PACK EXPO East 2026 Draws Robust, Dynamic Crowd Signaling Strong Industry Growth and Investment

(Herndon, Virginia, Feb. 20, 2026) Celebrating its 10th year, PACK EXPO East returned to Philadelphia, drawing more than 7,300 attendees and 2,700 exhibitor personnel — totaling over 10,000 packaging and processing professionals — for three dynamic days of innovation, education, and business-building connections. Produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, the event (Feb. 17–19; Pennsylvania Convention Center) showcased the latest advancements in automation, smart manufacturing, sustainable materials, and AI-driven solutions shaping the industry's future.

“The energy throughout the show was exceptional,” says Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. “PACK EXPO East brings together advanced technologies and decision-makers ready to invest. The level of engagement this year underscores the strength of our industry and the demand for innovative, automation-driven solutions.”

The regional event provided attendees with three high-energy days to explore cutting-edge machinery, breakthrough materials, advanced automation, and smart manufacturing technologies transforming the industry. This setting facilitated meaningful discussions, enabling exhibitors to better understand attendees' needs and deliver tailored innovations. Attendees enjoyed seeing new technologies, innovations, materials, and working machinery on the show floor. Exhibitors were pleased with the quality of the leads they generated during the show.

“This is my second time at PACK EXPO East, and it’s incredible to see how much the show has grown — from the number of exhibitors to the amount of equipment running live on the floor. As an exhibitor, the experience has been wonderful. We’ve connected with many high-value prospects who may not have known about us before, and we’ve generated strong leads,” says Suzanne Bakiewicz, senior business development representative, SourceAmerica.

Additionally, attendees came with projects in hand, ready to source solutions. “We’ve participated in PACK EXPO East since its launch, and this year has been especially strong for us. Traffic has been steady, and what’s most exciting is that customers are arriving with active applications, even bringing sample parts, so we can start developing solutions right away. Beyond the exhibit floor, the education sessions, MaX Marketing Breakfast, and Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network Reception add real value to the overall experience,” says Stacy Johnson, vice president of business development, Hoosier Feeder.

Having decision-makers on-site made the difference for many exhibitors. “PACK EXPO East delivered exactly what we were hoping for. The foot traffic was strong throughout the show, and more importantly, the right buyers were here. We met our lead goals, which speaks to the quality of attendees. From move-in to booth services and overall exhibitor amenities, the entire experience was seamless,” says Travis Nelson, sales engineer, ParityFactory, an Advantive Company.

PACK EXPO veteran and manufacturer of conveyor parts Lisa Khoury, president, POBCO, Inc., agrees: “We’ve had great foot traffic. The conversations have been spot-on. We’re talking to the right people. They’re bringing their problems, and we’re looking forward to providing them a solution.”

Solutions for some of the industry’s top trends filled the exhibit hall. Packaging and processing professionals witnessed the benefits that technologies such as AI, automation, and flexible machinery can deliver, including improved efficiency, reduced downtime, and support for long-term growth.

Attendees came to PACK EXPO East looking for solutions. "A few of the challenges I’m looking to solve here at PACK EXPO East involve sanitation and automating our processes, since manual operations have become a bottleneck. It’s only day one, and we’ve already found a solution that I wish we could cut a PO for today. We’re coordinating a site visit after the show and are excited about the next steps. I was genuinely sold on what I saw and really appreciated the presentation at PACK EXPO East," says Ijon Stewart, maintenance engineer manager, Whole Foods Market. “PACK EXPO East is local, which makes it much easier for our team to attend. For our engineers and production managers, we have to be strategic about time away from the facilities, and PACK EXPO East gives us a clear view into what the industry has to offer and how we can bring those innovations back to our team.”

PACK EXPO East provides local brand owners with the opportunity to learn about key technologies and innovations. "We’re a startup looking for ideas on secondary packaging solutions that are cost‑efficient and offer more automation than what we’re currently doing. We heard about PACK EXPO through an email from one of the exhibitors, and since the show is right in our backyard, it made sense to attend. This is our first PACK EXPO, and there are a ton of vendors to network with, along with great education opportunities,” says Colleen Nestler, project engineer/COO, GMP Liquid Ingredients.

Education sessions are a key part of the PACK EXPO East experience. "My role is focused on sustainability, so I'm looking for opportunities to reduce materials, especially with EPR [extended producer responsibility] regulations in mind. This is my first PACK EXPO event. While equipment isn't my focus, it’s been interesting to see how the material and automation elements fit together. We plan to attend several Innovation Stage sessions to learn more, and we've also been using the PACK EXPO app to navigate the show," says Amelia Flintrop, senior purchasing manager, sustainability & innovation, Saint-Gobain.

"It’s my first time at PACK EXPO East, and I was blown away by the machine demonstrations — especially in robotics. I came in assuming these solutions would be far outside the budget for a small‑batch facility, but after speaking with the representatives, it’s clear there are options for everyone. It was absolutely worth the drive, especially with the show being so close,” says Abdiel Sanchez, assistant distiller, Trippy Goat Distillery.

Several new features successfully debuted on the show floor, including the Containers and Materials Pavilion — a dedicated destination for paperboard, glass, metal, flexible, and resealable packaging innovations supporting brand refreshes and sustainability initiatives. The Incubator Hub, presented in partnership with Ben Franklin Technology Partners, spotlighted Pennsylvania-based startups and emerging technologies shaping the next wave of industry growth. The SMB FastTrack Program continued to support small and medium-sized manufacturers by identifying exhibitors offering flexible financing, discounts, and value-added services tailored to smaller enterprises.

Education sessions were in high demand throughout PACK EXPO East, as attendees packed theaters to gain insights into the industry’s most pressing trends and challenges. Among the most well-attended was Trends and Challenges Shaping the Future of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. Based on PMMI’s latest industry report, the session examined the operational hurdles facing manufacturers and highlighted the expanding role of automation, connectivity, and data-driven equipment in driving efficiency, compliance, and long-term growth.

Two standout sessions focused on preparing the packaging industry for the switch from traditional 1D barcodes to 2D barcodes by the GS1 Sunrise 2027 deadline. One session explained how Amazon Transparency and GS1 are working together to help brands use one barcode for product tracking, anti-counterfeiting protection, and customer engagement. The second session covered the practical steps companies need to take now to make sure the change happens smoothly across the supply chain.

Networking receptions gave key groups the opportunity to relax and connect. Both the Young Professionals Networking Reception and the PPWLN Reception brought together record numbers of professionals.

“The engagement we witnessed at PACK EXPO East confirms that the industry is actively investing in new technology such as automation, digitalization, and smarter manufacturing strategies,” says Laura Thompson, vice president, trade shows, PMMI. “Our goal is to create an environment where innovation is accessible, conversations turn into partnerships, and ideas translate into real operational progress.”

An Abundance of Solutions

Up next, the most comprehensive packaging and processing show in the Americas this year, PACK EXPO International 2026, provides in-person interaction with live machinery, materials, and other products related to pharmaceutical packaging and processing. With attendees from 40+ vertical industries and 2,600 exhibitors convening, the possibilities for connection and innovation are limitless.

Held Oct. 18–21, 2026, at Chicago’s McCormick Place, PACK EXPO International brings together 48,000 attendees from around the globe and offers numerous networking and educational opportunities as well as seven show floor destinations like the Healthcare Packaging Pavilion, Food & Beverage Processing Zone, and the Containers and Materials Pavilion, showcasing cutting-edge technologies.

The show also presents a multitude of free educational stages with more than 150 sessions on the show floor, where attendees can dive into specialized topics and learn from global industry leaders. Topics range from automation and AI to regulations and supply chain management.

Learn more about PACK EXPO International 2026.

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