PACK EXPO International and the co-located Pharma EXPO 2016 represent the biggest event of the year for the packaging sector, and it’s coming to Chicago’s McCormick Place November 6-9. Pharma EXPO is co-located by PACK EXPO producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, in partnership with the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE).
These combined events will bring together more than 2,500 exhibitors showcasing their processing and packaging innovations to 50,000 attendees in more than 1.2 million net sq ft of exhibit space.
Making a return appearance will be the Innovation Stage, which is shaping up to be the largest and most robust on-floor education feature since the inception of the Innovation Stage in 2012. On the PACK EXPO International side, three stages, located in the Grand Concourse, will bring together industry leaders and subject matter experts for free educational programming addressing the most top-of-mind issues and trends. Sessions will address topics including:
• Internet of Things
• Machinery Safety
• Standards & technology to improve productivity
• Sustainability
• Flexible manufacturing systems
• Smart packaging
• Contract packaging
• Global packaging trends
• Digital print technology
• Multipack solutions
• Ultrasonic technology
Pharma EXPO will host an additional Innovation Stage in the West Lobby addressing innovations including blister packaging solutions, thin film flexible packaging, photostability testing, and protective packaging and serialization solutions.
To date, 59 sessions are confirmed, all 30 minutes in length. All sessions are free to attend. The full session schedule will also be accessible through the PACK EXPO International/Pharma EXPO mobile app.
“We know that our attendees have a lot to accomplish while at PACK EXPO and Pharma EXPO. With that in mind, the importance of offering valuable education on the show floor is a priority,” says Charles D. Yuska, President and CEO, PMMI. “The PACK EXPO and Pharma EXPO Innovation Stages give attendees access to an unparalleled range of processing and packaging education and innovations, conveniently located in close proximity to the exhibits.”
PACK gives BACK™
A highlight of every PACK EXPO is the PACK gives BACK™ event, and this year is no exception as the world-famous magician and entertainer pair, Penn and Teller, will be featured. PACK gives BACK is an annual fundraising event with portions of the ticket sales going to a charitable cause. This year’s proceeds will benefit No Greater Sacrifice (NGS), an organization dedicated to providing support to the children of our nation’s fallen and wounded service members.
“No Greater Sacrifice and the families that we support are thankful to PMMI,” says Rebekah Lovorn, executive director, NGS. “The investment made by the PACK gives BACK event will ensure the sacrifices of our military families are not forgotten.”
NGS delivers scholarships and resources to improve the quality of life for children of fallen and wounded military through the pursuit of higher education.
“DuPont is extremely proud to support No Greater Sacrifice through our sponsorship of the PACK gives BACK event, which allows the processing and packaging community to give back to our veterans and their families,” says DeMond Chapman, North America Packaging Business Manager. “We are forever grateful to the men and women in uniform who protect this country and defend our freedoms, and we are indebted to the sacrifices they make and also to the families that support them.”
Rockwell Automation is also pleased to support such a worthy cause. “No Greater Sacrifice is a worthwhile cause,” says Christopher Zei, vice president Global OEM and Global Industries, Rockwell Automation. “Rockwell Automation is proud to contribute to this meaningful organization and PACK gives BACK by supporting the families of our nation’s greatest heroes.”
The event will take place on Monday, Nov. 7, in the Grand Ballroom in the South Building of McCormick Place. Tickets are $75 and are on sale now at www.packexpointernational.com and include admission and a reception with beer, wine, and light hors d’oeuvres. The doors will open at 4:30 and the performance begins at 5:30.
“The combination of the entertainment from Penn and Teller and being able to raise money for the No Greater Sacrifice organization will, no doubt, make PACK gives BACK a successful and meaningful event,” says PMMI’s Yuska. “We are thrilled to bring this event back for another year at PACK EXPO.”
Industry-defining associations
The Partner Program also returns to PACK EXPO International and Pharma EXPO 2016. It will welcome 31 associations and 11 international pavilion organizers committed to better serving their members and supporting the processing and packaging industries, reports PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.
“The PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows brings together the best of the processing and packaging industries looking for solutions to industry-wide issues,” says Jim Pittas, Senior Vice President, PMMI. “The associations in the Partner Program are a strong resource for these attendees and exhibitors, and have been a valuable asset to the PACK EXPO shows.”
There are currently 27 associations that will partner with PACK EXPO International 2016, four Pharma EXPO partner associations, and 11 International Pavilion Organizers.
“The Partner Program provides a nice reciprocal marketing benefit for both IoPP and PMMI, whereby more people in the packaging industry can learn about IoPP’s excellent educational programs and IoPP members can stay on top of all the need-to-knows about PACK EXPO,” says Jim George, IoPP’s director of education. “The program is a win-win year in and year out, a huge mutual benefit that enables IoPP and PMMI to continue our robust partnership.”
Meanwhile, Lenze Americas (Booth N-5125) has committed to sponsoring lounges for exhibitors and PMMI members at PACK EXPO International and Pharma EXPO 2016. The lounges provide meeting rooms, seating, coffee, and a chance to recharge away from the show floor.
“The exhibit halls are always full of activity at our shows,” says PMMI’s Yuska “These lounges give exhibitors and members the chance to take a break and relax, eat, or hold important client meetings. We’re grateful for Lenze’s support of this important PACK EXPO show feature.”
“Being on the show floor is a great way to engage with a large audience of customers, but when it comes to having in-depth business discussions or presenting a proposal, it’s helpful to have a quiet meeting place,” explains Susan Duval, marketing manager, Lenze Americas. “Lenze is happy to sponsor this feature for members and exhibitors.”
Member lounges (Rooms N-227B and S-402) will be open on Nov. 6–8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; on Nov. 9 they close at 3 p.m. The member lounge will serve a continental breakfast each morning and provide snacks throughout each day to PMMI member companies. Exhibitor Lounges (Rooms S-405A, E-251, and W-470A) will be open on Nov. 3–10, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each lounge will have complimentary coffee service until 10 a.m. daily.
Another networking opportunity that attendees may want to take advantage of is The Processing Zone, a hub for processing innovations and modern process equipment. It will be located in the Upper Lakeside Center. Meanwhile, at The Containers and Materials Pavilion in the North Building, brand owners can explore new possibilities in all kinds of packaging formats, from flexibles to glass to metal to rigid plastic to printing and labeling breakthroughs.
Attendees from the baking and snack, beverage, and confectionery sectors can network with peers and suppliers at these industry-specific lounges:
• The Baking-Snack Break Lounge, hosted by the Biscuit & Cracker Manufacturers Association and sponsored by Dorner Manufacturing, will be at N-4565. With nearly 15% of PACK EXPO attendees identifying themselves as baking and snack manufacturers, B&CMA President Dave Van Laar knows the importance of this show for the industry. “The opportunity to once again partner with PMMI and PACK EXPO on this lounge is one that we are very excited about,” he says. “PACK EXPO is a valuable event for those in the baking and snack space and by hosting this lounge we provide those in the industry with a specific place for them to network and discuss the latest industry innovations.”
• For the fifth consecutive year, The International Society of Beverage Technologists (ISBT) will host The Beverage Cooler Lounge (N-4575), sponsored exclusively by BEUMER Group. “We are thrilled to be able to host the lounge again at this year’s PACK EXPO,” says Larry Hobbs, Executive Director of ISBT. “To be able to provide a dedicated space on the show floor where those in the beverage industry can network and speak face to face with ISBT experts about trends, both current and forecasted, is invaluable.”
• The National Confectioners Association™ (NCA) is hosting The Candy Bar Lounge (S-2583, sponsored by Matrix) as well as sponsoring The Confectionery Pavilion. The Candy Bar Lounge, says NCA President and CEO John H. Downs, Jr., “Allows OEMs and CPGs in the confectionery industry to convene and discuss solutions to challenges the industry might be facing at that time, as well as share the latest innovations specific to confectionery manufacturing.”
Award-winning inspiration
The Showcase of Packaging Innovations™, sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company, will return to PACK EXPO International, too. The showcase will display the latest innovations and award-winning designs in packaging.
“Packaging has evolved over the years into vessels that not only protect the products inside but enhance them,” says Yuska. “The Showcase of Packaging Innovations at PACK EXPO International spotlights the innovations and inspires future breakthroughs in design and technology.”
The packages featured in the showcase are winning entries from competitions all around the world.
“We are proud to have been involved with the Showcase of Packaging Innovations since its inception at PACK EXPO 13 years ago,” says Karen S. Carter, Commercial Vice President for Dow’s North America Packaging and Specialty Plastics business. “The cutting-edge packaging designs presented in the Showcase over the years have made a major contribution to moving the industry forward, and we are eager to continue that legacy at the show.”
This year’s showcase, which will be located in the Upper North Building of McCormick Place in Booth N-5765, will feature award-winning entries from 15 organizations.
Also returning to PACK EXPO is the Food Safety Summit Resource Center, organized by The Food Safety Summit Conference & Expo and BNP Media. Bringing together experts in food safety and production for a series of educational opportunities, the center will offer free 30-minute presentations and one-on-one consultations from leading subject matter experts to address industry-wide food safety issues. Topics covered will include latest breakthroughs and best practices in food production, storage, and distribution as well as recent advances applying to the Global Food Safety Initiative and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This marks the sixth year that the Food Safety Summit Resource Center will be featured at PACK EXPO.
Educational activities
Essential to PACK EXPO are educational activities, and this year once again ASCO, an Emerson company, will sponsor the seventh edition of the annual Amazing Packaging Race at PACK EXPO International 2016.
“ASCO displays its continued support for education in the packaging industry by sponsoring the Amazing Packaging Race for the sixth consecutive year. We are grateful for their commitment to the industry and the success of this program,” says Glen Long, Senior Vice President at PMMI.
The Amazing Packaging Race will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 9, during the last day of the show. “In order for the processing and packaging industry to progress further, we must engage and educate the next generation of innovators,” says Robert W. Kemple, Jr., Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing at ASCO. “Through the sponsorship of the Amazing Packaging Race, ASCO has an opportunity to show students the exciting possibilities this industry has to offer.”
Participating students will make their way around the vast 1.2 million net square feet of show floor space to complete a series of tasks assigned by exhibitors. The race will conclude with the announcement of the winning team at the ASCO Booth (Booth # N-5345).
Exhibitors and PMMI Partner Schools are invited to participate in the Amazing Packaging Race. Contact Nicole Dierkes, [email protected]. Exhibitors are asked to contribute $500 to the PMMI Education & Training Foundation, which supports educational efforts including scholarships for students at PMMI Partner Schools.
Future Innovators Robotics Showcase, sponsored by B&R, is another learning experience that’s not to be missed. Several Chicago-area high schools with First Robotics teams bring the robots they’ve built and demonstrate how each works. Attendees get to watch these cool demonstrations and ask questions of the students and their instructors. Each day of the show will see two teams demonstrating their robots in half-day shifts. PMMI’s Education & Training Foundation will donate $500 to each high school to support the teams. The program reaches out to high school students to expose them to packaging and processing as a potential career choice. The Future Innovators Robotics Showcase will take place in N-4585.
One additional learning center that PACK EXPO visitors should be aware of is the one focused on reusables. In partnership with PMMI, the Reusable Packaging Association will host the Reusable Packaging Pavilion to co-locate exhibiting members to create a single section of the trade show dedicated to reusable packaging products and services. During PACK EXPO, 42 RPA members will locate their booths inside the Pavilion making it easier for attendees to find reusable packaging solutions. The Reusable Packaging Learning Center, staged inside this Pavilion, will feature a lineup of speakers and panelists who present information on new developments in reusable packaging and share insights on product applications, performance, and impact. The Learning Center schedule includes case study presentations by the winners of the RPA Excellence in Reusable Packaging Award and is the site of the annual RPA Networking Happy Hour.
Professional development opportunities
Get more out of your trip to Chicago by adding a training workshop to the beginning or end of your stay:
• Next GEN Networking Fair—Meet the next generation of your workforce. Sponsored by B&R. Contact Stephan Girard at [email protected].
• Risk Assessment Workshop, November 4-5—Learn how to conduct a risk assessment in your plant through this hands-on training workshop. Contact Fred Hayes at [email protected].
• Certified Trainer Workshops, November 6-7 and November 8-9—Gain the strategies and tactics to train service technicians, service and training managers, maintenance technicians, internal trainers, line supervisors, and any employee tasked with training fellow employees or customers. For more information contact Nicole Dierkes, [email protected]
• The Education & Workforce Development Pavilion. Here you can learn about the following (phone 888/275-7664 for details):
- eLearning—Convenient online courses cover the basics of plant operations and are available for employees to complete any time day or night.
- Certified Trainer—PMMI’s “train-the-trainer” program is an empowering and valuable investment in someone on your staff.
- Mechatronics Certificate Tests—Recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor, this series of assessments helps you advance your skills or those of your team.
- Risk Assessment—This two-day workshop covers all the issues that PMMI members ask about most.
Women to convene at PACK EXPO
Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) – convened by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies – is hosting an exclusive networking breakfast at PACK EXPO International 2016 on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Sponsored by Bosch Packaging Technology and Duravant, it’s open to all women exhibitor booth personnel, registered women attendees, and women students and faculty, PPWLN’s inaugural networking breakfast is an opportunity for women to network with their colleagues in the industry, as well as hear from women executives in processing and packaging.
The agenda for the event:
7:00 a.m. – Breakfast and Networking
7:30-8:00 a.m. – Presentation by Diane Lyons, Lead Client Service Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Diane serves as the Audit Industry Leader for the Consumer and Industrial Products Industry, including
numerous engagements as lead partner for complex global clients.
Diane has more than 29 years of experience focusing on private and public companies in the consumer, industrial, and life sciences industries. The list of clients Diane serves or has served includes Treehouse Foods, IDEX, Franklin Electric, PPG Industries, Hospira, Tenneco, Middleby Corporation, Packaging Corporation of America, and Pactiv. Diane’s service approach is to immerse herself in her clients and fully understand expectations and business strategy; she understands that clients want a partner who is engaged and deeply focused on their business.
Diane will share her experience using candid and frequent communication as the foundation to build trusted relationships with all levels of management and in leading local and global engagement teams.
In addition, Diane will add her insights to the 2015 “Women in manufacturing study: Exploring the gender gap.” Commissioned by Deloitte, The Manufacturing Institute, and APICS, the study aims to understand why manufacturing is not attracting, retaining, and advancing its fair share of talented women. From addressing the talent shortage to improved financial performance, the business case for increasing the share of women in the manufacturing workforce is persuasive.
8:00-8:30 a.m. – Joyce Fassl, Editor-in-Chief, ProFood World will moderate a PPWLN Executive Council panel discussion. Panelists are:
Patty Andersen, Vice President of Human Resources, Delkor Systems, Inc.
Jill Costelow, VP of Operations, Pressed Juicery LLC
Janet Tharp, EVP & COO, Bumble Bee Foods, LLC
Rachel Willis, VP of Finance of Labeling & Coding Group, ProMach Inc.
8:30-9:00 a.m. – Q&A and Networking
PPWLN serves to recruit, retain, and advance women’s careers in processing and packaging by bringing both established leaders and young professionals together to expand the influence of women in the industry. For more information on the event contact PMMI Marketing and Communications Manager Elizabeth Normandy at 571/612-3200 or
[email protected]
Join the PPWLN LinkedIn group to stay up-to-date on the latest events and industry news.
