Industry News

PACK EXPO International 2026 brings packaging innovation to Chicago

The October 18-21 event will feature more than 2,700 exhibitors, including a dedicated pavilion for package printing, labeling, converting and variable-data technologies.

PACK EXPO International 2026 will take place October 18-21 at McCormick Place in Chicago, bringing together more than 2,700 exhibitors across 1.3 million net square feet of exhibit space.

Produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, the biennial event will feature machinery, materials, automation and technology serving more than 40 markets. Exhibits will span packaging and processing equipment, robotics, digitalization, sustainability and related manufacturing technologies.

For label and packaging professionals, the PACKage Printing Pavilion in the West Building will provide a dedicated destination for digital printing, converting, coding, marking, labeling and variable-data technologies. The nearby Containers and Materials Pavilion will feature rigid and flexible packaging, sustainable materials and new packaging formats.

The Healthcare Packaging Pavilion will also highlight technologies serving pharmaceutical, medical device and other regulated packaging applications.

“PACK EXPO International is where our industry comes together to solve problems, discover what’s next, and build the relationships that move business forward,” says Laura Thompson, vice president, trade shows, PMMI.

The event will offer more than 150 free educational sessions across five show-floor destinations. Topics will include automation, artificial intelligence, packaging materials, sustainability, regulatory developments and production efficiency.

Sustainability Central will address recyclability, circularity, extended producer responsibility and packaging design. Additional programming will explore operational challenges, supply chain issues and emerging technologies.

New for 2026, the event will introduce SMB FastTrack, designed to help small and medium-sized businesses identify relevant exhibitors and educational sessions. PACK EXPO Discovery Tours will provide guided visits to selected technology categories.

The show will also feature the Showcase of Packaging Innovations, highlighting award-winning packaging designs, along with networking programs and workforce development initiatives.

PACK EXPO International will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 18-20 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. October 21.

More information is available at packexpointernational.com.

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