PMMI (Packaging and Processing Technologies Institute) successfully hosted the inaugural PACK EXPO Southeast show at the Georgia World Congress Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, from 10 to 12 March. As a brand new regional show under the PMMI umbrella, PACK EXPO Southeast attracted more than 6,700 professional visitors and 2,800 exhibitor personnel, totalling nearly 10,000 attendees, bringing new life to the regional marketplace for the packaging and processing industry.
A total of 504 exhibitors participated in the show with 115,000 square feet of exhibition space covering a wide range of vertical markets including food and beverage, automotive, life sciences, pharmaceutical, medical device, cosmetics and personal care, pet food and pet care, and chemicals.
PMMI represents more than 1,000 manufacturers and suppliers of equipment, components and materials for the packaging and processing industry, and its show portfolio includes PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, PACK EXPO East, PACK EXPO Southeast, EXPO PACK México and EXPO PACK Guadalajara.
The show features the Innovation Stage and Industry Speaks, which provide visitors with free education on industry technologies, applications and tips. In addition, the Reusable Packaging Pavilion, hosted by the Reusable Packaging Association, serves as a learning centre for sustainable and reusable packaging systems.
A number of social events were held during the show, including the opening reception, the Young Professionals Social Reception, and a reception organised by the Packaging and Processing Women's Leadership Network (PPWLN) in conjunction with the Association for Women in Manufacturing.
Jin Song, senior manager of engineering and simulation from The Coca-Cola Company, said, "Several members of our team attended PACK EXPO Southeast to see what's new in the marketplace. It's so convenient to have an event like this on our doorstep, it's a great opportunity to keep up to date with the latest developments in the packaging industry, network and learn."
Fletcher Sims, Head of Manufacturing Capability at Ryca Solutions, said, "Our experience at PACK EXPO Southeast was very positive. We got more potential customer interactions and leads in three days than at any other campaign in the last six months. We are a start-up software company and will definitely be attending future PACK EXPO shows, including the next one in Atlanta."
The successful debut of PACK EXPO Southeast proved the importance of regional industry events that provide a platform for packaging and processing solutions directly to key markets.PMMI plans to hold the show every two years, and the next PACK EXPO Southeast will be held in 2027 12-14 April in Atlanta.
In addition, PMMI will host EXPO PACK Guadalajara (10-12 June, Guadalajara, Mexico) and PACK EXPO Las Vegas (29 September-1 October, Las Vegas) in 2025.In 2026, PMMI will continue to host PACK EXPO East (17-19 February, Philadelphia), PACK EXPO International (18-21 October, Chicago) and EXPO PACK México (2-5 June, Mexico City).
The debut of PACK EXPO Southeast in the US not only provided attendees with insights into industry trends, but also offered a platform for packaging and processing industry professionals to network, learn and make connections.
Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China 