PACK EXPO 2008 Tips for Attendees

by: Dennis Salazar

21 Oct

The late sportscaster Howard Cosell would often refer to well seasoned athletes as “veterans of many campaigns”. I guess except for the athletic part, that description could easily apply to guys like me who will soon be attending our 17th PACK EXPO show on November 9th through 13th.

This year’s PACK EXPO is expected to feature 2,000 exhibitors and over 45,000 attendees. (The show is held every other year, in Chicago’s McCormick Place.) It is a chance for many of us to catch up with old friends we rarely get to see, as well as a unique opportunity to review the newest innovations in packaging products and especially packaging equipment.

I personally am very excited to attend this year because it promises to be the greenest PACK EXPO ever. For those unable to be there, we plan to provide you with show updates on this blog featuring the newest and hottest green packaging products.

For those able to attend, especially for those new to the show, I offer some basic, practical advice to make PACK EXPO as productive and enjoyable as possible.

1. Accept the fact that you will not see it all. It is far too big to cover in its entirety so the very best you can do is prioritize and visit your “must see” booths.
2. The PMMI offers a show planner called “My Pack Expo”. After you register, you are able to see the list of exhibitors, make your booth visit choices and then receive a personalized list and floor map to help you get around. I have found it to be a tremendous time saver.
3. Plan on spending a minimum of two entire days. Otherwise you will have to be very selective on how and where you spend your valuable show time.
4. Eat elsewhere. Unless you are able to make time to dine at a local restaurant or hotel, pack a lunch because the show food at McCormick Place is ridiculously overpriced and usually, downright awful.
5. Do not use this event as an occasion to break in a new pair of shoes. The more comfortable the better and one trend I am pleased to see is the wearing of non-dress shoes. Wear whatever you would want to wear if you were walking many miles on concrete because that is exactly what you will be doing.
6. Pre-register. At this point (after 10/21) you will have to pick up your badge at the show but preregistering will give you access to a lot of valuable information like My Pack Expo and save you some time in some very long, slow payment lines.

One of Howard Cosell’s most famous quotes is “Sports is the toy department of human life”. If that is true, then the Pack Expo show must be a shopping mall.