The 20th anniversary edition of PACK EXPO Las Vegas (Las Vegas Convention Center; Sept. 28-30, 2015), projects as the show’s largest edition yet, reports show owner and producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.

While its more than 800,000 net square feet of exhibit space is significant, PMMI also anticipates visitor attendance near 30,000 and over 2,000 exhibitors. These industry leaders serve more than 40 vertical markets, an indicator of PACK EXPO Las Vegas’ growth in breadth and depth over the years. The expansion includes the Las Vegas debut of Pharma EXPO, jointly produced by PMMI and the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE).

“PACK EXPO shows have evolved alongside the needs of attendees and exhibitors, and we’ve come a long way from where we started,” says Charles D. Yuska, president and CEO, PMMI. “Today, PACK EXPO trade shows are always the year’s most comprehensive events for packaging innovation. In the case of PACK EXPO Las Vegas, it’s been a quick jump from regional show to expansive, must-attend event.”

In 1995, PMMI introduced the industry to PACK EXPO West, featuring packaging equipment from 532 exhibitors and attracting 9,334 attendees. Exhibit space was about 200,000 net square feet — about 25 percent of this year’s event. The international flavor of the show has grown as well, with visitors from outside the United States making up 8.3 percent of the attendee base in 1995 and 18 percent at the most recent edition, in 2013. The number of international exhibitors also increased from just 54 at the debut event to more than 310showcasingsolutions this year in Las Vegas.

The co-location of Pharma EXPO brings that point home, focusing on supply chain solutions for the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, nutraceutical and medical device industries. The combination of the two shows also presents the opportunity to explore a wide range of industries and ideas, according to Brian Barr, packaging systems sales manager, Heat and Control. Heat and Control (Booth C-3627) is one of 176 original exhibitors that will be at this year’s show.

“PACK EXPO has evolved to serve the broad needs of a diverse market that has packaging as its nucleus. From equipment for food processing, to conveying, packaging, and inspection, this show provides a single forum for presenting and discussing solutions,” says Barr. “As a full-service supplier, we need a full-service trade show where our customers can discuss a range of projects at a single location. PACK EXPO is that single source where we can communicate all our products and services to our customers.”

In addition to expanding the scope of solutions dotting the show floor, PACK EXPO Las Vegas has adapted its educational and networking offerings to meet the needs of today’s manufacturing professionals. Its signature Innovation Stage will occupy three stages on the PACK EXPO show floor (Booths C-1041, C-1045 and C-1049) and a fourth in Pharma EXPO (Booth N–559), all with free, top-tier 30-minute educational sessions running concurrently throughout each day of the show. Pharma EXPO will also feature a world-class conference program curated by ISPE.

As the event has grown, PMMI has also added customer-centric features designed to help attendees maximize their time on the show floor and leverage networking opportunities. Industry-specific lounges and specialized pavilions like The Brand Zone and provide quick access to the latest developments in specific market niches.

Meanwhile, features such as the Food Safety Summit Resource Center (Booth S-7632), organized by the Food Safety Summit, and the Center for Trends and Technology: Improving Production Through Innovation (Booth C-4829), sponsored by Rockwell Automation and its PartnerNetwork™ Program, focus on educating attendees in crucial technologies by offering seminars and one-on-one conversations with leading subject matter experts.

“Over the years, we’ve added features and events, but one thing hasn’t changed,” Yuska says. “PACK EXPO Las Vegas is a venue where industry professionals come together, do business and find the solutions they need for operational excellence.” For more information and to register, visit packexpolasvegas.com.

Registration for PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Pharma EXPO is $30 through Sept. 14, when it increases to $100.