PMMI trade shows land on fastest-growing lists

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PMMI trade shows land on fastest-growing lists

19 Feb 2025

Maddie Lambert

Maddie Lambert is a copywriter and editor from Joplin, MO. She graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English – literary studies. When she’s not poring over the magazine or lost in the pages of a new novel, you can find Maddie exploring her local bookstores, spending time with her husband, or sharing her latest literary discoveries with fellow book enthusiasts.

HERNDON, VA — Pack Expo East and Pack Expo International have earned a place on Trade Show Executive’s “Fastest 50” and “Next 50” lists for being among the fastest-growing trade shows in 2024. Produced by PMMI, the association for packaging and processing technologies, both shows set the standard for innovation and comprehensive solutions in the manufacturing industry.

The honorees are selected based on their percentage of growth in three categories: net square feet, number of exhibiting companies and number of attendees.

“We are honored to see Pack Expo East and Pack Expo International recognized among the ‘Fastest 50’ and ‘Next 50’ shows,” said Jim Pittas, president and CEO of PMMI. “This achievement reflects the rapid growth of the packaging and processing industry, the groundbreaking innovations emerging in areas like AI, robotics and sustainability, and the dedication of our team in delivering world-class events that keep pace with industry trends.”

Pack Expo East earned a spot on the “Fastest 50” list for its growth in all three categories. In 2024, Pack Expo East had its largest show to date, with 7,977 attendees and more than 500 exhibitors across 120,000 net square feet of space at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. This event is the premiere regional show for CPG and pharmaceutical companies to find the latest solutions to their manufacturing and packaging needs.

“This achievement reflects the rapid growth of the packaging and processing industry, the groundbreaking innovations emerging in areas like AI, robotics and sustainability, and the dedication of our team in delivering world-class events that keep pace with industry trends.” — Jim Pittas | president, CEO | PMMI

Pack Expo International earned a spot on the “Fastest 50” list for growth in the number of exhibiting companies, in addition to a spot on the “Next 50” list for total attendance.

Pack Expo International, which took place in Chicago at McCormick Place, was the largest packaging and processing show of 2024. It featured 48,000 attendees and 29,500 exhibitor personnel, reaching a total attendance of 77,500. A record number of 2,700 exhibitors occupied 1.32 million net square feet of space, making it the largest show in its history and McCormick Place’s biggest event of the year.

“The growth of Pack Expo East and Pack Expo International reflects the industry’s increasing demand for cutting-edge solutions and meaningful connections,” said Laura Thompson, VP of trade shows for PMMI. “Our commitment to delivering world-class events that showcase the latest advancements in packaging and processing continues to drive record-breaking attendance and exhibitor participation. We’re excited to build on this momentum with the debut of Pack Expo Southeast in 2025.”

PMMI’s newest show, Pack Expo Southeast, set for March 10-12 in Atlanta, is expected to be even larger than Pack Expo East with a sold-out floor featuring more than 500 exhibitors spread over more than 110,000 net square feet.

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