Editor's note: This article originally appeared in the July/August 2015 issue of Food Manufacturing
Fast-changing consumer preferences require a rapid response from manufacturers, driving demands for processing and packaging technologies that yield greater flexibility, sustainability and efficiency. This fall, the destination for solutions is PACK EXPO Las Vegas (Las Vegas Convention Center; Sept. 28-30, 2015).
To help brand owners, processors, and manufacturers easily locate the solutions and suppliers they need, PACK EXPO Las Vegas includes industry-specific pavilions and features such as the Baking & Snack Break Lounge (Upper South Hall, Booth S-7427), hosted by the Biscuit and Cracker Manufacturers’ Association and the Beverage Cooler Lounge (Upper South Hall, Booth S-7429) hosted by the International Society for Beverage Technologists. That’s in addition to other show-floor features, including:
• The Brand Zone (Lower South Hall) will feature solutions to help manufacturers make strong, differentiating statements with their packaging. This pavilion will showcase the latest material and container innovations in a wide range of substrates, state-of-the-art labeling and decorating technologies, and re-sealing closures. The Brand Zone is also home to the Annual Showcase of Packaging Innovations, sponsored by Dow Chemical Company, which features an inspiring array of award-winning designs.
• The Processing Zone (Upper South Hall) will highlight front-of-line processing solutions for manufacturers in sectors including the baking and snack, beverage, meat and poultry, dairy and confectionery industries. With more than 190 exhibitors showcasing processing solutions, it’s the perfect starting place to find technologies for increasing efficiency, achieving total system integration and ensuring safety.
• The Reusable Packaging Pavilion (Lower South Hall), sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA), presents over 30 exhibitors who can help you reduce waste, cut costs, and gain chain efficiency. If you’re considering how reusable packaging can help your bottom line, start here.
In addition to its aisle of technologies, PACK EXPO Las Vegas give you access to a wide range of education on the show floor at no charge. The Innovation Stage (Booth # C-1041) presents 30-minute seminars throughout the day, with focus on breakthrough technologies and techniques with applications in a wide variety of industries. The Food Safety Summit Resource Center (Booth # S-7632), presented by the Food Safety Summit, will offer talks by subject matter experts on best practices and recent advances in areas such as HACCP, food fraud, federal and state regulations, environmental monitoring, allergens and compliance with Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
At the Center for Trends & Technology (Booth # C-4829), sponsored by Rockwell Automation and its Partner Network™, attendees can learn about the absolute latest advances that can improve production in exciting ways. The center will cover topics such as connected enterprise working environment, network connectivity, security, remote access, safety, serialization and line integration.