Make PACK EXPO Work for You
- Published: September 20, 2012
With more 1,800-plus exhibitors showcasing the latest processing and packaging innovations across 1.1 million net sq ft, PACK EXPO International 2012 (October 28-31; McCormick Place, Chicago, IL) offers a dizzying array of solutions. But attendees need not be overwhelmed. PACK EXPO will provide a number of industry-specific features and dedicated pavilions to help guide visitors to the technologies and insights they need, quickly and easily. Here are a few tips to help you maximize your time at North America’s largest resource for processing and packaging innovation this year.
Start Early
Whether you plan on visiting PACK EXPO to scout out a laundry list of printing and converting equipment or plan to finalize a single purchase with an existing supplier, getting an early start is the key to efficiency.
Start by visiting Packexpo.com, where you can register (avoiding long lines on site) and reserve a hotel room. The cost of online registration is just $30 through October 8, 2012 ($60.00 thereafter). Once you’ve registered, you can immediately begin searching for exhibitors, technologies and conference sessions with your My PACK EXPO portal.
Visitors that haven’t registered for the show yet can simply click “Exhibitor Search” under the Quick Links sidebar for a whole list of solutions providers. Specialize only in confectionery applications? Looking exclusively for materials or decorating technologies? Direct links to exhibitors in The Confectionery Pavilion, The Brand Zone, The Reusable Packaging Pavilion, and The Pharmaceutical Pavilion will allow you to conveniently browse your industry or area of interest. A keyword or advanced search will let allow you to find specific items (i.e. cartoning machines, tray forming equipment, labelers, and assorted materials) quickly and easily.
Once you’ve identified the exhibitors you’d like to visit, you can use the ‘My Planner’ function to connect with sales professionals, book on-site appointments, and create a customized plan to maximize your time on the show floor.
To find and register for conference sessions, simply visit the “Education” page and search sessions by track, schedule, or keyword. Registration for educational programming is available at a cost of $99 per session through October 8, 2012, when tickets increase to $125 per session. The ticket price includes admission to the PACK EXPO show floor.
Get Social
Attendees and exhibitors can also interact via PACK EXPO Connected Communities. This social networking site allows you to prepare for the show by connecting with industry peers and solutions providers to address significant news, trends and challenges to your market. Targeted communities are specifically dedicated to the beverage, baking and snack, confectionery, and pharmaceutical industries, and a fifth community focuses on more general packaging and processing topics. The portals also enable attendees and exhibitors to stay in touch after the show.
For continuous show updates and to connect with exhibitors or industry peers, join the conversations about PACK EXPO via LinkedIn (PACK EXPO), Twitter (@PMMIorg), and Facebook (www.facebook.com/packexpo).
Follow the Signs
On-site and unsure of which suppliers will contribute to your company’s sustainability initiatives? Just look for the PACK EXPO Green logo. This logo will appear next to a supplier’s name on www.packexpo.com, in the visitor guide book and on signage at their booth to indicate that its solutions provide sustainability benefits.
Logos next to an exhibitor name on www.packexpo.com and in the exhibitor guide will also indicate whether it is part of a dedicated pavilion.
Continue the Conversation
Even after the doors to McCormick Place have closed, the My PACK EXPO portal allows attendees to close the loop with exhibitors on purchases in the months following the show. Additionally, PACK EXPO Connected Communities will remain active year-round so that attendees can continue discussions on important trends and issues long after the show has ended.
To register for PACK EXPO International 2012, visit www.packexpo.com.
