Our team had the privilege of attending and staffing a booth at PACK EXPO International in Chicago in November. The event featured 45,000 attendees from 40+ markets together with 2,700 exhibiting companies showcasing the latest packaging and processing solutions. This was a significant event for our team, and we had the benefit of sending staff in a variety of roles who all came back with different perspectives to share.
Joe Kolodzinski is a market leader whose primary goal in attending the show was to meet with existing clients and make new connections with others. Nathan Fraser is a project and client manager who attended PACK EXPO for the first time as a consultant to connect with his clients and gain more insight into the latest packaging and processing technologies. Here are their key takeaways from PACK EXPO 2024.
What were your overall impressions of the show this year and how it has compared to past years?
Joe Kolodzinski: PACK EXPO is known for being a large-scale event with a diverse range of exhibitors sharing an abundance of information. Attending this year’s PACK EXPO, I felt that the show returned to pre-COVID attendance levels with the halls full of activity. While it’s called PACK EXPO, the event goes beyond packaging companies, making it an exceptional resource for professionals in the food and beverage industry. It truly serves as a one-stop shop for services, technologies, and solutions for our market sector.
Nathan Fraser: I felt it was very valuable for understanding what technology is out there right now. It was also great to meet and reconnect with vendors, contractors, and competitors to get an understanding of what they and the industry as a whole are up to. As a client manager, it’s necessary for me to stay current with these things so I can make sure I am serving clients in a way that exceeds industry expectations.
What new trends or innovations did you notice at the show this year?
JK: From my perspective, more firms are expanding their capabilities, diversifying, and evolving. Mergers and acquisitions are a key trend and a critical strategy in the business world. Over the years, mergers and acquisitions have significantly broadened the range of services and solutions some companies in our industry can offer, including Mead & Hunt. As a market leader, it’s essential to stay informed on the factors that shape our market—whether it’s mergers and acquisitions, the rise of private equity investment, or other business strategies driving change in our environment.
NF: I noticed a huge presence and influence of international companies. I also noticed in conversations with others that clients appear to be taking more time to find the correct partner and equipment supplier, which may be contributing to a larger pool of partnership options, both international and domestic. I’m seeing more people open their horizons in terms of who they choose to work with and what technologies they decide to go with.
Any standout moments or highlights from the show?
JK: I had a client approach me seeking to change their packaging but unsure about the available options. Fortunately, one of our partners at the show specializes in that area. After I made an introduction, we were able to connect the client with multiple potential solutions. This type of collaboration highlights the value of events PACK EXPO. By leveraging our industry expertise and relationships, we can guide clients effectively, helping them identify the right solutions. PACK EXPO provides a unique opportunity to engage with a wide range of technology providers, all in one convenient location.
NF: To build on what Joe said, the industry is getting smarter at solving problems. When you have an issue, you’re probably not the only manufacturing plant facing that challenge. But it doesn’t mean that somebody out there hasn’t figured out how to solve it in a more cost-effective way. We are seeing new ways of approaching problems that have been around for years, and by going to events like PACK EXPO, you can see those on display. It’s nice to know you’re not out there alone with your problem and be able to connect with others who are building technologies to solve it.
Overall, attending events like PACK EXPO allows us to reaffirm and develop connections and gain first-hand insight into the current state of our industry. By leveraging our industry knowledge and relationships at these events, we become better equipped to serve our clients with innovative solutions and exceptional service.
