How to Prepare to Exhibit at PACK EXPO International 2026: Tips for Exhibitors
Exhibiting at PACK EXPO International 2026 is a unique opportunity to showcase your brand to thousands of industry professionals and decision-makers. As the largest and most comprehensive packaging and processing trade show of the year, PACK EXPO International offers unparalleled exposure and networking opportunities. To make the most of your investment and ensure a successful exhibit, it’s essential to plan and strategize effectively.
In this guide, we’ll provide you with essential tips and best practices to help you prepare for the event, design an engaging booth, and maximize your impact on the show floor. Whether you’re a seasoned exhibitor or a first-timer, these insights will help you stand out and achieve your business goals at PACK EXPO International 2026.
About PACK EXPO International 2026
PACK EXPO International 2026 is the largest packaging and processing trade show in the world, taking place from October 18-21, 2026 at McCormick Place in Chicago. This biennial event is a premier opportunity for industry suppliers and end-users from various consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and life sciences to connect, showcasing the latest innovations and technologies in the packaging and processing industry.
PACK EXPO International 2026 Facts and Statistics:
- Date: October 18-21, 2026
- Venue: McCormick Place
- City/State: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Estimated Number of Exhibitors: Over 2,600 exhibitors
- Estimated Number of Attendees: 48,000 attendees
- Industries Represented: Over 40 vertical industries including food and beverage, healthcare, personal care, household products, pet care, and more
- Sponsor: PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies
Who Attends PACK EXPO International?
PACK EXPO International attracts a diverse group of professionals involved in the packaging and processing industry. Attendees come from a wide range of vertical markets and are typically high-level decision-makers and influencers within their organizations. Here are the primary demographics and interests of the show’s attendees:
- Industry Professionals: Attendees include plant managers, engineers, C-level executives, corporate management, purchasers, and other professionals from consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and life sciences.
- Vertical Markets Represented: More than 40 industries are represented, including food and beverage, healthcare, personal care, household products, pet care, industrial products (chemicals, paper, construction), e-commerce, and warehouse distribution.
- Job Roles and Titles: The show is frequented by professionals in roles such as packaging engineers, R&D specialists, production and operations managers, quality control managers, marketing and brand managers, and supply chain professionals.
- Interests and Objectives: Attendees are primarily interested in discovering new technologies and innovations in packaging and processing, finding solutions to improve efficiency and sustainability, networking with peers and suppliers, and gaining insights from educational sessions and industry experts.
How to Exhibit at PACK EXPO International?
Steps to Exhibit:
- View Floor Plans: Select your ideal booth location using the interactive floor plans at packexpo26.mapyourshow.com
- Package Upgrades: Consider visibility enhancements through ads and sponsorships
- Rules and Regulations: Review the exhibiting rules and regulations
- Submit Application: Apply for exhibit space with the necessary deposit (applications launch March 7, 2025)
Pricing:
- Base rate: $34.25 per square foot (includes drayage/material handling)
- PMMI Member rates: Long-standing members (7+ years) pay $26.75/sq.ft., other members pay $32.25/sq.ft.
- Deposit: 25% of total booth space cost required by June 2, 2025 for priority space selection
For more information, visit the official PACK EXPO International website.
Why Exhibit at PACK EXPO International?
Exhibiting at PACK EXPO International offers numerous benefits for businesses in the packaging and processing industry:
- Extensive Reach: Connect with decision-makers from a wide range of industries and from around the world
- Visibility and Awareness: Increase your brand’s profile in the industry and showcase your innovations
- Lead Generation: Meet with thousands of buyers and generate valuable leads
- Educational Opportunities: Gain insights from industry experts and stay updated on the latest trends
- Networking: Build relationships with potential customers, partners, and industry peers
Educational Opportunities at PACK EXPO International 2026
PACK EXPO International 2026 features multiple on-floor education platforms offering free 30-minute sessions:
- Innovation Stage: Fast-paced seminars on cutting-edge technologies including robotics, cybersecurity, sustainability, and digitalization
- Food & Beverage Processing Innovation Stage: Focused presentations on food and beverage processing advancements and efficiency improvements
- Industry Speaks Stage: Expert panels where trade association and industry leaders share insights on current trends and challenges in their vertical sectors
- Sustainability Central: A dedicated stage for eco-friendly packaging strategies and circular economy solutions
- Reusable Packaging Learning Center: Hands-on learning about implementing reusable packaging systems in the supply chain
- Student Programs: The PMMI PACK Challenge (student robotics competition) finals will take place live at the event
All educational programming is free on the exhibit floor, providing attendees with expert knowledge on the latest industry trends and best practices.
Preparing to Exhibit at PACK EXPO International 2026
Trade show exhibits are a big investment; here’s what you need to make your time successful:
We’ve created this comprehensive Trade Show Preparation Guide, which you can download for free, to help you prepare for the show.
Set Clear Goals for Your Trade Show Experience
Asking yourself the following questions can help with this task. Once you have the answers to these questions, you can develop a clear plan to reach your goals and measure your success.
- What do you hope to gain from PACK EXPO International?
- How many attendees do you want to draw in, and how many leads do you want to generate?
- What products do you want to showcase?
- Are you launching a product or promoting your business?
Do Your Research
Although you can’t attend everything, you can maximize your time by putting yourself in reach of your target audience at all times. Focus on the expos and educational events that are most likely to include your target customers so you can put all your attention on those most likely to buy.
Budget and Register for Your Space
When you register for PACK EXPO International, be sure to find out all you can about your space, such as its location on the floor, other exhibitors near you, the typical traffic in the area and what’s included in the space. The base rate of $34.25 per square foot includes drayage and material handling, which is a significant advantage compared to other trade shows.
Plan Your Exhibit
The last thing you want is a cluttered booth. To plan your exhibit, decide on who you want to reach and what products, demonstrations and promotional materials are best suited to their needs. If you’re targeting multiple audiences, consider the best products to launch or showcase to reach a wide variety of attendees.
Advertise Well in Advance
Trade show promotion should start months in advance. Promote your attendance on social media, your website, in press releases and through email blasts to ensure that your customers have time to plan. Utilize information such as the attendee list to reach new customers before the show even starts.
Tips for Exhibiting at PACK EXPO International 2026
Engage on Social Media
Use social media outlets to share your trade show exhibit information, drum up anticipation for your giveaways or product launches and share behind-the-scenes tidbits like your team packing for the event or show meetings. Be sure to use relevant hashtags like #PackExpo2026 and #ProcessingTech to get your posts into the online conversation.
Draw the Crowd
Use an interactive display, such as a game, contest or raffle to draw people’s interest to your booth. Giving away prizes through raffles or contests is a great way to collect information about visitors and encourage more traffic to your booth.
Bring Promotional Materials
Make sure you devote enough of your budget to an array of promotional materials. You should have order forms, business cards, price sheets, brochures, flyers and more that you can hand out to visitors to ensure you stay in their minds.
Keep Staff at Your Booth
At a show, you’ll want to attend networking events and educational seminars, so it’s important to make sure that your booth is never empty. When you’re preparing for the show, ensure you have enough team members attending the show to man the booth the entire time the show is open and greet visitors to engage them with your business.
Follow up With Attendees
Following up with your leads is almost as important as planning for the show itself. Take notes during the event to be sure you remember everyone in all the chaos, and take the time to note any opportunities for a smoother event experience in the future.
Planning on Exhibiting at PACK EXPO International 2026?
With so many packaging and processing professionals and vendors, there’s no better place to network in the packaging and processing industry than at PACK EXPO International 2026. This event not only provides endless opportunities for networking and business relationships, but it also features some of the top educational sessions in the field.
If you’re planning to attend, be sure you make the most of your experience and investment with a stunning booth design that showcases your brand. At Xibit Solutions, we specialize in creating a professional booth experience from start to finish, including show displays and logistics, to ensure you make a lasting impression. No matter your budget or needs, we’ll help you make your mark at PACK EXPO International with customized planning and designs.
Contact Xibit Solutions today to learn more about our trade show booth design services and see what we can do to make PACK EXPO International 2026 a success for your business.
