Leveraging the Power of Packaging to Grow Brand Sales

CHICAGO, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ --

WHAT: Celebration of Global Packaging Innovations at PACK EXPO International 2006 Today's consumer has a staggering array of brand choices. Savvy marketers are leveraging innovative packaging designs that are highly focused and meet the specific needs of their target audience to communicate positively to the consumer and have a strong impact at point-of-sale. As a result, the role packaging plays within a marketing strategy has intensified, becoming one of the most important ingredients in the adoption and maintenance of a brand's key messaging. Nowhere will this trend be more evident than at PACK EXPO International 2006, where thousands of packaging concepts will be displayed, including more than 15 innovative designs nominated by industry professionals to represent the best in consumer and industrial packaging in the marketplace today. The inaugural PACK EXPO Selects program was designed to highlight the partnerships that occur between manufacturers, material suppliers, designers and brand owners with the unveiling of any new packaging concept. Nominated packages will be included in a special area within the Showcase of Packaging Innovations (TM) throughout PACK EXPO International, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. PACK EXPO International is the only place consumer goods companies can be exposed to the complete spectrum of global packaging innovations and concepts to increase retail sales, grow brand loyalty and build greater market share. The show will highlight advanced materials and containers to add brand differentiation, increase turnover at the retail shelf and bring greater convenience to strengthen brand equity. PACK EXPO will also feature packaging and processing machinery innovations to help speed new product commercialization, another critical factor in brand success. Additional highlights of PACK EXPO International include: * PACK EXPO will host the US Department of Commerce and an Iraqi delegation representing leading food-industry companies who are looking for partnerships with US run companies as part of efforts in the reconstruction of Iraq. * Wal-Mart executives headline the Keynote address, "The Wal- Mart/Sam's Club Packaging Vision." Executive from Sam's Club will share greater details about the newly released sustainability initiative that will require their 60,000 suppliers to significantly reduce packaging waste beginning in January 2007. The keynote address will be held on November 1 from 10:30 to 11:15 am followed by a Q & A. For a preview of the keynote address please visit: http://pei2006.packexpo.com/exhibitor/solutions.html, click on "Preview the Wal-Mart presentation." * Visit one of the four pavilions: BRAND PROTECTION CENTER: This pavilion will focus on packaging initiatives and technologies to protect against bioterrorism, package tampering, counterfeiting and product adulteration. Visit packaging security exhibits from technology and service providers as well as government stakeholders. CONTRACT PACKAGING PAVILION: The prominence of contract packaging services in today's vibrant marketplace is recognized by this new attraction. The pavilion is a great starting point for assessing a project and exploring the many possible options provided by contract packaging partners. CONTAINERS & MATERIALS PAVILION: This pavilion debuted at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2003 and was a huge success. At the 2005 show the pavilion was increased by 33% to satisfy increased exhibitor demand. More than 40,000 square feet of exhibit space will be dedicated to the latest innovations in materials, containers and converting machinery. RFID PAVILION: The Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Pavilion will again highlight solutions that meet the requirements of the entire supply chain. Included in the exhibits will be technologies to upgrade conventional lines into RFID-enabled packaging lines capable of applying multi-pack, case and pallet tags online. Also view the latest advances designed to verify the presence of tags, write to the tags and validate data on the tags. WHEN: October 29 - November 2, 2006 9 am to 5 pm Sunday through Wednesday 9 am to 2 pm Thursday WHERE: PACK EXPO International 2006 McCormick Place Convention Center Chicago, Illinois INFO: About PACK EXPO PACK EXPO International will focus on the latest developments in packaging technology and will showcase exhibitors' state-of-the-art advances in packaging machinery, converting machinery, materials, packages and containers, and components. The most prominent companies in the industry will be exhibiting and making product introductions at the show. PACK EXPO International is a biennial event (every other year)-ideal timing for important industry updates and new product technology. With 2,000 exhibitors covering over 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space, PACK EXPO International is the second largest tradeshow and the largest packaging tradeshow in the Western Hemisphere. Sponsored by the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), the show will attract more than 50,000 attendees, including over 6,000 international visitors from more than 75 countries. For more information about PACK EXPO International 2006, visit http://www.packexpo.com/. About PMMI 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 http://www.pmmi.org/ for more information. Contact: Angie White 303-918-2787