Celebrating its 10th year, PACK EXPO East returned to Philadelphia, drawing more than 7,300 attendees and 2,700 exhibitor personnel. The event saw more than 10,000 packaging and processing professionals for three dynamic days of innovation, education, and connections.

Produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, the event took place February 17-19 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. It showcased the latest advancements in automation, smart manufacturing, sustainable materials, and AI-driven solutions shaping the industry’s future.

“The energy throughout the show was exceptional,” says Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. “PACK EXPO East brings together advanced technologies and decision-makers ready to invest. The level of engagement this year underscores the strength of our industry and the demand for innovative, automation-driven solutions.”

The regional event provided attendees with three high-energy days to explore cutting-edge machinery, breakthrough materials, advanced automation, and smart manufacturing technologies transforming the industry. This setting facilitated meaningful discussions, enabling exhibitors to better understand attendees’ needs and deliver solutions.

“This is my second time at PACK EXPO East, and it’s incredible to see how much the show has grown — from the number of exhibitors to the amount of equipment running live on the floor. As an exhibitor, the experience has been wonderful. We’ve connected with many high-value prospects who may not have known about us before, and we’ve generated strong leads,” says Suzanne Bakiewicz, senior business development representative, SourceAmerica.

Sourcing solutions

Additionally, attendees came with projects in hand, ready to source solutions. “We’ve participated in PACK EXPO East since its launch, and this year has been especially strong for us. Traffic has been steady, and what’s most exciting is that customers are arriving with active applications, even bringing sample parts, so we can start developing solutions right away. Beyond the exhibit floor, the education sessions, MaX Marketing Breakfast, and Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network Reception, add real value to the overall experience,” says Stacy Johnson, vice president of business development, Hoosier Feeder.

Having decision-makers on-site made the difference for many exhibitors. “PACK EXPO East delivered exactly what we were hoping for. The foot traffic was strong throughout the show, and more importantly, the right buyers were here. We met our lead goals, which speaks to the quality of attendees. From move-in to booth services and overall exhibitor amenities, the entire experience was seamless,” says Travis Nelson, sales engineer, ParityFactory, an Advantive Company.

PACK EXPO veteran and manufacturer of conveyor parts Lisa Khoury, president, POBCO, Inc., agrees. She says, “We’ve had great foot traffic. The conversations have been spot-on, and we’re talking to the right people. They’re bringing their problems, and we’re looking forward to providing them a solution.”

Solutions for some of the industry’s top trends filled the exhibit hall. Packaging and processing professionals witnessed the benefits that technologies such as AI, automation, and flexible machinery can deliver, including improved efficiency, reduced downtime, and support for long-term growth.

Attendees came to PACK EXPO East looking for solutions. “A few of the challenges I’m looking to solve here at PACK EXPO East involve sanitation and automating our processes, since manual operations have become a bottleneck. It’s only day one, and we’ve already found a solution that I wish we could cut a PO for today. We’re coordinating a site visit after the show and are excited about the next steps. I was genuinely sold on what I saw and really appreciated the presentation at PACK EXPO East,” says Ijon Stewart, maintenance engineer manager, Whole Foods Market.

Educations sessions and new features

Education sessions are a key part of the PACK EXPO East experience. “My role is focused on sustainability, so I’m looking for opportunities to reduce materials, especially with EPR [extended producer responsibility] regulations in mind. This is my first PACK EXPO event. While equipment isn’t my focus, it’s been interesting to see how the material and automation elements fit together. We plan to attend several Innovation Stage sessions to learn more, and we’ve also been using the PACK EXPO app to navigate the show,” says Amelia Flintrop, senior purchasing manager, sustainability and innovation, Saint-Gobain.

Several new features successfully debuted on the show floor, including the Containers and Materials Pavilion — a dedicated destination for paperboard, glass, metal, flexible, and resealable packaging innovations supporting brand refreshes and sustainability initiatives. The Incubator Hub, presented in partnership with Ben Franklin Technology Partners, spotlighted Pennsylvania-based startups and emerging technologies shaping the next wave of industry growth. The SMB FastTrack Program continued to support small and medium-sized manufacturers by identifying exhibitors offering flexible financing, discounts, and value-added services tailored to smaller enterprises.

“The engagement we witnessed at PACK EXPO East confirms that the industry is actively investing in new technology such as automation, digitalization, and smarter manufacturing strategies,” says Laura Thompson, vice president, trade shows, PMMI. “Our goal is to create an environment where innovation is accessible, conversations turn into partnerships, and ideas translate into real operational progress.”