Held Nov. 3-6 in Chicago, the biennial PACK EXPO International has gone down in the history books as the largest to date, as well as the largest event held at McCormick Place in 2024, according to officials from the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. (PMMI), which produces the show.
The packaging and processing industry trade show and conference brought together 48,000 attendees and 29,500 exhibitors, reaching 77,500 people in total with a 19% increase in international attendance. The show saw a record 2,700 exhibitors occupying more than 1.3 million net square feet of exhibit space, an increase of 10% in exhibit space and 24% in number of exhibitors. exhibitors compared to PACK EXPO International 2022, according to PMMI officials.
What they say: “PACK EXPO International 2024 has truly raised the bar for what an industry event can achieve,” said Jim Pittas, President and CEO of PMMI. “This show has not only grown in size but also gained momentum, attracting attendees and exhibitors from all walks of the industry. The connections made here are invaluable, reinforcing PACK EXPO’s role as an unrivaled platform for innovation, collaboration and progress across the packaging and processing landscape.
Looking back: Held October 23-26, 2022 at McCormick Place for the first time in four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the bustling event attracted more than 44,000 attendees and 2,200 exhibitors over a net floor space of 1, 2 million square feet, eclipsing its 2018 edition.
Deeper Dive: “Overall, our numbers have increased,” said Laura Thompson, vice president of trade shows at PMMI. “Exhibitors continue to showcase the best innovations and attendees flock to discover the latest solutions to their manufacturing challenges. It’s not just the size of our show that draws people in, it’s also the quality.
A lively living room
On the huge exhibition, exhibitors showcased the latest innovations in packaging, processing and automation in seven pavilions tailored to meet the demands, trends and fast-growing segments of the industry, offering solutions to participants from more than 40 vertical markets.
“There were more machines than ever at the show, and our two most recent events – Sustainability Central and Emerging Brands Central – attracted huge numbers of attendees,” Thompson explained. “They offered the latest insights on sustainable solutions and a space for emerging brands to learn how to scale their operations and consult one-on-one with industry experts.”
She added that more than 150 educational sessions took place across eight stages throughout the show, allowing attendees to attend a session to learn something new and then continue to explore the exhibition as they see fit. From the sustainability center stage to the transformation innovation stage, attendees were able to delve into the revolutionary technologies, best practices and trends shaping the future of packaging.
What the exhibitors say
“I’m a packaging engineer in the pharmaceutical industry and I love coming to PACK EXPO International to network and source new packaging materials – it’s an incredible show,” said Rachel Hark, packaging engineer at Catalent Pharma Solutions. “I am particularly focused on finding packaging solutions that are also good for the Earth. I have attended the PACK EXPO shows around ten times and I love the application! This has really helped me figure out what I need to do on site and not feel overwhelmed.
Many seasoned and first-time exhibitors said they were pleased with the strong buyer presence, strong floor traffic and high-quality sales opportunities at the event.
“PACK EXPO International is a great show (and) we have been exhibiting there for many years,” said John Ruyf, project planner at The Austin Company. “This year we met with many of our target customers, connected with suppliers and met our lead goals. The conversations we have are positive.
He continued: “We chose to exhibit at the show for brand awareness. The main suppliers and brands in the sector are all present. It’s a good place to communicate with the people we work with. As long as the show is there, we will be at PACK EXPO International.
Beyond the living room
Attendees also had the opportunity to gain valuable industry insights and make valuable connections outside of the show.
Popular networking events included PACK gives BACK, where 3,000 attendees enjoyed the comedy of Nate Bargatze to benefit the PMMI Foundation, and the Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) Breakfast, featuring speaker guest Lisa Sun, founder and CEO of a retail brand and lifestyle company. GRAVITAS, who delivered an inspiring presentation. Additionally, the Young Professionals Networking Reception and New Attendee Breakfast provided attendees with the opportunity to meet industry leaders, make connections and share ideas.
“There are so many takeaways from the show,” said Grace Dover Hoffman, director of purchasing at Little Spoon. “I had many valuable conversations with suppliers and was inspired by events at PACK EXPO International, such as the Packaging and Processing Women’s Leadership Network breakfast. It’s a great place for networking and new ideas.
When it comes to the workforce of tomorrow, the show also featured several activities aimed at local students to stimulate their interest in the industry. Events such as the PACK Challenge and the Amazing Packaging Race inspired and motivated students to use their creativity and ingenuity to tackle real-world manufacturing challenges.
“Our goal is to present an attendee-centric experience, helping attendees attend a large show like PACK EXPO International, find exactly what they need, discover things they might not even know they needed and to make valuable connections across sectors,” Thompson said.
Looking to the future
Next up for PMMI is the inaugural PACK EXPO Southeast, scheduled for March 10-12, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Designed to be the most comprehensive show in the region, the new event will offer a broad range of solutions for more than 40 vertical markets, giving attendees access to cross-innovations from other industries equipped to meet the challenges of packaging and processing.
PACK EXPO International will return to McCormick Place from October 18 to 21, 2026.
Related: PMMI Produces Largest Las Vegas EXPO PACK in History (October 2023)
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