PACK EXPO International Celebrates 70th Anniversary
The massive packaging and processing trade show drew thousands of industry professionals to Chicago's McCormick Place.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Special Interest
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The PMMI PACK EXPO International trade show recently concluded at McCormick Place, bringing together roughly 43,000 attendees. The event marked its 70th anniversary with over 1.3 million net square feet of exhibit space.
Why it matters
The show serves as a critical hub for the packaging and processing industry, which PMMI has prioritized for expansion over the last five years. It provides a platform for thousands of exhibitors to connect with professionals across 40 vertical markets.
The 2026 event hosted over 2,700 exhibitors and 72,000 packaging and processing professionals, far exceeding the 136 exhibitors at the inaugural 1956 show. Attendees gained access to more than 150 free educational sessions across seven pavilions.
The players
PMMI
The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies serves as the organizing body behind the PACK EXPO series.
The details
Exhibitors utilized tools such as the SMB FastTrack and a digital Solutions Finder to facilitate networking and product discovery. The massive exhibition floor covered over 1.3 million net square feet, a significant increase from the 43,000 square feet used during the 1956 debut in Cleveland.
Timeline
The first PACK EXPO trade show was held in 1956.
PACK EXPO International took place from Oct. 18 to 21, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The evolution from the 1956 PACK EXPO to the current iteration mirrors the rapid industrialization and technological scaling of the global supply chain. This growth highlights PMMI's strategic pivot toward integrating the broader processing sector into a once packaging-exclusive trade event.
Professionals attending the show gained direct access to new tools like Discovery Tours and digital Solutions Finder resources to navigate the vast event floor. These resources aim to streamline the discovery of new manufacturing equipment and technical services for local and national businesses.
The takeaway
The sustained growth of PACK EXPO highlights how specialized trade events continue to adapt to complex industrial needs. Professionals looking to stay competitive should leverage digital tools provided by industry associations to better navigate these large-scale technology exhibitions.
Further reading
Explore more industry developments on the Special Interest page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Meat+Poultry.
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