A Record-Setting Event for PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging Expo

October 10, 2019
PACK EXPO

The 2019 edition of PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO was a huge success by all accounts. Show owner and producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, reports that the show hit an unprecedented level in late September, breaking records for number of exhibitors, total exhibit space and total attendees.

At the show’s close, preliminary numbers showed 31,000 attendees (an 8 percent increase from the 2017 edition) and more than 2,000 exhibitors covering nearly 900,000 net square feet at Las Vegas Convention Center.

“With the incredible role it now plays for the packaging industry, PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO was the international packaging event of 2019," said Jim Pittas, president and CEO of PMMI.

He continued, “The sheer size and scope of [the show] indicates that as our industry continues to prosper, it turns to PMMI shows for the solutions and tools to improve business.”

New this year was a Robotics Zone, where tens of thousands of attendees flocked to interact with robotic and cobot (aka, collaborative robot) displays. The area also had a cool giveback opportunity. In collaboration with Blessings in a Backpack, a program called “PACK for a Purpose: Robots Fighting Hunger” used exhibitor robots to pack 6,000 bags of food to be donated to children in need.

Additionally, the annual fundraiser held on the show’s opening evening, PACK Gives BACK, featured a performance by the legendary Steve Miller Band. A portion of ticket sales went toward NS2 Serves, a nonprofit that provides tech job training to U.S. military veterans.

A highlight on the second day of PACK EXPO was the Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network breakfast, which drew nearly 700 industry professionals. Keynote speaker Ellen Ochoa shared her journey to becoming the first Hispanic woman to visit outer space.

Technology Excellence Awards this year had record voter participation, with top honors going to Berry Global, TECMA ARIES, Sleever International, UltraSource and Belco Packaging Systems.

The next event in the PACK EXPO portfolio is PACK EXPO East, which is slated for March 3-5, 2020, at Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. It’s expected to draw 400 exhibitors across 100,000 net square feet, and 7,000 attendees.

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Photo credit: PACK EXPO Facebook page

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MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.