Pack Expo organizers are billing this year’s trade show in Las Vegas as the largest, most comprehensive edition since the event’s inception.

PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, which produces Pack Expo, anticipates 30,000 attendees and more than 2,000 exhibitors connecting at the show from Sept. 11-13 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Laura Thompson, vice president of trade shows for PMMI, said the theme for Pack Expo Las Vegas 2023 is “expect innovation.” Thompson said the event’s creators put together a program that “will provide more solutions and innovations under one roof than available anywhere else in North America this year.”

She expects dairy processors will find the entire show beneficial, with certain areas being of particular interest. Thompson called “The Processing Zone” an ideal starting point for dairy professionals. That’s where attendees can find front-of-the-line solutions, including homogenizing, heat treating, forming/sizing and coating.

“Within ‘The Processing Zone,’ visitors will discover solutions to help increase efficiency, achieve total system integration and ensure employee safety,” Thompson explained. “’The Processing Zone’ supports the integration of processing and packaging, a key function in the manufacturing environment.”

Some of the new and expanding features for the show will address pivotal trends in packaging and processing. Targeted industry pavilions will dot the 950,000 net square feet of exhibit space, covering such topics as healthcare packaging, logistics, package printing, containers and materials, reusable packaging, confectionery, and the newly expanded “Processing Zone.”

Another area expected to become a destination on the show floor is called “Sustainability Central.” That’s where attendees can find a wide-ranging examination of packaging sustainability and what it means to companies. The area will feature expert speakers and interactive content, as well as actionable, sustainable innovations in manufacturing, materials and design. What’s more, Pack Expo will use green icons throughout the tradeshow floor to spotlight sustainable solutions that are offered by exhibitors, as well as education sessions focused on sustainable practices. And at the “Sustainability Stage,” industry experts will cover a number of packaging sustainability topics, offering insights on how brands can further avoid depleting natural resources.

Elsewhere, at Pack Expo’s new “Logistics Pavilion,” attendees can discover solutions designed to capitalize on the boom in e-commerce. The logistics section of the show floor will offer answers to issues involving supply chains, warehousing, fulfillment, distribution and transportation.

Advancements in food and beverage processing equipment can be found at the “Processing Zone,” which organizers said will be 44% larger than it was at the Las Vegas event in 2021.

Throughout the event, the thousands of people at Pack Expo Las Vegas will witness machinery in action, find out what the latest suppliers have to offer and learn about state-of-the-art trends and solutions. Furthermore, with 100-plus educational sessions on deck, the experience was designed to benefit companies.

The educational portions of the event are split up into five focused areas: “Innovation Stage,” “Processing Innovation Stage,” “The Forum,” “Reusable Packaging Learning Center” and “Industry Speaks Stage.”

“Innovation Stage” is where professionals can explore new tech and find out about best practices. Presentations are formatted to be fast-paced, lasting 30 minutes each, featuring experts in the areas of robotics, automation, artificial intelligence and sustainability.

Thirty-minute presentations packed with information also are available on the “Processing Innovation Stage.” Show-goers will leave with knowledge about trends and advancements in the food and beverage processing industry. And Thompson noted 15 sessions for the stage are relevant to the dairy industry.

At “The Forum,” attendees can take part in 45-minute interactive sessions that are designed for discussing and collaborating. A presentation kicks off each session, followed by roundtables for conversations. The solutions-oriented talks will cover several topics, including digitalization, cyber security, sustainability, automation and integrating cobots into manufacturing.

“Reusable Packaging Learning Center” features details and examples of benefits, return on investment and points of consideration for companies that switched to reusables, with real-world stories coming from suppliers, subject experts and end users.

Several associations are set to take the lead on the “Industry Speaks Stage,” covering the ins and outs of what’s impacting packagers and processors.

Pack Expo attendees also can access the show’s complimentary “Pack Match” program. It gives registered end-user visitors an opportunity to have a one-on-one virtual consultation with a non-biased industry expert. The program was developed to help companies find suppliers and solutions that address their needs before they even leave to go to Pack Expo Las Vegas. Following a consultation, an attendee receives a list of exhibitors that have solutions relative to a company’s specific challenges. The consultations will run from Aug. 21 through Sept. 7.

Networking events throughout the event include sessions for young professionals, show floor receptions and a women’s leadership breakfast.

More information on the massive tradeshow, including registration details, can be found online at Pack Expo’s website.