Live and in person: PACK EXPO Las Vegas showcases dairy industry solutions

Busier shopper lifestyles are leading to greater demand for single-serve portion packaging. For instance, consumers are seeking milk in smaller portions when they are on the go, after a workout, in their lunch boxes and at home. There is also more interest in designs that emphasize food safety, convenience and sustainability.  Packaging is shifting to include the use of more sustainable materials such as post-consumer resin and packaging that can extend the shelf life of products.

For the first time in 18 months, dairy producers can find the latest advances to meet these changing consumer demands live and in action at PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2021 (Sept. 27-29, Las Vegas Convention Center).

Show producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, will reunite the packaging and processing community with more than 1,500 exhibitors, targeted, education and networking opportunities spread across four halls at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“Registration is exceeding expectations, and we anticipate well over 20,000 packaging and processing professionals in attendance this September,”​ said Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI.

“These numbers indicate an industry eager and more ready than ever to get back together. With thousands of attendees from CPGs and pharma companies already registered​ to attend and 1,500 exhibiting companies, this is the one place that will unite the entire industry this year.”​

As processing and packaging are becoming integrated systems in today’s dairy market, it is more critical than ever to bring both packaging and processing solutions under one roof. Back by popular demand to address this issue, The Processing Zone returns to PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO. With the return of The Processing Zone, attendees will have the opportunity to discover solutions to help increase efficiency, achieve total system integration and ensure safety. The Processing Innovation Stage will focus on the latest breakthroughs in processing during free, 30-minute educational sessions.

A new addition to PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2021 celebrates the role of packaging and processing through history and the impact it is poised to have in the future. PACK to the Future is a curated exhibit of nearly 30 pieces of historical equipment, materials and photographs spanning 250 years, journeying through the evolution of packaging and processing and highlighting how the industry developed alongside civilization. A special UnPACKED with PMMI podcast series will cover the new exhibit.

The new PACK to the Future Stage​ ​will provide sessions on groundbreaking industry advancements and features free presentations by industry experts on advances in pharmaceutical and cannabis packaging, wireless factory automation, sustainable alternatives, smart packaging, artificial intelligence and more.

The Innovation Stages​ ​and The Forum are two returning staples in the PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows. Innovation Stage sessions are free, 30-minute seminars on breakthroughs and best practices, presented by suppliers throughout the day at various Innovation Stages in North and Central Hall. Many of these sessions will cover key trends such as sustainability, supply chain resilience, automation solutions, digital transformation and automation of particular interest to dairy manufacturers.

The Forum offers free, 45-minute learning sessions on the latest industry trends, including hands-on activities, small group discussions and Q&A each day of the show. Organizations holding interactive sessions at The Forum include: OpX Leadership Network; Contract Packagers Association (CPA); The Organization for Automation and Control (OMAC); and PMMI Business Intelligence.

The Technology Excellence Awards will recognize exhibitors’ innovative technology that has not yet been shown at a PACK EXPO and Healthcare Packaging EXPO. All registered attendees will be able to vote on their favorites among these finalists. Winners will be announced in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Sept. 28.

Networking continues at the Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) Breakfast: The New World of Work ​on Tuesday, Sept. 28. There will be a special keynote presentation from Tracey Noonan, co-founder and CEO of Wicked Good Cupcakes. After her keynote, Noonan will join Yolanda Malone, vice president of global RD Foods at PepsiCo, and AJ Jorgenson, vice president of strategic engagement at The Manufacturing Institute, for a conversation about the future of manufacturing.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO will feature key pavilions focused on key technologies of interest to dairy producers. The PACKage Printing Pavilion will focus on the advantages of digital printing, showcasing the latest in cost-effective solutions for smart, short-run, on-demand, cost-effective, variable data and personalized packaging.

The Containers and Materials Pavilion​ offers the ​latest innovations in paperboard, glass, metal and plastic, flexible and resealable packaging, as well as containers and materials. Within The Containers and Materials Pavilion, attendees can find all the award-winning packaging solutions from the past year at the Showcase of Packaging Innovations.

The Reusable Packaging Pavilion​, sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA), highlights sustainable packaging solutions to help reduce waste, cut costs and gain chain efficiency.

The Confectionery Pavilion focuses on the ​latest trends and technologies relating to aeration, batch refining, shaping, cluster production and more. It is also home to the Candy Bar Lounge​, where attendees can network, gain insights and recharge.

The Workforce Development Pavilion​ is PACK EXPO Las Vegas’ one-stop-shop for resources to strengthen and grow the existing workforce. Learn about PMMI U offerings, including popular training workshops. Schools will present mechatronics, packaging and processing offerings and students interested in careers in the industry. Additional student opportunities include The Amazing Packaging Race, sponsored by Emerson and the Future Innovators Robotics Showcase Sponsored by Rockwell Automation. The Amazing Packaging Race sends teams from colleges and universities across the US around the PACK EXPO Las Vegas show floor to complete fun and educational tasks at the booths of participating exhibitors. Winners will be announced on-site on Wednesday, Sept. 29.

At the Future Innovators Robotics Showcase, ​robotics teams from Las Vegas area high schools bring in robots they have designed and built themselves and show them in action.

Registration, which includes access to both PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO, is $100. To learn more about the advanced packaging solutions that will be on display as well as the educational and networking opportunities, visit http://www.packexpolasvegas.com​.