PACK EXPO International 2026 will offer more than 150 free educational sessions addressing automation, sustainability, food safety and operational efficiency, organiser PMMI has announced.
The programme will run on the exhibition floor at McCormick Place, Chicago, from 18 to 21 October, across five destinations: Innovation Stage, Food & Beverage Processing Innovation Stage, Industry Speaks, Sustainability Central and the Reusable Packaging Learning Center.
Innovation Stage will comprise three stages hosting 30-minute sessions. Topics include AI-driven planning for tariffs and supply chain volatility, end-of-line automation to address labour shortages, and connected industrial operations.
Industry Speaks will feature contributors from the event’s partner organisations and companies including Amazon and Conagra Brands. Sessions will examine subjects such as unit-level serialisation, robotics and collaboration between equipment suppliers and consumer goods manufacturers.
“PACK EXPO International gives attendees a unique opportunity to see the latest technologies in action while learning directly from the experts driving our industry forward,” said Laura Thompson, vice president, trade shows, at PMMI.
“With more than 150 free sessions taking place right on the show floor, attendees can gain practical insights on the trends and challenges impacting their businesses today and walk away with ideas they can put into action.”
Sustainability Central will address packaging design and extended producer responsibility, while the Reusable Packaging Learning Center will examine reusable systems in automated supply chains and pharmaceutical distribution.
The Food & Beverage Processing Innovation Stage will cover food safety, high-pressure pasteurisation, cleaning and other processing developments.
Sessions relevant to small and medium-sized businesses will carry an SMB Friendly logo, while sustainability sessions will be identified by the PACK EXPO Green logo.
PMMI expects 48,000 attendees and more than 2,700 exhibitors across 1.3 million net square feet of exhibition space.
