Pavilions Draw A Crowd Technology pavilions abounded at this year’s show. Three pavilions made their debuts at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2005, including the Contract Packaging Pavilion, the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Pavilion and the Packaging Security Pavilion. These pavilions featured the latest contract packaging services, the newest solutions to the packaging supply chain, and the leading innovations in packaging security technology. Two features from past shows also returned: the Containers & Materials Pavilion and the Showcase of Packaging Innovations™. The pavilion, which grew 33 percent in exhibitor space over the 2003 show, highlighted all aspects of the $100+ billion packaging materials segments and featured the newest displays of plastics, resins, films, glass, metal, rubber, textiles and more. The Showcase displayed award winning packaged products from the most prominent packaging associations around the globe, including the Glass Packaging Institute (GPI), the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP), the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) and others. "The addition of these technology pavilions is an integral factor in attracting such high visitor turnout,” said Yuska. “Tradeshow attendees look to visit one single comprehensive show a year to stay on top of the newest technologies and learn about the latest industry trends. By showcasing the machinery and materials manufacturers, the contract packaging companies and the security and tracking technology exhibitors all in one location, the recent PACK EXPO Las Vegas was the site for the most cutting-edge innovations in packaging technology available today.” Education Opportunities Via Conference at PACK EXPO From an educational perspective, the Conference at PACK EXPO also delivered significant results. The Conference at PACK EXPO featured 44 packaging technology and market-focused presentations from companies such as Avery Dennison, Kraft, Molson-Coors Brewing and Nestlé. This year, 918 packaging professionals attended the Conference at PACK EXPO, making it the most widely attended forum in the industry. “The Conference at PACK EXPO continues to be the single largest educational opportunity available in the industry today. The key to its success is the dynamic, success oriented focus the educational sessions maintain,” added Yuska. “Year after year, PMMI research clearly indicates that time out of the office is extremely precious. It’s critical that attendees get the most value out of their visit to a show. The Conference at PACK EXPO delivers this value with cutting edge topics coupled with leading innovation exhibits.” International Showing at PACK EXPO Las Vegas This year's show achieved a 22% increase in international attendance with 2,773 packaging professionals from 63 different countries attending the exposition. “We’re pleased with the significant international attendee growth,” added Yuska. “The show offers unique opportunities for international attendees as PMMI partners with many agencies and government programs to support the global marketplace.” PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2005 was a participant in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Buyer Program (IBP). DOC export specialists were available for consultation and representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Foreign Trade Division, the U.S. Commercial Service and the Export-Import Bank of the United States attended the event and assisted with financing questions. My PACK EXPO™ Debut This year also saw the debut of My PACK EXPO™, an innovative planning tool that intelligently mines the show’s database of contacts, products, services and conference sessions to help packagers achieve goals faster by networking with key industry figures and getting a preview of technology that fits their needs. My PACK EXPO kiosks were situated throughout the show floor for attendees to access at any time for information on what products are being exhibited. More than 24,000 product and company searches were conducted throughout the three-day event. The My PACK EXPO software was used before and during the event to help pre-plan the visitor attendees’ trip and help make the most out of attending PACK EXPO Las Vegas. “PACK EXPO Las Vegas includes all aspects of the packaging supply chain, and with so much ground to cover, it can be challenging for attendees to see everything in three days,” says Yuska. “The My PACK EXPO feature helped guide attendees to individually relevant exhibits and conferences, maximized the time they had in Las Vegas and ensured a successful show experience.” “PMMI would like to thank all of the attendees and exhibitors who supported PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2005,” said Yuska. “We appreciate the support and look forward to seeing everyone in Chicago for PACK EXPO International as the show celebrates its 50th anniversary.”
PACK EXPO International will be held October 29-November 2, 2006 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. The show, started in 1956, will celebrate its 50th Anniversary and will be co-located with the Food Processing Machinery EXPO and the Converting & Package Printing EXPO.
The next PACK EXPO Las Vegas will be held October 15-17, 2007 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. PMMI also produces EXPO PACK México, the premier packaging show in Mexico serving the Latin American region. This show will be held June 27-30, 2006 at Centro Banamex, Mexico City, Mexico. | 
