Growth was the central theme of EXPO PACK México 2011 (June 21–24; Mexico City), according to show owner and producer PMMI. The 26th edition of this, the premier packaging and processing trade show in Latin America, reports increases of 23% in visitor attendance.

Visitor attendance totaled 26,361 for 2011 vs. 21,402 in 2010. There were more than 900 exhibitors in 16,000 net square meters, and a host of new features. Highlights:
  •  26,361 qualified buyers

  • 5,953 exhibitor personnel

  • 902 exhibiting companies

  • 16,323 net square meters of exhibit space
Charles D. Yuska, president & CEO of PMMI, notes growth was evident. “Attendance exceeded expectations. And the growth we achieved shows an optimistic outlook by food and consumer goods producers in Latin America. That’s good news for everyone.”

Yuska added that Central American visitors increased for the second year in a row, with buying groups attending from Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica as well as the Mexican States of Puebla, Queretaro and Hidalgo. EXPO PACK México 2011 also saw an increase in multiple day visits to the show - 5,141 visitors attended the show for more than one day, an increase of more than two-thirds (68 percent) in return visitors.

EXPO PACK México hosted eight international pavilions, representing Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Spain, and the United States, and a “Made in Jalisco” pavilion.

Two new pavilions for 2011

The PROCESA Pavilion featured the latest developments in processing machinery and technology for the fruit and vegetable, beverage, dairy, meat, poultry, seafood, frozen and preserved foods industries; and the innovative containers and materials at the Containers and Materials Pavilion presented solutions for increasing visual impact, enhancing convenience, maximizing shelf life and adding functionality.

“The features of EXPO PACK México reflected the needs of packaging and processing facilities in Mexico and throughout Latin America,” Yuska says, “For example, the EXPO PACK Verde icon highlighted sustainability-friendly technologies – a critical feature as sustainability moves away from being a trend and into the mainstream.”

Also supporting the quest for innovation was the AMEE Innovations Pavilion, home to the Mexican Packaging Association’s (AMEE) Sustainable Packaging and Envases Estelares Awards. AMEE set a new record for Envases Estelares, presenting 113 awards during EXPO PACK México. AMEE also presented Mexican Packaging Week, which included a conference program that addressed issues packaging and processing professionals face daily, such as sustainability, logistics, innovation, safety and regulations.

Partnerships increase value

EXPO PACK México worked closely in 2011 with the Mexican Council of the Consumer Goods Industry (ConMexico) and Mexican National Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (CANIFARMA) to offer exclusive, industry-specific conferences for ConMexico and CANIFARMA members.

“These programs helped us to strengthen our relationships with two key associations. We look forward to continuing to develop these partnerships, so we can continue to improve how we serve these important EXPO PACK visitors,” says Yuska.

EXPO PACK México 2012 will return to Mexico City’s Centro Banamex June 26–29, 2012. For more information, visit www.expopack.com.mx.

PMMI organizes the PACK EXPO trade shows: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas and EXPO PACK México, connecting participants in the packaging and processing supply chain with their customers around the world. Coming Up: PACK EXPO Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center Sept. 26–28, 2011.

Learn more aboutPMMI  and thePACK EXPO.