PACK EXPO Las Vegas and co-located Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2019 opens its doors in less than two weeks, Sept. 23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The show brings 2,000+ machinery suppliers together with end users across 40+ vertical industries for the largest, most comprehensive packaging event of the year, and approaching 900,000 net square feet — the largest PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO to date.

Produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, the show addresses critical challenges like sustainability, efficiency, e-commerce, rising demand for organic products and food safety. An expected 30,000 attendees, including 5,000 international visitors from more than 125 countries, will represent a wide range of job functions from decision makers and engineers to brand managers, as well as corporate, general, plant and project managers and more.

“We are especially excited for this year’s show as we have broken our all-time exhibitor and net square footage records,” says Laura Thompson, vice president, trade shows, PMMI. “In addition to the show’s unprecedented growth, we are excited to unveil some brand-new show features too. If you’ve never been to a PACK EXPO, this is the one not to miss.”

DEBUTING Show Features include:

The Robotics Zone includes many interactive robotic and cobot displays, such as:

• Local robotics teams showcasing robots in action in the Future Innovators Robotics Showcase.
• Robots packing food to feed children facing food-insecurity across Las Vegas and the United States, as part of PACK for a Purpose: Robots Fighting Hunger, in collaboration with Blessings in a Backpack. (Robots provided by: Chicago Electric with Yaskawa, Bosch Packaging Technology, Inc, ProMach Performance Services with ABB, Soft Robotics & Cognex, FANUC America Corporation and Universal Robots in partnership with Allied Technology).
• A live concert by Kuka Robotic Band.
• Pick and Place/Relocation Activities in action, compliments of University of Waterloo Autonomous Robot.
• Artificial Intelligence and Human Interaction Demo sponsored by Siemens.
• Presentations every half hour on breakthroughs in robotic technology and automation.

The Forum is an industry knowledge exchange offering a unique, interactive learning experience. Free, 45-minute sessions on key industry trends will include hands-on activities, small group discussions and Q&A sessions each day of the show.

Technology Excellence Awards recognize exhibitors' innovative technology that has never before been shown at a PACK EXPO or Healthcare Packaging EXPO. Attendees will vote on their favorites among the finalists and winners will be announced at the show.

The PACKage Printing Pavilion focuses on the advantages of digital printing, showcasing cost-effective solutions for smart, short-run, on-demand, cost-effective, variable data and personalized packaging.

Returning Favorites:

The Innovation Stage presents free, 30-minute seminars by suppliers throughout the day on the show floor.

Reusable Packaging Learning Center showcases how reusable packaging can improve sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) Breakfast presents Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman to go to space. This year’s theme Exploring New Territory will shine a spotlight on Ochoa— who, in addition to her four space missions, is only the second female Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center where she led the human space flight enterprise for the nation from 2013 to 2018. The breakfast is Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 a.m., register: www.pmmi.org/ppwln/events.  

PACK gives BACK™ features the legendary Steve Miller Band known for hits such as “The Joker,” “Take the Money and Run,” “Fly Like an Eagle,” “Jet Liner,” and “Abracadabra.” A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will support NS2 Serves^®, a nonprofit dedicated to helping U.S. military veterans transition from combat boots to business suits, providing IT training and employment assistance at no cost. The fundraiser is sponsored by Rockwell Automation and kicks off on Monday, Sept. 23, with a networking reception at 4:00 p.m. followed by the musical performance at 5:00 p.m. in the North Hall. Purchase tickets: www.packexpolasvegas.com/pack-gives-back

Notable Pavilions include The Containers and Materials Pavilion, which displays the latest innovations in paperboard, glass, metal and plastic, flexible and resealable packaging. The Showcase of Packaging Innovations, sponsored by Dow, showcases award-nominated packaging solutions. The Reusable Packaging Pavilion, sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA), exhibits sustainable packaging solutions, and The Confectionery Pavilion, sponsored by National Confectioners Association (NCA) showcases the latest trends and technologies relating to aeration, batch refining, shaping and cluster production. Lastly, The Workforce Development Pavilion is PACK EXPO Las Vegas’ one-stop-shop for resources to strengthen and grow industry workforce.

Industry-specific Lounges include The Beverage Cooler Lounge, sponsored by Tetra Pak and hosted by the International Society of Beverage Technologists, The Snack Break Lounge, hosted by SNAC International and The Candy Bar Lounge, sponsored by Bosch and hosted by the NCA. Daily presentations will take place on the Beverage Cooler and Snack Break Stage.

Vision 2025 will kick off with breakfast daily before the show opens, with industry insights and new perspectives. Interactive discussion on key industry topics is FREE to PACK EXPO Las Vegas attendees on a first come, first serve basis. Sessions will take place, Monday through Wednesday,  7–9 a.m.

Student Opportunities to get students excited about careers in packaging include The Amazing Packaging Race, which is designed to show university students exciting possibilities in the packaging industry. And CareerLink LIVE @ PACK EXPO, PMMI’s online job board, is an opportunity for companies to meet with students and veterans during one-on-one informational interviews.

Attendees can use the My Show Planner (or the mobile app, sponsored by ProMach) to check the schedule of booth activities, add sessions to an itinerary and plan a route around the show floor.

Registration, which includes access to both PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO, is $100. For more information and to register online, visit packexpolasvegas.com and hcpelasvegas.com.