PACK EXPO East and PACK EXPO International, organized by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, have secured spots on Trade Show Executive’s prestigious Fastest 50 and Next 50 lists for their extraordinary growth in 2024. These honors underscore the events’ growing significance as benchmarks for innovation, attendee engagement, and exhibitor expansion in the packaging and processing industry.
The Fastest 50 and Next 50 lists recognize trade shows achieving the most significant growth in three key areas: net square feet, number of exhibiting companies, and total attendance. Both PACK EXPO East and PACK EXPO International demonstrated remarkable growth across these categories, solidifying their positions as premier events in the manufacturing industry.
PACK EXPO East Achieves Record-Breaking Growth
PACK EXPO East earned a coveted spot on the Fastest 50 list for growth in all three categories — net square feet, number of exhibiting companies, and total attendance. The 2024 event recorded its largest turnout to date, attracting 7,977 attendees and over 500 exhibitors who showcased cutting-edge solutions across 120,000 net square feet at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. As the leading regional show for consumer-packaged goods and pharmaceutical companies, PACK EXPO East continues to be a critical hub for discovering innovative manufacturing solutions.
PACK EXPO International Sets Records in Chicago
PACK EXPO International, held at McCormick Place in Chicago, achieved significant recognition by earning a place on the Fastest 50 list for growth in the number of exhibiting companies and inclusion in the Next 50 list for overall attendance. The event was the largest packaging and processing trade show of 2024, bringing together 48,000 attendees and 29,500 exhibitor personnel, resulting in a total attendance of 77,500.
The show also set records for its size, with 2,700 exhibitors occupying an unprecedented 1.32 million net square feet of exhibit space. This achievement made PACK EXPO International not only the largest show in its history but also the biggest event hosted at McCormick Place in 2024.
Industry Leaders Celebrate the Achievement
“We are honored to see PACK EXPO East and PACK EXPO International recognized among the Fastest 50 and Next 50 shows,” said Jim Pittas, president and CEO of PMMI. “This achievement reflects the rapid growth of the packaging and processing industry, the groundbreaking innovations emerging in areas like AI, robotics, and sustainability, and the dedication of our team in delivering world-class events that keep pace with industry trends.”
Laura Thompson, vice president of trade shows at PMMI, added: “The growth of PACK EXPO East and PACK EXPO International reflects the industry’s increasing demand for cutting-edge solutions and meaningful connections. Our commitment to delivering world-class events that showcase the latest advancements in packaging and processing continues to drive record-breaking attendance and exhibitor participation. We’re excited to build on this momentum with the debut of PACK EXPO Southeast in 2025.”
Debut of PACK EXPO Southeast in 2025
Building on the success of PACK EXPO East and PACK EXPO International, PMMI is gearing up for the debut of its newest event, PACK EXPO Southeast, which will take place from March 10–12, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. This event is already shaping up to be larger than PACK EXPO East, with a sold-out exhibit floor featuring over 500 exhibitors spread across more than 110,000 net square feet.
Driving Innovation and Sustainable Growth
PACK EXPO events have become synonymous with innovation and sustainability in the packaging and processing industry. They provide a platform for showcasing advancements in areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, and eco-friendly solutions. These shows also foster collaboration among industry stakeholders, connecting manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers to address emerging challenges and opportunities.
With continued record-breaking achievements and the expansion of the PACK EXPO portfolio, PMMI continues to lead the way in delivering world-class events that meet the evolving demands of the global packaging and processing industry.