PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2019, co-located with Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2019, will be held September 23-25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev. Produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, the shows’ 2,000 exhibiting companies will host an expected 30,000 attendees across the 900,000-sq-ft (net) exhibit floor, including 5,000 international visitors from more than 125 countries.

“We are excited to unveil our new show features that will add even more value for the industry professionals making the trip to attend,” said Laura Thompson, vice president of trade shows for PMMI.

Robotics Zone

Innovation in automation is driving rapid developments in robotics. This year, PACK EXPO Las Vegas has dedicated an entire zone in the North Hall to showcase some of the latest technologies in robotics, where attendees can witness their capabilities and see them in action. Upon arrival to the Robotics Zone, the PACK EXPO Omron Greeter Robot will welcome visitors.

As part of this new zone, teams from Las Vegas high schools will showcase their robots in motion in the Future Innovators Robotics Showcase. Next, PACK for a Purpose: Robots Fighting Hunger, in collaboration with Blessings in a Backpack, will feature exhibitor robots showcasing a variety of different applications while packing food to feed kids on the weekends. Participating sponsors include Bosch, Chicago Electric with Yaskawa, Fanuc America, ProMach with ABB, and Universal Robots. Blessings in a Backpack benefits children facing food insecurity across Las Vegas and the U.S.

Since the show is in Las Vegas, Robotics Zone will of course include gambling and a show. Visitors are welcome to check out Omron’s Interactive Dice Playing robot and Ready Robotics’ Bowling Robot while listening to a concert from the Kuka Robotic Pianist.

Comau will showcase its Interactive Wearable Exoskeleton, where attendees can try on a wearable suit and perform assisted task and product handling. In addition, the Soft Robotics End-Of-Arm Tool Exhibit will demonstrate an end-of-arm tool designed to mimic the human hand to grasp and manipulate items that vary in size, shape, and weight. Finally, visitors will be able to witness Pick and Place/Relocation Activities in action, compliments of University of Waterloo Autonomous Robotic Lab and the Object Detection and Flexible Grasping with Artificial Intelligence Demo sponsored by Siemens.

The Forum

The Forum makes its PACK EXPO Las Vegas debut in the Central Hall with its interactive industry knowledge exchange. The Forum offers free 45-min learning sessions on the latest industry trends, including hands-on activities, small group discussions, and Q&A each day of the show. Leading organizations that will be holding interactive sessions at The Forum include:

• OpX Leadership Network
• Contract Packagers Association (CPA)
• Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP)
• The Organization for Automation and Control (OMAC)
• Robotic Industries Association (RIA)
• World Packaging Organization (WPO)
• PMMI U
• PMMI Business Intelligence

Pavilions

PACK EXPO Las Vegas will offer several pavilions for the exploration of specific aspects of packaging. After a successful launch in 2018 at PACK EXPO International, the PACKage Printing Pavilion will focus on the advantages of digital printing, showcasing the latest in cost-effective solutions for smart, short-run, on-demand, cost-effective, variable data, and personalized packaging. The PACKagePrinting Pavilion will be located in the Central Hall.

In the lower South Hall, the Containers and Materials Pavilion will cover topics such as paperboard, glass, metal, and plastics; flexible and resealable packaging; innovative containers; and sustainable choices. In addition, the Showcase of Packaging Innovations^® annual showcase will highlight award-nominated packages.

In the Reusable Packaging Pavilion, located in the upper South Hall, attendees will see reusable products and services, as well as solutions for increasing sustainability in the supply chain. This pavilion will also include the Reusable Packaging Learning Center, providing insights regarding the incorporation of reusable packaging solutions.

The Confectionery Pavilion will highlight aeration and batch refining; shaping, enrobing, and cluster production; cooling conveyors; and easy-open packaging and portion control. It will also be located in the upper South Hall.

PACK gives BACK™

Sponsored by Rockwell Automation, PACK gives BACK returns to PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO with a new act and benefitting organization. Headlining this year’s event will be the legendary Steve Miller Band. A portion of the proceeds from this year’s event will support NS2 Serves^®, a nonprofit dedicated to helping recent U.S. military veterans transition from combat boots to business suits.

The fundraiser on Monday, September 23, will kick off with a networking reception at 4 p.m., followed by a performance by Steve Miller Band at 5 p.m. in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Tickets are $95 and include drinks and light hors d’oeuvres. For more information and to purchase tickets for this event, visit www.packexpolasvegas.com/pack-gives-back.