Bakers Find New Ways to Respond To Operational Demands & Consumer Trends at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

Research published by Mintel this summer described snacking as a round-the-clock habit for Americans. While at least 94 percent snack at least once a day (up from 64 percent in 2014), Millennials are apparently the grazing generation, reporting at least four snacks a day. They’re craving convenience, according to Mintel, in the form of single-serve and reclosable packages.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2015 (Las Vegas Convention Center, Sept. 28-30), owned and produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, will open up a wealth of opportunities for baking-snack brand owners to tackle trends with tools such as automation to improve productivity, flexibility and efficiency, labeling systems that enhance flexibility and sustainability, and containers and materials to preserve freshness, reduce waste and enhance branding.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas will host 30,000 attendees and over 2,000 exhibitors in more than 800,000 net square feet of exhibit space.

“In addition to focusing on consumer trends, baking-snack professionals need to be up to speed on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which has changed the way you have to approach food safety during the manufacturing process. PACK EXPO will provide access to suppliers and education that will make compliance easier,” says Jim Pittas, senior vice president, PMMI.

Start at the Beginning
Baking–snack manufacturers can start their trip around the show floor in areas like the Processing Zone (Upper South Hall), a hub for processing equipment suppliers, where they can also visit the Food Safety Summit Resource Center (Booth S-7632) for the latest on food safety issues and FSMA compliance. Organized and brought to PACK EXPO Las Vegas by the Food Safety Summit and co-sponsor GE, the Food Safety Summit Resource Center will be a central location for FSMA experts who will present educational seminars and be available for one-on-one consultations.

The Baking & Snack Break Lounge (Booth S-7427), hosted by the Biscuit & Cracker Manufacturers’ Association (B&CMA) is a key on-floor destination for strengthening connections. The beauty of this central meeting point is that bakers and snack manufacturers can network with experts and peers addressing similar trends and challenges — and find answers, notes Dave Van Laar, president, B&CMA.

“PACK EXPO is a vital part of our outreach to bakers and suppliers,” says Van Laar. “We not only provide a place for bakers to network, rest and regroup, we’ll also assist many of them in finding solutions to specific issues.”

B&CMA will host a reception for bakers and snack manufacturers at The Baking & Snack Break Lounge on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 3:30–5 p.m.

The Brand Zone (Lower South Hall), which features materials and containers that shape winning brands, is a central point for attendees looking to improve product freshness or shelf appeal. Within The Brand Zone, the Showcase of Packaging Innovations®, sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company, will display award-winning packages from competitions around the world.

Feed the Mind with Educational Opportunities 
There are plenty of opportunities to learn, too. The Center for Trends and Technology (Booth C-4829), organized by Rockwell Automation and its PartnerNetwork™, covers the newest in automation technology with displays and educational sessions. The PACK EXPO Innovation Stages (Booths C-1041, C-1045, C-1049) will showcase more than 40 educational sessions, including these:

• The Latest Snacking Trends and their Impact on Packaging Presented by Aaron Wallander, Bemis North America (Monday, Sept. 28; 2–2:30 p.m.; Booth C-1049)
• Basic Production Metrics Presented by Dave Van Laar, president, B&CMA (Monday, Sept. 28, 3–3:30 p.m.; Booth C-1041)
• Basic Project Economic Justification Presented by Dave Van Laar, president, B&CMA (Tuesday, Sept. 29, Noon–12:30 p.m.; Booth C-1041)

Entertaining Success at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 
“PACK EXPO is all about learning, doing business better and connecting with your industry,” Pittas says. “For connections and networking, you’ve got to go to PACK gives BACK. It will be a great time for a great cause.”

PACK gives BACK™ is an annual fundraiser and signature PACK EXPO event, and will feature a performance from legendary rock band Chicago. PMMI will donate ticket sale proceeds to the Fisher House Foundation, an organization that provides comfort to the families of wounded military and veterans during their stays in medical facilities, and the Nevada Military Service Alliance, which is building the state’s first Fisher House in North Las Vegas.

“With more than 40 vertical markets represented, PACK EXPO Las Vegas is the most comprehensive event of its kind this year. The industry comes here for solutions to their operational challenges, and because there’s so much breadth to the show, they have the benefit of coming to truly innovative solutions inspired by other industries,” says Pittas.

To learn more and register for PACK EXPO Las Vegas and its co-located partner show Pharma EXPO, produced in partnership by PMMI and the Institute for Pharmaceutical Engineering, visit packexpolasvegas.com. Tickets for PACK gives BACK ($100/person or $90 for groups of 10 or more) can be purchased during the registration process. PACK gives BACK is only open to registered attendees and exhibitors of PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Pharma EXPO 2015.

About PMMI
PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, represents the voice of more than 700 North American manufacturers of equipment, components and materials for processing and packaging. We work to advance a variety of industries by connecting consumer goods companies with manufacturing solutions through the world class PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, leading trade media and a wide range of resources to empower our members. The PACK EXPO trade shows unite the world of processing and packaging to advance the industries they serve: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, Pharma EXPO, PACK EXPO East, EXPO PACK México, EXPO PACK Guadalajara and ProFood Tech, launching in April 2017. PMMI Media Group connects manufacturers to the latest solutions, trends and innovations in processing and packaging year-round through brands including Packaging World, Automation World, Healthcare Packaging, Contract Packaging and Packaging + Processing OEM. PMMI Business Drivers assist members in pursuing operational excellence through workforce development initiatives, deliver actionable business intelligence on economic, market and industry trends to support members’ growth strategies, and actively connect the supply chain throughout the year. Learn more at PACKEXPO.com, PMMIMediaGroup.com and PMMI.org.