Reston, VA-based PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, the owner and producer of the PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, welcomes Ray Luca to the staff as director of expositions. He oversees the team responsible for the operations and management of PACK EXPO events, most immediately at PACK EXPO International, to be held Nov. 2-5 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

“Ray’s been working in trade shows for more than 20 years, managing shows such as the Worldwide Food Expo, The FMI Show and InterBev,” says Jim Pittas, senior vice president, trade shows. “He knows the ins and outs of the industries the PACK EXPO shows serve, and his range of experience makes him able to provide fresh insight.”

Prior to PMMI, Luca worked with NaylorCMG. He joined the company when it was Convention Management Group, a startup in the mid-1990s, and helped lead the firm through its acquisition by Naylor in 2007.

“Each group and each event is different, and the experiences have allowed me to work with many of the best partners and solutions providers in trade shows,” says Luca. “I thoroughly enjoy working in the exhibitions industry, and I’ve learned something new at every event I’ve attended.

“I am excited to be part of PMMI and to work on managing some of the country’s largest trade shows. I look forward to being part of the unique approach that has made PACK EXPO International so highly successful. PMMI has a tremendous reputation as a leader in exhibitions and events.”