PACK EXPO International 2024 draws 77,500 to Chicago
PACK EXPO International 2024 drew a total of 77,500 people to Chicago from Nov. 3-6, an attendance increase of 19% from 2022. The total included 48,000 attendees and 29,500 exhibitor personnel.
A record 2,700 exhibitors occupied 1.32 million net square feet of space, making PACK EXPO International the largest show in its history, according to a news release from event presenter PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.
“PACK EXPO International 2024 has truly raised the bar for what an industry event can achieve,” Jim Pittas, PMMI president and CEO, said in the release. “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.”
Exhibit space increased 10% from 2022, while exhibitors increased by 24%.
“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, PMMI vice president of trade shows. “It’s not just the size of our show which draws people in – it’s the quality.”
The event included seven pavilions and new features such as Sustainability Central and Emerging Brands Central.
“I am a packaging engineer in the pharma space, and I love coming to PACK EXPO International to network and find new packaging materials. It’s an amazing show,” Rachel Hark, packaging engineer at Catalent Pharma Solutions in Kansas City, Missouri, said. “I’m especially focused on finding packaging solutions that are also good for the earth. I have attended PACK EXPO shows about 10 times and love the app. It has really helped me map out what I have to do while onsite and not feel overwhelmed.”
First-time attendees and emerging brands also gave the event high marks.
“This is our first time attending, and it’s been a really great show. It’s been great to see the equipment that’s here and see who’s differentiating across various areas,” said Michaela Belling, business development director at Plexus in Neenah, Wisconsin.
Exhibitors, meanwhile, 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 of Coesia North America. “We appreciate the opportunity to discuss with our customers face-to-face how customized solutions are helping them with greater flexibility, efficiency, and productivity.”
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.
“There is so much to take from the show,” said Grace Dover Hoffman, director of procurement at Little Spoon in New York, New York. “I have had many valuable conversations with suppliers and been inspired by events at PACK EXPO International such as the Packaging and Processing Women’s Leadership Network breakfast. It’s a great place to be for networking and new ideas.”
Events such as the PACK Challenge, sponsored by PepsiCo, and the Amazing Packaging Race, sponsored by Emerson Discrete Automation Group, allowed local students to ingenuity to conquer real-life manufacturing challenges.
The next PACK EXPO event will be the brand-new PACK EXPO Southeast, scheduled for March 10–12 at Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
More information is available online.
