By Camille Corr Chism, Owner and Principal, Indigo Packaging Consulting, LLC - www.c2consultingassociates.com

This year, I attended PACK EXPO Las Vegas for the first time.  Previously, I attended PACK EXPO at the McCormick Center in Chicago, so it was great to see the changes and trends.  I wanted to make the most of my time and made it a very productive, three-day whirlwind.

The first thing I noticed was the significant and much-embraced emphasis on sustainability.  I spent most of my time in the Containers and Materials Pavilion, focusing on new materials and technology.  Biodegradable packaging had a strong presence.  It was exciting to see materials, which were our prototypes and concepts when I worked at HAVI 30 years ago, gaining traction for widespread commercial success.

E-Commerce was another area that drew me in. Sealed Air displayed equipment developed to meet e-commerce trends and customer requirements.  The packaging for this industry has made great strides over the last 20 years.  I look back at my time at UPS at the onset of e-commerce and it is impressive to compare and contrast the level of knowledge consumers and producers have regarding the small parcel shipping environment and how to properly protect products.

Returnable packaging will always have a special place in my heart.  I attended a panel session in the Returnable Packaging Forum – Asset Technologies for Reusable Packaging.  It was exciting to see the progression over the last 10 years in the number of companies acknowledging the importance of returnables and asset tracking.  Industries such as automotive, pharma, retail and produce are well established with use of this technology. Other industries are recognizing the benefits, following suit and beginning to embrace the use and tracking of returnable containers.  There is a proliferation in the types of technology available and how the technology is being applied to meet the needs of various industries.

Other highlights include:

• The Steve Miller Band at PACK gives Back – a great concert for a great cause.
• Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network Breakfast – inspirational and motivational.
• Vision 2025 Focus Group session on the RFP process – thought-provoking and forward thinking.

I volunteered to work a couple of shifts at the IoPP booth, which I recommend members to do.  It was a great chance to catch up with colleagues from the past and to meet many interesting people that have as much love and enthusiasm for the packaging industry as me.

Overall, I had a fantastic time at PACK EXPO Las Vegas; walking the show, connecting with friends, making new contacts, getting a dose of new technology and always learning – it was definitely worth a few sore muscles!