Arlington, VA, February 8, 2007 - Seeking to increase brand turnover at the retail shelf? Want to bring greater convenience to build stronger brands? Need to speed up new product commercialization and launches? Brand owners will be able to solve these packaging challenges – and many others – at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2007, being held October 15-17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV, USA.

With more than 1,200 exhibiting companies occupying more than 500,000 net square feet of space, PACK EXPO Las Vegas will showcase the latest technologies from all facets of the package development process. With over 25% of the exhibitors offering “containers and materials” as a major product category, PACK EXPO Las Vegas makes it easy for brand owners to find solutions that increase sales, grow brand loyalty and build greater market share. PACK EXPO also places a strong emphasis on advanced machinery, helping packagers learn firsthand how to commercialize their concepts and achieve required output.

"The key role packaging plays in building brand preference is no secret,” said Charles D. Yuska, president & CEO of the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), sponsor and producer of PACK EXPO Las Vegas. “Package design and functionality is critical for brand success and security. However, in a crowded marketplace, companies that recognize all facets of packaging – innovative materials, containers and the right machinery – as critical components of building powerful brands are the ones that truly flourish. PACK EXPO is the only show that can provide brand owners with the complete range of packaging solutions they need to gain the competitive advantage – all under one roof.”

Co-Locations Add Value

Several new co-located events will extend attendee knowledge into complementary and non-competitive markets including the International Bottled Water Association’s (IBWA) 2007 Convention and Tabletop Trade Show. The Convention will provide an expanded educational seminar program to educate bottled water professionals about innovative technologies, processes, marketing and sales techniques, and industry trends. Additionally, IBWA will debut its new Tabletop Trade Show, which will provide all the networking opportunities exhibitors have come to expect, but in a more intimate atmosphere. The 2007 IBWA Convention and Tabletop Trade Show will run from October 15 – 19 and will be housed at the Las Vegas Hilton, which is directly connected to the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"PACK EXPO leads the way when it comes to highlighting the state-of-the-art advances in the packaging industry,” commented IBWA president Joseph K. Doss. “By co-locating the 2007 IBWA Convention and Tabletop Trade Show with PACK EXPO, all of our combined attendees will benefit.”

To learn more about the 2007 IBWA Convention and Tabletop Trade Show, log-on to the IBWA website at www.bottledwater.org.

Also co-locating with PACK EXPO Las Vegas for the first time is Converting and Package Printing Expo (CPP EXPO). Reflecting the new market synergies of the package printing, converting, finishing machinery and supplies industries, CPP EXPO showcases the latest in printing, coating, slitting and other state-of-the-art finishing processes.

Adding even further value is the return of PROCESS EXPO, which focuses on the newest developments in food and beverage processing technology. Sponsored and produced by Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA), PROCESS EXPO will highlight state-of-the-art equipment in the fruit and vegetable, beverage, canning/freezing, environmental, instrumentation, prepared foods; can making, meat, dairy and snack food industries.

“Linking these four exhibitions – which have natural synergies – is just one of the ways that PACK EXPO sets itself apart from other packaging events,” explained Yuska. “By highlighting innovation across all aspects and markets that packaging touches, brand owners can gain insight into the entire development process and gain the tools and knowledge they need to commercialize new packaging concepts quickly and efficiently.”

Focus on Technology

Joining these market-focused co-located events will be several popular technology pavilions from previous shows:

• The Containers & Materials Pavilion, which continues to be one of PACK EXPO’s most highly visited features, will feature advanced materials and containers to add brand differentiation, increase turnover at the retail shelf and bring greater convenience to build stronger brand equity.
  
  
• Marketers and designers seeking inspiration for their next breakthrough packaging idea can visit The Showcase of Packaging Innovations™ where hundreds of real-world applications from around the globe will reside. Packages nominated for the PACK EXPO Selects program, which recognizes best-in-class consumer packaging, will also be featured in this pavilion.
  
  
• Brand security will be another key focus at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2007. Statistics from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce indicate that counterfeiting and piracy cost the U.S. economy between $200-$250 billion per year and the world economy approximately $650 billion per year. To help brand owners combat this growing concern, the Brand Protection Center will highlight packaging initiatives and technologies that guard against bioterrorism, package tampering, counterfeiting and product adulteration.
  
  
• The Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Pavilion will once again feature solutions that meet the requirements of the entire supply chain.
  
  
• The Contract Packaging Pavilion will also return to showcase the latest services, packaging formats and machinery available to the world's consumer and industrial goods manufacturers.
  

Visitors to PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2007 will also find significant attention given to the topic of sustainability, which is receiving increased support from the food and beverage industry. According to Sustainable (“Green”) Packaging Market for Food & Beverages, a recent report from market research publisher Specialists in Business Information (SBI), shipments of sustainable or ‘green’ packaging exceeded $37 billion in 2005. SBI projects the market will continue to see annual increases in value, with the market supply for sustainable packaging surpassing $42 billion in 2010.

A single admission fee will cover entrance to PACK EXPO Las Vegas exhibits and pavilions as well as those at each co-located event held within the Las Vegas Convention Center.

For more information about PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2007, visit www.packexpo.com. You can also contact PMMI’s Show Department at (703) 243-8555; fax: (703) 243-8556; or e-mail expo@pmmi.org.

The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI) is a trade association whose more than 500 general members manufacture packaging and packaging-related converting machinery in the United States and Canada. PMMI’s twenty-three supplier members manufacture commercially available packaging machinery components. PMMI's vision is to be the leading global resource for packaging. Its mission is to improve and promote members' abilities to meet the needs of their customers. Visit www.pmmi.org for more information.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas will be held October 15-17, 2007 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. The show will be co-located with the PROCESS EXPO and the Converting & Package Printing EXPO. PMMI also produces EXPO PACK México, the premier packaging show in Mexico serving the Latin American region. This show will be held June 26-29, 2007 at Centro Banamex, Mexico City, Mexico. PACK EXPO International will be held November 9-13, 2008 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.