PACK EXPO International represents the foremost and most comprehensive trade show for the packaging and processing industry. The overall event is presented by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, and occurs biennially in Chicago, Illinois, at McCormick Place.
The shows attract thousands of people in the packaging and processing market composed of end-users, suppliers, and manufacturers of packaging and processing technology. The event is to learn about new solutions, innovations, and technology.
More than 40 sectors are represented from food and beverage, life sciences, household products and chemicals, to cosmetics and personal care.
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When and Where this Event is Held?
The Expo occurs biennially in the fall and consistently occurs at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. The last trade show was held on November 3-6, 2024 and the next trade show, PACK EXPO International 2026, is scheduled to happen on October 18-21, 2026.
Event Activities and Content
Although full details for PACK EXPO International 2026 will be shared later on a timely basis before the event, this exposition will presumably be filled with activities aimed at advancing your industry, just like in previous years.
Technology and Product Innovations Expo
The Expo will feature over 2600 exhibitors, among whom can expect to see the latest technologies and solutions from the packaging and processing industry. Visitors will see a variety of live demonstrations, the latest machinery in packaging and processing machinery; automation and robotics that will leave them in awe.
The industry innovations on display will focus on solutions that can improve productivity, sustainability, and efficiency, including supply chain and track & trace technology.
There are also industry-specific zones. The Expo will include pavilions that focus on a specific area of the expansion of packaging – such as logistics; packaging for healthcare; printing for packaging; and packaging for sustainability; therefore, visitors can compare solutions to solve challenges specific to their industry.
Education and Learning
PACK EXPO International offers free educational programs across several stages. For example, the Innovation Stage includes brief, 30-minute sessions led by exhibitors. Each session will focus on technology innovation, applications, and industry successes. There is also a Food and Beverage Processing Innovation Stage, which is a session for food and beverage manufacturers on technology innovation in processing. Next is the Industry Speaks Stage where leaders from PACK EXPO partner associations provide their thoughts on factors, trends, and issues impacting vertical markets. Lastly, in addition to these stages, there is the Reusable Packaging Learning Center forum, which has resources covering reusable packaging and its benefits and practices.
Professional Networking
48,000 professionals from around the globe will meet at the event to connect and share ideas, and develop business partnerships. There will be professionals from over 40 industries present, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and consumer packaged goods. The event will produce business partnerships that can enhance and transform businesses.
2024 Highlights
At PACK EXPO International 2024 the event reached record attendance at the largest PACK EXPO event in history. There were 48,000 attendees plus a total of 29,500 exhibiting company staff, to total 77,500 attendees.
There were a record 2,700 exhibited companies which is a 24% increase from the last event in 2022. The net exhibition square footage is 1.32 million which is the largest event in the 2024 McCormick Place Events.
The event was focused on robotics and AI-powered operation solutions for labor shortages and efficiency. Sustainability and innovative solutions were on display in a variety of ways, including recycled materials (PCR), paper-based materials and reusable packaging.
The event also marks the emergence of intelligent packaging technology to understand the growing demands of consumers and new regulations. For example, the demand for the right-sized box and transitioning from single-use rigid containers to multi-use flexible pouches is packaging’s solution to improving the packaging value chain.
Highlights of PACK EXPO International 2026
Expo 2026 is expected to expand its discussion of what’s next. PMMI, which operates PACK EXPO, announced that the 2026 event would prepare a section on responding to disruptive economic influencers (trade imbalances, tariffs, etc.) that will include ways that industry can adapt and thrive.
Sustainability innovation continues to be a key area of focus, with the 2026 event highlighted reusable solutions, sustainable materials, and modular packaging.
The event organizers will certainly cover specialized packaging solutions for e-commerce, and in fact this has been highlighted due to the rapid growth of ecommerce.
The 2026 show will also provide deeper strategic insights and more advanced solutions, especially with respect to recent challenges related to economic issues, sustainability pressures, and technological advances.
The 2026 event will include live, full-scale machines doing demonstrations and also demonstrating the latest in robotics and automation. There will be plenty of new packaging for attendees to try out on the floor. As a growing trend, the use of AI in packaging and processing technology will also be featured more prominently at PACK EXPO International-Chicago 2026.