Sponsored by the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute, Pack Expo International 2004 rolls into Chicago’s McCormick Place November 7 through 11. A showcase of the latest developments in packaging equipment, materials, and containers, the show will feature more than 1길 exhibitors utilizing 1.2 million net sq.' of exhibit space. Thousands of packaging solutions will be available to the more than 47ꯠ decision makers and purchasing influencers who are expected to attend, including 6ꯠ international visitors from more than 70 countries.
With such a strong international component, it’s no surprise that the U.S. Dept. of Commerce has selected Pack Expo International 2004 to participate in its International Buyer Program. This will be the eighth consecutive Pack Expo to be honored with this distinction.
“The International Buyer Program plays a critical role in bringing key buyers from around the globe to Pack Expo International,” says PMMI president Charles D. Yuska. “We look forward to reaching out to the Department’s network of consulates to promote the show as the ideal event for international attendees to solve their packaging solutions.”
Pack Expo International will highlight the latest advancements from across the packaging industry, including labeling and coding technologies, brand-building materials, robotics, and active and protective packaging solutions. In addition, a new Radio-Frequency Identification Pavilion will be added to this year’s event, highlighting solutions that meet the requirements of the entire supply chain. Included in the exhibits will be technologies to upgrade conventional lines into RFID-enabled packaging lines capable of applying multipack, case, and pallet tags online. Also featured will be advances designed to verify the presence of tags, write to the tags, and validate data on the tags.
RFID and Electronic Product Code (EPC) presentations will also be a part of The Conference at Pack Expo, a series of informational and educational programs designed to complement technologies seen on the show floor. The conference runs from Monday, November 8, through Wednesday, November 10. Conference sessions have been organized under several themes or “tracks,” including RFID, Security, Operations, Plastics, Materials/Containers, Robotics, Closures, and Flexible Packaging. Within these tracks, packagers can choose from a variety of presentation topics: quick changeover, robotic technology for palletizing, case and pallet tagging, and anticounterfeiting.
An “Eye Opener” session will kick off each day of the conference program beginning at 8:00 a.m. A keynote presentation from packaging marketplace leaders will open the program every day.
Pack Expo attendees can register for individual sessions, making it easy to incorporate conference sessions into busy schedules. For a complete conference schedule, see page 69.
New this year
Another new feature debuting at this fall’s Pack Expo International is the New Product Spotlight. Free for all attendees, it will provide an opportunity to see cutting-edge new-product demonstrations first hand. Located in McCormick Place’s Grand Concourse between the North and South Halls, the New Product Spotlight will run during the first four days of the show, with six sessions planned daily. The six 30-minute daily sessions will start every hour on the hour beginning at 10 a.m.
“The addition of the New Product Spotlight is another example of PMMI’s commitment to increase the value of the Pack Expo shows,” says Yuska. “Combined with the co-location of the Food Processing Machinery Expo and the multiple new technology pavilions—all included with the single admission charge—we believe this year’s Pack Expo will present attendees with an unmatched opportunity to learn about a range of technologies all under one roof.”
Attendees visiting Pack Expo International 2004 will also have the opportunity to review the year’s most innovative packaging designs from around the world at the Showcase of Packaging Innovations. On display at this showcase will be the winners of some of the most prestigious packaging competitions in the world. “After a successful debut at last year’s Pack Expo Las Vegas,” says Yuska, “this year’s exhibit has more participants and featured designs, making it extremely beneficial to packagers searching for inspiration for their next breakthrough packaging idea.”
An additional feature new to Pack Expo this year is the Packaging Security Resource Center.
It’s designed to give packagers tips on protecting packaging operations against the threat of bioterrorism, counterfeiting, and product adulteration. From overt to covert technologies, from active to passive, a range of safety measures and protection solutions will be featured. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit tabletop exhibits and technology displays from a select group of package-security technology companies, service providers, and government stakeholders.
The show’s new Confectionery Pavilion will be part of the co-located Food Processing Machinery Expo, sponsored and produced by Food Processing Machinery Assn. This pavilion will provide opportunities for viewing and evaluating the latest processing and packaging technologies in operation.
Show hours for Pack Expo International are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. On Thursday, the show runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To register for the show, visit http://pei2004.
packexpo.com. A complete alphabetical list of Pack Expo exhibitors begins on page 75. In addition, many exhibitors will be unveiling brand new products, and some of these are reviewed within the exhibitor listing.
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