CHICAGO – Education initiatives coupled with advanced technology will be the hallmarks of Pack Expo International 2012 slated for Oct. 28-31. The show, touted as the largest, most comprehensive resource for packaging and processing innovation in North America, will present to meat and poultry industry stakeholders a broad spectrum of packaging solutions.

“More than 1,800 exhibitors will be showcasing packaging and processing equipment, components, materials and containers,” said Julie Ackerman, senior director, PR and Communications for PMMI. “Having this range of solutions is critical from our perspective, as it makes it easy for attendees to learn how materials and machinery work together, helping speed commercialization.” 

Pack Expo 2012 will be the largest show in a decade, with more than 46,000 attendees from around the world, Ackerman said. The show will occupy 1.1 million square feet of exhibit space. Pack Expo is launching Pack Expo Buzz, a special hub that will provide numerous tools to help attendees navigate the show and everything on offer.

“We’re adding dynamic, on-floor education to Pack Expo International, making it easier than ever for attendees to round out their show experience,” Ackerman said. “For example, Material ConneXion will feature live demonstrations of some of the advanced and sustainable materials from its global Materials Libraries.

“The company’s experts will educate attendees about the properties of the different materials, many of which will come from outside of the packaging space, and their cross-over potential.”

Market intelligence also will be part of the Pack Expo education theme at the Consumer Insights and Global Packaging Showcase, offered by Mintel, a Chicago-based market research firm. Mintel representatives will also give a series of presentations about how brand owners can meet evolving consumer demands, according to Ackerman. Presentation topics include convenience, packaging for seniors and how brands can be re-invigorated through packaging.

Additional on-floor offerings will include The Processing Zone, which focuses on front-of-the-line solutions; The Food Safety Summit Resource Center, a dedicated forum for attendees to discuss food safety challenges; The Brand Zone, located within The Showcase of Packaging Innovations sponsored by Dow Chemical Company; and the Reusable Packaging Pavilion, sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association.

Attendees can stay connected beyond the show through Pack Expo Connected Communities, a series of online forums. 

Keeping in step with election season, the Pack Expo Lecture Series will feature Dennis Miller, commentator and comedian, and James Carville, political consultant and former advisor to President Bill Clinton.

“At the end of the day, attendees at Pack Expo International 2012 will have a broad selection of features to choose from,” Ackerman said. “We’ve focused on organizing the show in a way that makes it easy for attendees to find the innovation they need and to provide resources to help them along the way.”