If popular new features and satisfied exhibitors were any indication, the third edition of PACK EXPO East proved to be its most comprehensive and successful yet.

Held April 16-18 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, the show attracted more than 6,000 attendees and 400 exhibiting companies spanning nearly 100,000 net square feet of expo space.

Launched in 2015 to provide Northeast packing and processing professionals with the opportunity to experience the latest in technology and innovative solutions; exchange ideas with leading industry suppliers; access cutting-edge education and conduct business in a targeted setting, PACK Expo East has been steadily picking up steam, according to show officials.

In 2017, the event drew in more than 5,100 attendees and 375 exhibitors to an 80,000 sq. ft. showfloor.

“We are very excited about the future of PACK EXPO East,” said Jim Pittas, president and CEO of The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI), which produces the event and represents more than 800 North American manufacturers and suppliers of equipment, components and materials along with providers of related equipment and services to the packaging and processing industry.

He continued, “We are gaining momentum on this new show with both attendees and exhibitors. Walking the show floor, it was obvious that attendees are talking about the challenges they are facing and exhibitors are providing them with solutions they are looking for.”   

Show officials also attributed the burgeoning show’s momentum to its prime regional location that places PACK EXPO East within 200 miles of one-third of U.S. consumer packaged goods companies (CPGs), including the country’s largest life science and pharmaceutical businesses.

“It is my third year coming to PACK EXPO East, and year after year, it has proven to be worthwhile,” said Sarah Leiterman, packaging engineer at Johnson & Johnson.

She continued, “(I) connected with suppliers that could provide significant support for current projects and help overcome challenges we are facing. PACK EXPO East is also conveniently located for our team. The regional show makes navigation a bit easier, especially as we seek specific solutions.” 

In addition, exhibitors and attendees enjoyed the quality time the show’s more intimate size allowed to help them gain an understanding of each other’s operations and challenges, while exhibitors were particularly pleased with the high quality of leads they obtained, according to show officials.

“Attendees at PACK EXPO East 2018 knew exactly what they wanted to see or discuss,” said Dana Greenly, packaging manager for ASCO Numatics.

She added, “These were real leads with real projects. We are looking forward to PACK EXPO East 2020.”

The show also debuted several new features, including The Forum at PACK EXPO, a new educational opportunity featuring sessions on the latest industry trends by the OpX Leadership Network, Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP), Contract Packagers Association (CPA) and PMMI Business Intelligence, while the PACK EXPO DRONE DEMO – Packaging for the Last Mile, allowed crowds to watch drones take off from the top of electric trucks and make deliveries to mock houses. Cameras mounted on the drones showed the unique drone delivery perspective as part of the interactive display. 

Lastly, the inaugural Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network’s (PPWLN) regional meeting featured an inspiring keynote address, “How to Leverage Your Self-Power from the Inside Out” delivered by Diane Wilhelm, chief engineer advanced manufacturing for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, followed by a professional development workshop.

The biennial PACK EXPO East will return to the Pennsylvania Convention Center March 3-5, 2020.