PACK EXPO International 2026, North America’s most comprehensive packaging and processing event, opens today at McCormick Place and continues through Wednesday, Oct. 21, with 2,700 exhibitors showcasing innovations across more than 1.3 million net square feet of exhibit space.
Tens of thousands of packaging and processing professionals from 40+ vertical markets are expected to attend to see machinery in operation, learn about emerging technologies, and participate in educational sessions and networking events.
“PACK EXPO International is where innovation comes to life,” says Laura Thompson, vice president, trade shows, PMMI. “The energy on the show floor is unmatched, with thousands of professionals coming together to see technology in action, exchange ideas, and find solutions to their biggest challenges. This record-breaking event demonstrates the strength, ingenuity, and momentum of our industry.”
Seven targeted pavilions simplify show floor navigation. Destinations include:
- The Food & Beverage Processing Zone
- The Logistics Pavilion
- The Confectionery Pavilion, sponsored by the National Confectioners Association
- The PACKage Printing Pavilion
- The Healthcare Packaging Pavilion
- The Containers and Materials Pavilion, including the Showcase of Packaging Innovations®, sponsored by Smurfit Westrock, featuring award-winning package designs.
- The Reusable Packaging Pavilion, sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA)
Education and Networking
More than 150 free educational sessions will be offered throughout the show, right on the show floor:
- The Food & Beverage Processing Innovation Stage
- The Innovation Stages
- Industry Speaks
- Sustainability Central, presented by Packaging World, sponsored by EFP, LLC
- The Reusable Packaging Learning Center, sponsored by RPA
Networking events include this evening’s sold-out Young Professionals Networking Reception at the Game Room at the Chicago Athletic Association. Hosted by PMMI’s Young Professionals Network and sponsored by Beckhoff Automation LLC, this free event helps emerging professionals build their industry networks.
Another sold-out event, PACK gives BACK™, will feature Third Eye Blind at the House of Blues Chicago on Monday, Oct. 19. Sponsored by Rockwell Automation, the reception and performance benefit the PMMI Foundation, supporting packaging and processing education throughout North America.
Tuesday, Oct. 20, begins with the Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network Breakfast, featuring Col. Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.), the first woman Thunderbird pilot. Gold sponsors include Morrison Container Handling Solutions, ProMach, and its PowHER Women’s Resource Group. Silver sponsors include BW Packaging, Dassault Systèmes, Duravant, Plexpack Corp., Ryson International Inc., and Septimatech Group Inc.
The show also provides a dedicated space for first-time attendees with planning resources. The First-Time Attendee Lounge, sponsored by ProMach, offers a daily session on How to Navigate the Show Like a Pro, Search the Show kiosks, and personalized guidance to help locate exhibitors, identify sessions, and create a plan to tackle the show floor. There’s also a Networking Breakfast on Monday, Oct. 19.
A series of three Vision 2030 sessions will bring CPG companies and PMMI Members together to collaborate on key operational issues in packaging and processing.
The new SMB FastTrack program helps small and medium-sized businesses identify exhibitors and educational sessions relevant to their needs. Look for the SMB Friendly icon on exhibitor’s booth listings and educational sessions. Also new, the expert-led PACK EXPO Discovery Tours, produced by PMMI Media Group, help qualified end users, contract packagers/manufacturers, and retailers efficiently explore specific technology categories. Separate registration is required, and tours cost $49 each.
Connected digital tools help attendees maximize their show experience. The new PACK EXPO Solutions Finder identifies relevant exhibitor solutions that can be added to My Show Planner, where attendees can search exhibitors, products, and sessions and build personalized agendas. My Show Planner syncs with the PACK EXPO International mobile app, sponsored by ProMach, which also offers turn-by-turn navigation. Sustainability resources include the Sustainability Solutions Finder and PACK EXPO Green designation.
At the Association Partner Pavilion, attendees can learn about the programs and resources offered by nearly 40 leading industry organizations.
The Next Generation
Each edition of PACK EXPO International provides activities that introduce students to careers in packaging and processing. High school teams competing in the PACK Challenge will demonstrate packaging machines they designed and built. Nearby at the Future Innovators Robotics Showcase, sponsored by Schneider Electric, high school robotics teams will demonstrate their automation, programming, and engineering skills.
At the Workforce Development Pavilion, connections can be forged among attendees, PMMI Education Partners, students, and industry-focused training resources.
As part of the Students PACK the EXPO program, participants from schools in Indiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois will be introduced to packaging and processing through a PACK Quest, show-floor tours, and a lunch-and-learn session.
On Wednesday, Oct. 21, university engineering students will tackle real-world challenges at exhibitor booths during the Amazing Packaging Race, sponsored by SICK, Inc.
Register Now
It’s not too late to experience live demonstrations, new technology, educational sessions, and industry-wide networking at PACK EXPO International, which occurs every two years. Exhibit hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 18, through Tuesday, Oct. 20, and 9 a.m.–3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Register now and begin building your My Show Planner itinerary, download the mobile app, and arrive prepared to gather immediately actionable information to take home to your operation.
For additional details and to register, go to packexpointernational.com.
