PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, predicts 2014 will set some new records for Pack Expo International, taking place Nov. 2–5 in Chicago, IL at McCormick Place. Coincoding with Pack Expo is the debut of Pharma Expo, co-produced by PMMI and the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE). Together, the shows will feature 2,400 processing and packaging providers — the highest number of exhibitors ever recorded at any Pack Expo event — and cover over 1.2 million net square feet of exhibit space.

“Attendee registration for the event is well ahead of where we were at this point in 2012, and we’ve significantly exceeded our projections for exhibitors and exhibit space,” says Jim Pittas, vice president, Trade Shows, PMMI. “Pack Expo International 2014 and Pharma Expo will host over 20 percent more exhibitors than our 2012 event did. Solutions providers are demonstrating, yet again, the value they place on Pack Expo as the premier medium for reaching their customers.”

Pack Expo International exhibitors will present technologies for enhancing sustainability, efficiency, automation, food safety initiatives and shelf impact throughout the Lakeside, North and South halls. In the West Hall, providers exhibiting at Pharma Expo will address the entire pharmaceutical lifecycle, making it a one-stop-shop for the latest processing and packaging technologies in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, biotech and medical device sectors. Together, the shows are expected to draw more than 50,000 attendees, including 7,000 international visitors from over 120 countries.

Pharma Expo alone has exceeded expectations, nearly doubling original exhibitor floor space projections. The co-location of the two shows affords attendees an opportunity to cross-pollinate ideas between different industries.

“Pack Expo and Pharma Expo attendees will benefit from seeing the technologies and applications other industries use to tackle challenges,” notes Pittas. He adds that industry associations will be out in full force: “End user and international groups have stepped up in considerable numbers to support both shows. The Pack Expo Partner Program is the largest we’ve seen, and we have other groups participating on multiple levels. All together, more than 70 leading industry associations will be on site and promoting innovation across industry segments.”

In addition to the technologies on display, attendees will also have access to a wide range of educational opportunities, much of it available free. Four different Innovation Stages, the Food Safety Summit Resource Center, The Reusables Learning Center, and The Center for Trends and Technology are just a few of the locations for learning, and they will spotlight the latest information on critical industry trends.

“ISPE aims to provide learning opportunities that help move the pharmaceutical industry forward,” says John Bournas, president and CEO, ISPE. “By positioning world-class technologies and learning opportunities across various life science industries alongside similar innovations and insights from other markets, we’re creating a truly unique chance for attendees to examine a broader spectrum of possibilities to enhance their manufacturing supply chains.”

Registration for the show is $60. For more information about the shows, visit packexpointernational.com or pharmaexpo.com.