PACK EXPO just completed its 30th anniversary trade show last month in Las Vegas. To take a look back at the history of the trade show, Dairy Foods contacted Laura Thompson, vice president, Trade Shows for PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, and asked her about the history of the show, the future of packaging and more.

Here are Thompson responses:

Dairy Foods: When you joined PMMI, what was PACK EXPO like? What were your first thoughts of the industry? What challenges did the industry face then?

Laura Thompson: My first PACK EXPO was in 1998. I was fascinated by the size and scope of the show and the international reach of the industry. As someone who was new to the industry, I had no idea how big and important the industry was. 

My first PACK EXPO Las Vegas Show was in 1999, and back then, it was a regional event in just one hall. The show has now grown to four halls and more than 1 million net square feet of exhibits, which is a testament to the growth of the industry. 

The packaging and processing industry has undergone a massive transformation since the first PACK EXPO Las Vegas in 1995, driven by sustainability, automation, digitization, and consumer demands. The influence of the internet, social media, cell phones and eCommerce have all impacted the packaging industry since those early PACK EXPO shows. I also was one of only a small group of women on the show floor, so seeing the growth of the Packaging and Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) has been fantastic. 

PMMI has also increased its commitment to both the future and current workforce over the years continuing to invest in an increasing number of student and training programs to support the industry. 

DF: How else has the show and industry changed since those early days of the show? 

Thompson: The growth of sustainability, automation, digitization, and changing consumer demands since the first PACK EXPO Las Vegas show has led to new show features to meet attendees’ needs. Over the years, PACK EXPO Las Vegas has introduced several pavilions to help attendees focus on specific solutions to their manufacturing challenges. Once an afterthought, sustainability is now central to business operations. 

In 2023, Sustainability Central launched as a dedicated destination for expert-led sessions on sustainability strategies and insights. There’s also the Sustainability Solutions Finder, an online tool connecting attendees to eco-friendly packaging suppliers, the Containers & Materials Pavilion, which is a prime destination for companies looking to refresh a brand with new packaging and increase sustainability, and the Reusable Packaging Pavilion sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association.

Also launched in 2023, and now double in size for 2025, is the Logistics Pavilion that addresses eCommerce-driven supply chain complexities and features AI-powered solutions for streamlined distribution. Back in 2015, the Healthcare Packaging Pavilion was launched, which reflects the show’s expansion into pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices and nutraceuticals.

Other now-familiar features, the Processing Zone and the Processing Innovation Stage, present front-of-the-line solutions and provide a central location for everything food and beverage manufacturers need to improve production. Targeted solutions for the confectionery industry can be found in the Confectionery Pavilion sponsored by the National Confectioners Association. 

The show has also expanded its networking opportunities with the Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) Breakfast, the Young Professionals Networking Reception, and Vision 2030 just to name a few. 

This year, PMMI Media Group led two new show floor tours — the PACK EXPO Discovery Tours and the PACK EXPO Sustainability Tours — designed to help brands quickly identify emerging technologies and innovative suppliers that can transform their operations. These guided experiences offered a focused, efficient way to navigate the expansive show floor, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

DF: Any interesting stories that happened at PACK EXPO in the past? What event beyond the show itself was most memorable? 

Thompson: One of the most exciting things for me was when we launched PACK gives BACK, which is an event to support the PMMI Foundation. PMMI had never done anything like this before and had General Colin Powell as the speaker for the first event. Since then, the event has evolved into comedians and bands from Jay Leno to Styx and during PACK EXPO Las Vegas this year, PACK gives BACK featured an exclusive Cirque du Soleil performance. These events are a wonderful opportunity to host a fun event off the show floor and network with our members, exhibitors and attendees — all for a good cause.

DF: What are your thoughts on what will drive the packaging industry in the future and how PACK EXPO may change?

Thompson: As we look to the future, we remain focused on the forces reshaping our industry: automation, AI, sustainability, and workforce development. Rapid advancements in technology, evolving regulations, and shifting consumer demands continue to drive transformation across packaging and processing, and PACK EXPO Las Vegas will evolve alongside it to meet those changing needs.

We will continue to enhance the attendee experience with meaningful networking opportunities and smarter tools designed to maximize value and deliver a stronger return on investment. As the industry evolves, PACK EXPO Las Vegas will remain committed to providing the insights, connections, and resources professionals need to stay ahead of the curve.