Stay informed and inspired with the latest insights from PMMI’s Young Professionals Network. Explore articles on leadership, career growth, industry trends, networking, and professional development designed to help emerging leaders thrive in the packaging and processing industry.
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.
That skill is often called "managing up," and it tends to get a bad reputation. In reality, it's much simpler than office politics: it's making it easy for the people around you to make good decisions with the information you have.
Ambition is a tremendous asset, especially in the fast-paced packaging and processing industry. But without the right mindset, ambition can slowly turn into exhaustion.
Some of the most influential people in any organization aren't managers at all - they're the employees others naturally turn to for ideas, guidance, and support. Leadership isn't defined by your position on the organizational chart. It's defined by the impact you have on the people around you.
When most people think about career growth, they picture promotions, new job titles, or moving into management. While those milestones are certainly worth celebrating, one of the smartest investments you can make in your career often flies under the radar: cross-training.
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