PHILADELPHIA — PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI), is hosting PACK EXPO East every two years, its largest show to date in 2024, across 120,000 net square feet at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. PMMI also reported a record number of more than 7,977 attendees and 500 exhibitors at the event.
“I’m really excited to see this growth,” said Laura Thompson, PMMI’s vice president of trade shows. “Our industry is doing well… (and) I think that’s a key factor because we’re seeing growth across all of our shows.”
Additionally, Thompson shared that PMMI’s collaboration with the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has boosted attendance: “The CVB has been very focused on helping us find ways to reach new audiences and use some of their targeted lists to promote this show.”
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Thompson said PACK EXPO East’s location also makes it more accessible to many in its target area — 70 percent of show attendees come from Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey — and more new attendees are visiting in 2024.
“One of the great things about this show is they can take the train (and) they can drive there, so someone who wouldn’t have been allowed to fly to the Las Vegas show or the Chicago show can come… learn about the industry and get exposed to some of the latest trends.
“Our show has a really good mix of attendees, where you have high-level consumer packaged goods (CPG), all these brands that you know well… (and) someone who says, ‘Hey, I package these cookies myself and I want to scale up my production, where do I start?’… and the beauty of Pack Expo is that we kind of have it all,” Thompson said.
Thompson explained that the smaller size of PACK EXPO East, compared to other PACK EXPO events, makes it much easier for people to “come in and have more in-depth conversations… I really enjoy having the opportunity to introduce new people to the industry and give them time to really interact and learn.”
The show’s receptions and networking events also saw an increase in attendance, with the Young Professionals Networking Reception selling out. PMMI also hosted a new student scavenger hunt.
“I think attendees are looking for that personalized experience… you want to connect and meet other industry peers,” Thompson added. “We’re excited to see the success of this regional event… (and) to have the opportunity to bring these solutions to this region, as well as connect our exhibitors with brand new buyers who don’t come to our other shows… any time we can help facilitate that, it’s a win-win for us.”
PMMI’s upcoming PACK EXPO International 2024, scheduled for November 3-6 at McCormick Place in Chicago, has already surpassed its 2022 net square footage and exhibitor count, and will include new educational stages on sustainability and emerging brands.
Contact Laura Thompson at lthompson@pmmi.org.
