The Las Vegas Convention Center this week played host to the largest edition of PACK EXPO Las Vegas in its 30-year history, as the packaging and processing industry convened to showcase and explore next-generation technologies.
Produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, the event gathered more than 30,000 attendees and 20,000 exhibitor personnel, drawing a total of 50,000 professionals. Over 2,300 exhibitors filled a record-breaking one million net square feet of space across four halls, underscoring the scale of the sector’s innovation push.
“The scale and energy of PACK EXPO Las Vegas this year reflect how fast our industry is advancing,” said Jim Pittas, president & CEO of PMMI. “From AI and robotics to next-generation sustainability, the technologies on display aren’t just meeting today’s needs, they’re driving the growth, efficiency, and innovation that will define packaging and processing for the next 30 years.”
Industry Perspectives
Attendees spanned more than 40 vertical markets, from food and beverage to pharmaceuticals and personal care. For many, the show offered both inspiration and concrete solutions.
Randall Hopkins, a first-time attendee and maintenance technician at East West Tea Co. LLC, remarked: “At PACK EXPO Las Vegas, we are discovering solutions we didn’t even know existed. The show provides so much inspiration that could improve our operations.”
For industry veterans, the event remained a vital benchmark. “We’re always seeking improvements, and value connecting with industry experts at PACK EXPO,” said Tedd Guttmann, plant manager at Sargento Foods. “It’s interesting to observe technologies in other sectors, like pharma, for potential application in our own industry. Having attended for a long time, the show is a great way to gauge shifts in the industry.”
Sustainability was a recurring theme across exhibits and dedicated programming. “As candy producers, we have different clients with different needs and challenges, like wrapping, PET packaging, and twist wrappers,” said Carly Underhill, new product development coordinator at Quality Candy. “We’re also exploring formats that are more environmentally friendly. The sustainability features at the show, along with the vast array of exhibitors all in one place, have been hugely beneficial.”
Ali Slavens, senior packaging manager at Curology, highlighted the evolving perspective on environmental goals. “Show features like Sustainability Central have been especially insightful. It’s been interesting to see how the industry’s definition of sustainability has evolved and apply those learnings to our own thinking.” She added that direct engagement with exhibitors offered unique value: “Meeting people face-to-face at PACK EXPO helps gauge customer service in a way you just can’t get from emails or cold calls.”
Exhibitor Highlights
Exhibitors echoed the positive sentiment, citing strong returns from the show floor. “This is our first time exhibiting at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, and it’s been a great show — based on the turnout, the energy, and the conversations,” said Lindsay Bosnjak, director of marketing at Nexeo Plastics.
Danilo Fantini, sales area manager at Zambelli Packaging, confirmed: “We’ve received a lot of leads and spoken to many customers over the past two days. This show along with PACK EXPO International is always on our calendar. They are the only shows we do in the U.S., which is our main market.”
“PACK EXPO is the industry-leading show in North America. It’s where we meet our customers, see new faces, and spend time with our colleagues and friends,” said Jonathan Titterton, CEO of R.A. Jones and Coesia North America. He noted that the company marked its 120-year anniversary during the event and was “in the middle of negotiating a sale at the show.”
Alana Brown, events manager at Syntegon, underlined the long-term value of the show: “We’ve been exhibiting at PACK EXPO Las Vegas all 30 years that the show has been around. This year, we had an awesome first day where we saw heavy booth traffic, but the big highlight was securing three orders.”
Beyond the Show Floor
In addition to the exhibits, PACK EXPO featured more than 100 free educational sessions on topics ranging from tariffs to automation and workforce challenges.
“The power of PACK EXPO isn’t just on the show floor — it’s in the conversations and insights shared through our education and networking events,” said Laura Thompson, vice president of trade shows at PMMI. She pointed to initiatives such as the Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network Breakfast and the Young Professionals Networking Reception as critical for “knowledge, connections, and inspiration.”
Looking Ahead
PMMI announced that its next major event will be PACK EXPO East 2026, scheduled for February 17–19 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. With 500 exhibitors and 125,000 square feet of exhibit space, the show will offer regional access to technologies, free educational sessions, and networking opportunities tailored to East Coast manufacturers.
