Landing at Chicago’s McCormick Place on October 23, PACK EXPO International offers four days of packaging technology, materials, inspiration, and more. Between all the exhibits, educational sessions, and networking opportunities, attendees might have trouble fitting in everything they want to do.

However, Jim Pittas, president and CEO of organizer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, advises that the conference is worth the time and effort.

“It is vital for the packaging and processing industries to come together and share innovations, connect with colleagues, hear from experts, and see machinery in action,” says Pittas. “PACK EXPO International 2022 is the most efficient and effective way to do it all. No other event this year will showcase entire production line solutions and offer attendees everything needed to compete in a changing marketplace.”

Even snack and bakery professionals who are repeat visitors to the PACK EXPO show floor will find new things to see and experience. Among the more than 2,000 exhibitors stretched over 1.2 million net square feet of floor space are a range of new show features:

• PACK to the Future Exhibit: This interactive program spotlights the importance of packaging processing through history, and the impact it likely will have in the future.
• PACK Match: This service gives attendees customized guidance with expert advisors that enables them to connect with the right suppliers.
• Emerging Brands Summit: This one-day program (aimed at founders and leaders of startups looking to scale their brand) features educational content, tabletop exhibits, and knowledgeable advisors.
• PACK Challenge: Sponsored by PepsiCo, this competition matches high school teams against each other in a building challenge, with the winning school taking home a $6,000 prize.
• Processing Innovation Stage: Part of the popular Processing Zone, this feature spotlights the latest breakthroughs in processing.
• Industry Speaks Stage: Here, attendees will witness expert sessions from the PACK EXPO Partner Program, taking on the hottest topics and trends.
• Logistics Pavilion: The latest addition to the specialized sections of the floor, this pavilion focuses on targeted supply-chain solutions, including warehousing, fulfillment, distribution logistics services, and transportation providers.

Among the returning features at PACK EXPO International 2022:

• The Innovation Stages: This area on the show floor offers quick presentations on innovative technologies and techniques, taking on a range of industry-specific issues.
• The Forum: Here attendees can enjoy interactive sessions, such as intimate group discussions and Q&A sessions.
• The Amazing Packaging Race. This dynamic, educational event (sponsored by Emerson) pits teams of college students against each other on a scavenger hunt around the exhibits of participating companies.
• CareerLink Live @ PACK EXPO: This feature enables students and veterans to meet up with PMMI members and consumer packaged goods (CPG) to talk about career opportunities.
• Technology Excellence Awards: This program salutes the most innovative technologies to make their PACK EXPO debut at this year’s event; attendees are invited to vote onsite using the show app.

In addition, the annual PACK GIVES BACK event (sponsored by Rockwell Automation) is shaking things up for 2022. The main attraction of the ticketed event, which benefits the PMMI Foundation, is a rock concert headlined by Styx, known for hits like “Come Sail Away” and “Renegade.” After the show, the Emerging Leaders Network will host an evening event for young professionals at Punchbowl Social in downtown Chicago.

For more information on PACK EXPO International or to register, head to packexpointernational.com. SF&WB

We are PACKAGING SOLUTIONS. FOCKE & Co. specializes in tailor-made end-of-line packaging solutions, featuring gentle product handling for delicate products, such as snack food and bakery products.

With the HFP® Base series, FOCKE has come up with a solution to supersede manual packaging processes within the snack food industry. With its footprint, it meets the industry’s special requirements and fits perfectly into typical space of snack food packing lines. Simple and ergonomic to operate within the production plant, the HFP® Base is expert at packing bags containing snacks into RSC, HSC, or various tray styles.

FOCKE & CO.

www.focke.com
Booth #N-5921

The Interceptor DF uses a simultaneous multi-frequency operation that effectively processes the transmission and reception of multiple frequencies continuously over a broad spectrum. Developed with Divergent Field technology, it's the world's first metal detector to use multiple field directions. This technology dramatically improves the detection of ultra-thin contaminants often encountered in processing lines, significantly improving detection capabilities.

Learn more about how the Interceptor DF Metal Detector is valuable to your manufacturing line by visiting Booth #S-1752 at PACK EXPO International, October 23-26.

FORTRESS TECHNOLOGY INC.

www.fortresstechnology.com
Booth #S-1752

Manufacturing drum motors for belt conveyor applications since 1985, VDG ensures product quality, fast delivery, and exceptional customer support by using cutting-edge production technology, automation, and in-house R&D.

The SSV Drum Motor is the most hygienic conveyor drive solution for food processing belt conveyors. It features an IP69K sealing system that withstands 3,000 psi washdown pressure, drives modular conveyor belts without using sprockets, and eliminates crevices that trap food by-products, reducing washdown time and water usage by 50%.

Visit PACK EXPO Booth #S-3566 to see VDG’s new patented SSV-XP Drum Motor with a removeable profiled sleeve. This drum motor design drives different styles of modular conveyor belts by simply exchanging the sleeve to match the desired belt profile without changing the entire drum motor. VDG will also showcase the IntelliDrive™, a new synchronous permanent magnet (PM) drum motor that delivers 40% increased electrical efficiency and an increase in electric motor lifespan.

VDG (VAN DER GRAAF)

www.vandergraaf.com
Booth #S-3566