Graph Expo

September 13-16, 2015
McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
www.graphexpo.com

Graph Expo returns to Chicago’s McCormick Place from September 13-16, 2015, in an effort to prepare attendees for further success in the world of print. At this year’s show, for the first time ever, organizers say that attendees will be able to explore the convergence of processing, packaging, printing and converting all from one location. This is thanks to Graph Expo’s continued co-location with the Converting & Packaging Printing (CPP) Expo, and Process Expo, which runs concurrently with the show September 15-18.

Also new to this year’s Graph Expo is the debut of three new show-floor education destinations. The Industrial Printing Zone integrates the worlds of package printing, commercial printing and industrial manufacturing with profit-building applications and strategies to build business. This zone will also include a Future Printing Experiential Lab, where attendees can see and learn about the latest solutions and innovations in packaging, such as RFID, printed electronics and 3D printing.

The other new education zones are the Materials Matter floor and Applications Island. The former will showcase substrate manufacturers demonstrating the role that paper and non-paper materials play in every print job, while the latter will show attendees new potential print applications that can help a business expand and profit.

“In keeping with this year’s ‘transform’-themed Graph Expo, these three new show floor features are concrete demonstrations of how the graphic communications industry is indeed transforming,” says Graphic Arts Show Company president Ralph Nappi. “These three new show floor attractions, along with the other show floor sections and features, demonstrate the variability and versatility of the industry.”

Graph Expo will kick off with the popular pre-show Executive Outlook presentation on Sunday, September 13, from 8 a.m. to noon, where the marketing and technology presentation will focus on elements for focused growth. Educational opportunities are continuous throughout the entire conference, offering flexible packaging-related topics such as color matching, value-added print techniques, emerging print technology, “smart” package printing, growing or selling your print or packaging company, new flexible packaging opportunities, and new investments to leverage digital print, among others.
 

CPP Expo

September 13-16, 2015
McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
www.cppexpo.com

Co-locating once again with Graph Expo is the Converting & Packaging Printing (CPP) Expo. As a premiere event serving the converting and package printing markets, CPP Expo covers a realm of topics and technologies, including flexible packaging, narrow web, tag and label, and wide web, among others.

“CPP Expo targets mainstream converters and package printers, and this year brings AIMCA/CEMA and RadTech back into the mix,” says Jane McDermott, marketing director, CPP Expo. “An added component that enhances business development is co-locating with Graph Expo and attracting commercial printers who are seeking to learn about new products, services and technologies they need to expand their traditional printing facilities.

“The industry can always count on CPP EXPO to see what is new and innovative – from traditional converting processes to the latest in digital.”

In addition to a show floor, the event also offers educational programs and a show floor presentation theater for attendees to get up to speed with the latest information in the industry. Educational track topics include the likes of:

  • Slitting and rewinding
  • Inkjet printing
  • Intelligent packaging
  • Flexo printing
  • UV/EB ink curing
  • Static control challenges
  • Next-generation printing

“This year will be even more valuable as CPP is an integral component of the ‘mega event’ that boasts co-location not only with Graph, but also with Process Expo, International Diary Show and InterBev Process,” McDermott says. “All show attendees will have reciprocal access to each other’s show floors. Having this kind of access to food, beverage and dairy packagers and processers could provide added sales and information gathering prospects for CPP attendees.”
 

Why Attend Graph Expo/CPP Expo?

Graph Expo is recognized as an innovative and comprehensive exhibition of inkjet, digital, offset, flexo, gravure and hybrid technologies, products and services for a variety of printing industries, including converting and package printing. CPP Expo is a premiere event for the converting and package printing marketplace, which covers flexible packaging, rigid packaging, non-wovens and tissue converting, narrow web, tag and label, wide web, and 3D printing.
 

PACK EXPO

September 28-30, 2015
Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas, NV
www.packexpolasvegas.com

The 2015 PACK EXPO Las Vegas marks 20 years since its inaugural event in Sin City. Needless to say, the show has grown significantly since that first show out west in 1995, and event organizers expect this year’s PACK EXPO to be triple the size of that inaugural event. In fact, organizers are anticipating 2,000 exhibitors and up to 30,000 attendees at the Las Vegas Convention Center from September 28-30. PACK EXPO is also co-locating with Pharma Expo this year, offering even more value to attendees.

In order to get a better idea of what makes PACK EXPO such a significant show in the packaging industry, we caught up with Julie Ackerman Montross, senior director, public relations and communications, PMMI, for a preview of the upcoming 2015 show.

Q:? Simply put, who should attend PACK EXPO and why should they make plans to be in Las Vegas this September?

A: Here’s the short answer: Attend PACK EXPO if you’re a processing or packaging professional looking for ways to address the challenges your operations lines face daily. Attend PACK EXPO if you want to see the latest technologies and innovations in your market. Attend PACK EXPO if you want to be inspired by what other markets are doing.

The PACK EXPO attendee base is a diverse group of professionals in management, engineering, sales, production and manufacturing, package design, brand management, and more. We’re expecting 30,000 attendees from over 40 vertical markets. More than two-thirds of them will be involved with the food and beverage (52 percent) and pharmaceutical/ personal care (16 percent) markets. There will also be those who attend because of their work in other packaged goods markets, such as automotive, electronics, textiles, and toys, sports and crafts.

 

Q:? What’s new and notable at this year’s show?

A: Let’s start by looking at education and networking. These are always abundant at PACK EXPO events, and the September show is no exception! I’d like to draw your attention to educational opportunities tailor-made for flexible packaging professionals, most of which are free and on the show floor for (attendee) convenience. These include:

  • Innovation Stage sessions on flexible packaging on the PACK EXPO show floor in the Central Hall (Booths C-1041, C-1045 and C-1049) and on the Pharma Expo show floor (Booth N-559).
  • The Regulatory and Risk Landscape for Flexible Food Packaging
  • What is Lumitrax? Inspection for Hidden Features or Defects
  • New Innovations in Drying Technology for Flexible Pouch Packaging
  • Child-Resistant Packaging — A Flexible Option

 

Q:? What are some of the trends you’re seeing when it comes to flexible packaging?

A: PMMI released its 2015 Flexible Packaging Study report this summer. Here are a few of its conclusions:

  • Consumers are in charge, and they want convenience. That’s having as much of an impact on the flexible packaging market as it is on the market as a whole. One example is the increasing prevalence of easy-open and resealable closures for flexible packaging.
  • Half of manufacturers say they desire high film transparency.
  • The U.S. will follow Europe’s lead with greater pouch usage.
  • Flexible packaging is seeing growth in the food service, food and medical markets.
  • The majority of manufacturers (75 percent) say they want multi-layer films. It’s their top characteristic.
  • There’s a clear reduction in package sizes and shapes.
  • Retort is becoming more popular in stand-up pouches for sauces, salsa and dressings.
  • More than half of manufacturers use a pouch to save on material usage and costs.
  • More products are coming out with flexible, refillable containers for greater sustainability and less waste.
     

Why Attend PACK EXPO?

Through its expansive show floor, education sessions and networking opportunities, PACK EXPO delivers a combination of innovation, inspiration, insight, interaction, and entertainment for professionals encompassing all aspects of the packaging industry.