PACK EXPO shows

PACK EXPO Shows: Key Details and Which Ones to Exhibit At

Companies specializing in the packaging and processing industries tend to have a pretty busy trade show calendar. One series of conventions that should be at the top of the priority list each year is the PACK EXPO events presented by The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI). With a total of six trade shows across North America, though, it can be difficult to determine which one(s) will be the most lucrative for your unique business.

If your marketing team is crunching the numbers to figure out where to allocate its convention dollars, it’s time to learn about each of the options. And since the PACK EXPO shows take place every two years, there’s plenty of time to plan.

The Biggest PACK EXPO Shows

When a trade show professional thinks of PACK EXPO, chances are one of two events comes to mind: either the Las Vegas event or PACK EXPO International, which takes place in Chicago. It’s no wonder why these conventions have great brand recognition, as they’re two of the largest trade shows in the United States. They’re staggered every year, and many exhibitors choose to have a presence at each one.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas

In odd-numbered years, exhibitors dedicate some of their marketing budgets to PACK EXPO Las Vegas. The show boasts all sorts of impressive stats, such as:

• 35,000 attendees
• Approximately 71% of attendees make or influence purchasing decisions
• More than 40 vertical industries are represented
• About 80% of the industries’ top brands exhibit and/or attend

The show’s attendees represent everything from food and beverage manufacturers to household and automotive products to the life sciences and personal care industries. The convention fills up virtually every square foot of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

PACK EXPO International in Chicago

Each even-numbered year, Chicago welcomes PACK EXPO International. This convention is absolutely massive (its 2024 event welcomed nearly 48,000 attendees) and, as its name suggests, hosts representatives from around the globe. About 2,700 exhibitors sprawl across 1.3 million square feet of exhibit space throughout Chicago’s McCormick Place, so competition for attendees’ attention runs quite high. If this size of show isn’t quite your speed, don’t worry—you have several other smaller options.

Smaller But Lucrative Conventions

The large PACK EXPO shows in Las Vegas and Chicago aren’t right for every exhibitor. Fortunately, there are four other options, as PMMI puts on events with the same two-year rotating schedule that might fit your company’s needs and goals a little better.

Smaller PACK EXPO Shows in the United States

In odd-numbered years, consider exhibiting at PACK EXPO Southeast at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. This show, which takes place in the Spring, draws 450 exhibitors and 7,000 attendees. The Southeast is home to huge company headquarters in the aerospace, computer, electronic, personal care, and food and beverage industries, and each is heavily represented.

Another option is PACK EXPO East. You can rent booth space at this event in even-numbered years. Hosted at Philadelphia’s Philadelphia Convention Center, this trade show is a little bigger than its Southeastern sibling, boasting 500 exhibitors and 8,000 visitors. Buyers from large regional industries such as food and beverage, life sciences, and cosmetics and personal care attend this convention.

Mexico-Based Shows

PMMI also organizes a pair of trade shows in Mexico. Travel to Jalisco in the summer of odd-numbered years for EXPO PACK Guadalajara, where you’ll be among 700 exhibitors vying for the attention of 17,000 attendees. This event has been growing over the decades and often showcases exhibitors inside new pavilions. The most heavily drawn industries include food and beverage manufacturing, life sciences, and cosmetics and personal care.

The larger of the two PACK EXPO shows in the Central American country takes place in the capital: PACK EXPO México in Mexico City. With 20,000 attendees visiting as many as 700 exhibits, you’ll be able to show off your innovations in automation, packaging equipment and materials, and the food and beverage field.

Determining Which PACK EXPO Shows are Right for Your Company

So, which PACK EXPO shows should you exhibit at? It really depends on a number of factors. Here are a few things to consider:

• Geographical location. If you do most of your business in one of the PACK EXPO show regions, gravitate toward those conventions. You’ll be able to meet with more existing and prospective customers and save some money on travel expenses.
• Trade show budget. When you calculate your trade show budget, you’ll need to assess costs like booth space rental, on-site services, travel fees, and of course, your actual trade show exhibit. Some of the PACK EXPO shows might be less expensive for you than others.
• Target audience. You know your target audience better than anyone. Find out which shows your ideal customers are attending and prioritize the events that’ll put you in front of the most prospects.
• Current brand recognition. The Las Vegas and Chicago PACK EXPO shows are absolutely enormous, and smaller or first-time exhibitors might have a hard time standing out among huge brands and exhibits. If you’re just breaking onto the trade show scene, it might be better to start with one of the smaller shows in Atlanta, Philadelphia, or Mexico.

Keep in mind that both domestic and international exhibiting can be a bit challenging and stressful. Whichever trade shows you decide are right for your company, the best move is always to partner with the experts. 

We’re the Gold Standard in PACK EXPO Shows and Exhibits

You need a team of talented, experienced professionals on your side to make a great impression at PACK EXPO shows. Our team has years of experience in these events as well as conventions across the globe, and we’ll be your turnkey trade show partners from exhibit design all the way through on-site logistics.

Connect with us today to learn how we can help you thrive at PACK EXPO!

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Product and Service Categories on Display 

• Bagging, Pouching, and Wrapping Equipment  

• Cartoning, Multipacking, and Case Packing 

• Coding, Labeling, Printing, and Reading Equipment  

• E-Commerce  

• Filling, Capping, and Closing 

• Material Handling and Warehousing 

• Plant & Warehouse Infrastructure and Operations  

• Robot and End-of-Arm Tooling Manufacturers  

• Sustainability  

PACK EXPO Attendees Can Expect 

• A huge show floor with 2,500 exhibitors  

• Over 150 free informational and educational sessions across multiple show floor stages  

• Networking opportunities with industry professionals  

PACK EXPO Exhibitors Can Expect  

• Access to 45,000 attendees  

• Enhanced brand awareness 

• The opportunity to showcase new products and services 

PACK EXPO Displays and Exhibit Services from Metro Exhibits 

Companies who exhibit at PACK EXPO in Chicago, IL use Metro Exhibits for their trade show booth needs. Our highly experienced team handles any and every detail. We design, fabricate, rent and ship any size display, along with the full array of wrap-around trade show services, giving you end-to-end peace of mind so you can focus on your trip and your presentation.  

Pre-Show Trade Show Services at PACK EXPO 

• Trade show booth design  

• Trade show exhibit fabrication  

• Trade show booth rentals  

• Project management  

• Floorplan and manual procurement  

• Trade show logistics  

• Venue and labor coordination  

• Audiovisual, electrical, and food and beverage management  

• Paperwork and contract management  

On-Site Trade Show Display Services at PACK EXPO 

• Shipping 

• Installation/Dismantle  

• On-Site Supervision  

• Show Services Coordination 

• Material Handling/Drayage  

Post-Show Trade Show Services for PACK EXPO 

• Shipping 

• Storage  

• Lead Retrieval  

• Cost Reconciliation  

Contact us today for more information.