Southeast Pack launches in Atlanta

Atlanta – PMMI: The Packaging and Processing Technology Association launched Pack Expo to the Southeast at the World Congress Center in Georgia from March 10-12, 2025, continuing its record of building and evolving Pack Expo activities to meet regional needs.

The Southeast of Pack Expo reported 9,500 participants, 504 exhibitors and 115,000 square feet and served more than 40 vertical markets, including food and beverage, medicine and automobiles.

“The show is a huge opportunity to bring the industry to areas in the country that are not currently brought together by trade fairs,” said Laura Thompson, vice president of PMMI Trade Fairs. “We found that 80% of attendees at our other regional fairs would not be attending the larger Pack Expo program, and we expect similar results to the Atlanta Fair. The goal of these regional events is to introduce Pack Expo to a brand new audience.”

Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee are the best states for the show’s inauguration, accounting for 64% of its total visitors.

PMMI’s portfolio is with the Southeast Pack Expo, which includes Pack Expo International, Expo Pack Guadalajara, Pack Las Vegas, Pack Expo East and Expo Pack Mexico. Thompson shared that all versions of Pack Expo are growing steadily, which shows that PMMI’s regional strategy is working.

Organizational success

PMMI and the Atlanta Conference and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) began working together two years before the event began.

“From the selection of strategic suppliers and custom collateral to personalized venue visits to showcase the World Congress Centers in Atlanta and Georgia, our team acts as an extension of PMMI, ensuring a seamless and passionate experience,” said Charlene Lopez, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer.

PMMI leverages existing and new partnerships with regional organizations such as chapters in Georgia Women’s Manufacturing to attract new attendees.

Thompson added that the breadth and depth of the show, viable education, network opportunities such as its packaging and handling of women’s leadership networks and young professional activities have contributed to its success.

“The feedback we received from exhibitors and attendees was very positive,” Thompson explained. “People aren’t just walking in the showroom—they have real conversations, see live demonstrations and build solid business connections. That’s exactly what we hoped for in our debut at Southeast Pack Expo.”

According to Lopez, Atlanta is the main meeting destination for organizers looking to break into the area.

“Our unparalleled connectivity, the Hutsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will drive 80% of the U.S. population into a two-hour flight, ensuring easy access,” Lopez said. “Once we come here, attendees will appreciate our highly walking convention and entertainment district designed for convenient navigation…but Atlanta is not only a destination; it is a vibrant, growing city. Our downtown area is undergoing a transformation, with a $950 million transformation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup full development, making it an even more compelling event.”

Looking to the future

“We certainly look forward to the Southeast Expo 2027,” Thompson said. “The manufacturing sector in the Southeast is expected to experience continued growth, and we will remain close to the requirements of the region, constantly adjusting the exhibition to best serve the industry and bring critical resources to the companies that need them.

“Before that, we will shift our focus to the Las Vegas Expo (which will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from September 29 to October 1), where attendees can continue to interact with the future of packaging and processing.”

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