The floor of McCormick Place will buzz with the latest automation and machinery in action this November as more than 50,000 industry professionals are expected to turn out for the 2016 installment of PACK EXPO International, an event showcasing the latest innovations and trends in the processing and packaging industries. Scheduled for Nov. 6-9 in Chicago, this year’s event, produced by PMMI, is expected to include 2,300 exhibiting companies covering 1.2 million net square feet of exhibit space.

Truly a global event, the show is anticipated to draw more than 7,000 international buyers representing over 130 countries.

Attendees of PACK EXPO will find technologies for virtually every market in the food and beverage industry including: baking and snacks; beverage, confectionery, dairy, fresh produce, fruit and vegetables; grain, mill and cereal; meat, poultry and seafood; and prepared foods. The show offers attendees the chance to see technologies in motion, network with packaging suppliers, explore technology for their industry and get ideas from other markets.

But the event isn’t just about showing off the latest technology. During the week, PACK EXPO will be host to more than 80 educational sessions. First debuted in 2012, this year’s Innovation Stage will be the largest and most robust since its inception. Comprised of three stages spread across the floor on the Grand Concourse, these educational sessions will address topics such as: the Internet of Things, machinery safety, sustainability, flexible manufacturing systems, smart packaging, global packaging trends, digital print technology, multipack solutions, ultrasonic technology and many more. All sessions are 30-minutes long and free to attend.

The educational Food Safety Summit Resource Center will return to the show for its sixth year. The center will offer free 30-minute presentations and one-on-one consultations from leading subject matter experts to address industry-wide food safety issues. Topics covered will include the latest breakthroughs and best practices in food production, storage and distribution, as well as recent advances applying to the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

“Consumers want to know what is going into their food, and that it is produced in a way that makes it safe to consume,” says Chuck Yuska, president and CEO, PMMI. “The Food Safety Summit Resource Center provides necessary education to keep companies informed about the latest technologies and ideas surrounding safe food production, and how to adhere to tightening federal regulations.”

The annual PACK gives BACK fundraising event will benefit No Greater Sacrifice—an organization that supports children of fallen and wounded US service members—and feature an appearance by magicians and entertainers Penn and Teller. The event will be held on Monday, Nov. 7, in the Grand Ballroom in the South Building. Tickets are $75.

Several show floor pavilions will also provide valuable education experiences:

• The Reusables Learning Center, where attendees can learn about integrating reusables into the supply chain, thus maximizing profits and sustainability simultaneously.
• The Beverage Cooler Lounge, a networking and learning center for the beverage industry.
• The Baking & Snack Break Lounge, where attendees from the baking and snack industry can gather and meet with subject matter experts.
• The Candy Bar Lounge, a dedicated area for attendees in the confectionery industry to recharge, network and gather timely industry information.
• The Showcase of Packaging Innovations, where attendees from every vertical can view award-winning packaging from around the globe.

Attendees new to the show will want to take advantage of the First Timers’ Lounge located in the South Building while utilizing the “My Show Planner” tool to help search exhibitors and products, create an agenda and explore educational sessions. The PACK EXPO mobile app will also include all the features of the planner with added navigation of the show floor as well as news, updates and reminders.

PACK EXPO is co-located with Pharma EXPO 2016, a trade show featuring more than 250 exhibitors displaying solutions for the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical lifecycles.