PACK EXPO International returns to McCormick Place in Chicago October 18–21, 2026, and if it's your first time, the scale can be humbling. More than 2,700 exhibitors, five exhibition halls spanning 1.3 million net square feet, live equipment demos, and over 150 free education sessions running throughout the four-day event.
The good news is that a few hours of planning changes everything. Here's how to make the show work for your career.
- Build your plan in My Show Planner. This is where you search the exhibitor and session directory, save favorites, schedule appointments in advance, and get personalized recommendations based on your interests. There's also a "Plan My Smartest Route" feature that maps the most efficient path through the halls. Everything syncs to the mobile app, so your plan travels with you.
- Make two lists: must-see and nice-to-see. Depending on how long your conversations run, you can realistically expect to connect with around 50 exhibitors. Knowing which ones actually matter keeps you from wandering. And don't overschedule. Leave room to walk the floor, stumble onto new technology, and sit in on free education sessions. View all exhibitors and begin narrowing down your search now.
- Take advantage of free education. The Innovation Stage, Food & Beverage Processing Innovation Stage, Sustainability Central, and Industry Speaks sessions run throughout the show at no extra cost. For someone early in their career, these are one of the fastest ways to get up to speed on where the industry is heading.
- If it's your first show, use the First-Time Attendee Lounge. Located in South Building, Room S-102, it offers seating, refreshments, charging stations, and show staff who can help you find exhibitors and build a plan. There's also a daily session, "Navigate the Show Like a Pro," Sunday through Tuesday from 8:30 to 9:30 am, plus a networking breakfast on Monday, October 19. Use this site to help guide you through your first PACK EXPO International.
- RSVP for the Young Professionals Networking Reception. Hosted by PMMI's Young Professionals Network, this year's reception takes place Sunday, October 18, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm at the Game Room inside the historic Chicago Athletic Association. It's a relaxed setting for connecting with peers across the industry — but space is limited, a PACK EXPO badge is required for entry, and the event is 21+. Register now!
- Let your badge do the networking. Your badge works as a digital business card where exhibitors scan it to connect. After the show, you'll receive a Digital Backpack with a list of the exhibitors you visited, sessions you attended, and literature you collected. You'll also get a booth scan report the Monday after the show, which makes follow-up far easier than sorting through a stack of business cards.
- Follow up within a week. The conversations you have on the floor only turn into relationships if you act on them. Send a short LinkedIn note or email while the context is still fresh, and mention something specific you discussed.
PACK EXPO International isn't just a place to look at machinery. It's four days of concentrated access to the people building the future of packaging and processing, and very few career investments deliver more per hour. Show up with a plan, stay curious, and leave room for the conversations you didn't schedule.
Register today at www.packexpointernational.com.
