to see hard work pay off in opportunity after opportunity and I am truly excited for this next chapter as Vice President of Trade Shows,” says Thompson.
Thompson will lead the trade show team based in PMMI’s Reston, Virginia office. Her responsibilities comprise PMMI’s Show Department, all aspects of the trade shows, serving as staff liaison for the Show Committee and managing PACK EXPO services.
