PACK EXPO Las Vegas will draw an estimated 25,000 visitors including food processors. Photo courtesy of Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute
Looking for a great package deal? How about the latest food industry trends and technologies … all packaged up at one time and in one location.
That’s the promise of PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2011, September 26-28, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Organizers expect the event to draw as many as 25,000 industry professionals for three days of industry programs and an exhibition of more than 1,600 exhibitors.
Show sponsor, the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), says focus group studies helped it organize the show with a better understanding how consumer and industry trends impact the entire production line. These trends involve food-, employee- and environmental-safety concerns, sustainability issues and packaging and products considered “unique” by consumers.
PMMI says it planned an accompanying three-day conference with more than 45 sessions in related tracks of sustainability, operations, innovation, product safety, best practices, workforce development and overall packaging trends.
“Consumers demand and reward innovations in products and packages - especially those that deliver convenience, value and safety,” says Charles D. Yuska, PMMI president & CEO. “In September, PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2011 will be home to technologies and concepts from processing and packaging suppliers committed to helping their customers find new ways to address consumer demands and to improve efficiency and productivity - from processing to packaging to warehousing.”
Speaking of processing, the September 2011 show marks the debut of processing equipment on the PACK EXPO Las Vegas floor.
“Attendees at last year’s PACK EXPO International let us know they were pleased to come to PACK EXPO and find total systems solutions,” says Yuska. “I am certain PACK EXPO Las Vegas attendees will have the same reaction.”
Show organizers say they hope to attract teams of food processing and packaging engineers. The goal is to give engineers complete systems solutions related to efficiency, speed and sustainability.
Nestlé Global Technician Procurement Manager Stephane Boubee told PMMI that the expanded show indeed brings an opportunity to expand his sourcing horizons.
“The show allows me to initiate some commercial relationships with suppliers I didn’t know before,” he told PMMI. “PACK EXPO is definitely a ‘must-be-at’ show.”
PMMI notes that food industry executives will account for more than 40 percent of all show attendees. Yet regardless of product, PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2011 should deliver solutions from robotics and automation to food safety, filling and palletizing, officials say.
The show floor will feature several special areas, including…
… Food Safety Summit Resource Center. Organizers say this area will feature industry and subject matter experts who can help processors learn about the latest breakthroughs in food safety and consider innovative ways to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act’s new rules and regulations.
… The Processing Zone. Although process equipment will be displayed throughout the show, PMMI says this special pavilion will showcase technologies to enhance food safety, reduce waste, ensure product freshness and improve sustainability.
… The Brand Zone. This sold-out area will show food manufacturers the latest container and material innovations related to convenience, portion control, sustainability and more, says PMMI. Exhibits will feature advances in glass, plastic, metal and paperboard as well as decorating and labeling techniques. The Brand Zone also is home to “The Showcase of Packaging Innovations,” sponsored by The Dow Chemical Co.; and a display of “PACK EXPO Selects finalists,” recognizing best-in-class consumer packaging by PACK EXPO Las Vegas exhibitors.
“Packaging is critical to brand success,” Yuska concludes. “Attendees will find packaging innovations in The Brand Zone that can sharpen their competitive edge at the point of sale. The full spectrum of packaging and processing equipment and components on site will help brand owners easily find solutions to bring innovative concepts to market quickly and efficiently.”
AT A GLANCE
What: PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2011When: Sept. 26-28
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev.
Who: PMMI expects 25,000 attendees and 1,600 exhibitors. Visitors include buyers and supplier of packaging and processing equipment, supplies and services for food, beverage, candy and pharmaceutical industries.
Contact: Visit www.packexpo.com or call (888) 275-7664 (ASK PMMI)
Food for thought
PACK EXPO Las Vegas educational seminarsfor food processing, packaging engineers.*
MONDAY, SEPT. 26
Theme(s): Sustainability, operations
• Innovate for positive results on costs, profits
• Develop a sustainable, resusable packaging transport system
• Total cost ownership: Brand owner’s keys for managing vendors
• Answering packaging line layout questions
• Food Safety Modernization Act update & CPG companies’ response
• Importance of nondestructive packaging testing
• Five faces of innovation: Integrating from concept to consumer
• The cost of sustainability
• Food safety guidelines: Process validation in low-moisture foods
• What’s next in sustainable packaging
• Perfect ingredients for packaging innovation
• Going green: From “should” to “good”
TUESDAY, SEPT. 27
Theme(s): Workforce development, product safety, sustainability, converting operations
• Managing, protecting reusable packaging assets
• Packaging HACCP: What to expect from suppliers
• Workforce development: Competency models reviewed
• Product security in today’s global manufacturing environment
• Compensation: Providing value that justifies the money
• Sustainability: Gate-to-gate tracking from manufacturing upstream
• Blended online, traditional worker training
• Understanding third-party auditing certification
• Use of UV/EB for food packaging
• Find, train, retain the right workers
• Food safety & packaging: Hazards, recalls and new strategies
• Required packaging GMPs: One voice from CPG companies
Wednesday, SEPT. 28
Theme(s): Trends
• Future packaging trends
• Mobile moment of truth: Packaging, retail and the engaged consumer
• Contract packaging trends
*Excludes converting, beverage, drug and medical device sessions
