PACK EXPO International 2024 hosts its largest show to date
Syntegon booth at PACK EXPO International Credit Vanessa L Facenda
The largest packaging and processing show of the year, PACK EXPO International, took place 3-6 November with significant crowds throughout its four-day stint at McCormick Place in Chicago. A record number of 2,700 exhibitors occupied 1.32 million net square feet of space, making PACK EXPO International the largest show in its history and the biggest event at McCormick Place this year.
A trend that began post-Covid with trade shows that have a Sunday start date occurred at PACK EXPO International as well — lower attendance on the first day. However, attendance quickly picked up beginning Monday as show organiser, PMMI (The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies), reported that the show brought together 48,000 attendees and 29,500 exhibitor personnel, reaching 77,500 in total attendance. International attendance increased 19% over 2022 (PEI is a biennial exhibition).
“PACK EXPO International 2024 has truly raised the bar for what an industry event can achieve,” said Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. “This show has not only grown in scale but also in substance, attracting attendees and exhibitors from every corner of the industry. The connections made here are invaluable, reinforcing PACK EXPO’s role as an unmatched platform for innovation, collaboration, and progress across the packaging and processing landscape.”
The show has significantly grown year over year with a 10% increase in exhibit space and 24% increase in number of exhibitors from PACK EXPO International 2022. “All across the board, our numbers have increased. Exhibitors continue to showcase top innovations, and attendees are flocking to see the latest solutions to their manufacturing challenges,” said Laura Thompson, vice president of trade shows at PMMI. “It’s not just the size of our show which draws people in – it’s the quality.”
With seven pavilions tailored to meet industry demands, new show features like Sustainability Central and Emerging Brands Central, and show resources to help attendees plan their days, attendees found value throughout the show.
Exhibitors found the show rewarding with plenty of opportunities for sales leads.
“PACK EXPO International is a very important packaging show for our business in the U.S. market and the automation industry,” said Jonathan Titterton, CEO, Coesia North America. “We appreciate the opportunity to discuss with our customers’ face-to-face how customised solutions are helping them with greater flexibility, efficiency, and productivity.”
There were ample suppliers to the coffee and tea industries exhibiting at PEI this year, in addition to Coesia, including IMA SpA, Syntegon, GEA Processing, Fres-co, Buhler, CAMA Packaging, Tetra Pak, Graphic Packaging, Amcor, and Pacteon, among many others.
Attendees were able to make valuable connections off the show floor as well with popular networking events like PACK gives BACK™, sponsored by Rockwell Automation, seeing nearly 3,000 attendees enjoy comedy from Nate Bargatze to benefit the PMMI Foundation. The popular Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) breakfast was held on 5 November with guest speaker Lisa Sun, founder & CEO of retail brand and lifestyle company GRAVITAS giving an inspiring presentation. The Young Professionals Networking Reception, sponsored by Beckhoff Automation LLC at Flight Chicago gave emerging leaders in packaging and processing a chance to build new relationships with their peers.
Looking to the workforce of the future, PACK EXPO International featured several activities for local students to encourage their interest in the industry. Events like the PACK Challenge, sponsored by PepsiCo, and the Amazing Packaging Race, sponsored by Emerson Discrete Automation Group, had students use their creativity and ingenuity to conquer real-life manufacturing challenges.
The next PACK EXPO event will be the new PACK EXPO Southeast, scheduled for 10-12 March 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information and to register, visit packexposoutheast.com. PACK EXPO Las Vegas will take place 29 September through 1 October 2025. For more information, visit packexpolasvegas.com. The next PACK EXPO International is scheduled for 18-21 October 2026. For more information, visit: packexpointernational.com).
