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PACK EXPO sets new trade show standard for packaging

PACK EXPO International and Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2018 wrapped as largest yet.

PACK EXPO International and Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2018 wrapped as largest yet
PACK EXPO International and Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2018 wrapped as largest yet

Closing out another year of record-breaking events for the PACK EXPO Portfolio of Trade Shows, the largest ever PACK EXPO International and co-located Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2018 convened nearly 45,000 attendees with 2,500 exhibitors over 1.25 million net square feet at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Show owner and producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, reported 457 new exhibitors this year, which is no surprise as the show opened its doors amidst forecasts of growth in the packaging industry, based on PMMI’s State of the Industry U.S. Packaging Machinery Report.

“The continued success of PACK EXPO is a testament to not only our industry’s growth, but PMMI’s commitment to offering a world-class environment for exhibitors to offer cutting-edge solutions to our attendees,” says Jim Pittas, CEO, PMMI. “We are committed to adding value by constantly improving our show offerings to assist in driving the packaging industry into the future.”

Darren Ward, director of engineering at Coca-Cola, Southwest Beverages, came to PACK EXPO looking for a more environmentally friendly way to bind bottles together.

"We come to PACK EXPO to learn what we don't know and to find true innovation,” says Ward. “Packaging is a big deal for us, and the smaller our footprint, the better."

Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2018 continued its steady growth with representatives from each of the top 25 pharma companies by global sales finding solutions among 250 healthcare suppliers from the pharmaceutical, biopharma, nutraceutical and medical device industries.

A 10-plus year exhibitor at PACK EXPO, Scott Smith, vice president, global business development and strategic marketing for Barry Wehmiller, positioned PACK EXPO International and Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2018 as one of the best in his recent memory. “I can’t remember a show with better quality clients who were very obviously at the show to engage and learn from exhibiting packaging equipment companies,” says Smith. “As a testament to that, Barry Wehmiller had dozens of pre-scheduled meetings with customers this year, and the most impressive thing about that was that virtually all of them showed up for their meetings, despite the size of the show and the distraction of a great city. PMMI has built an environment that encourages engagement and learning, and it seems to get better every year.”

The buzz on the show floor also confirmed that exhibitors and attendees from companies of all sizes found a rewarding, and some claim unparalleled, experience at the four-day event.

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