From rapidly evolving technologies and operational efficiency to sustainability, food safety, and supply chain challenges, packaging and processing professionals are navigating an increasingly complex business environment. At PACK EXPO International 2026 (Oct. 18–21; McCormick Place, Chicago), more than 150 free educational sessions will give attendees direct access to industry experts and practical strategies they can apply to their operations.
Education takes place directly on the show floor across five destinations: the Innovation Stage, Food & Beverage Processing Innovation Stage, Industry Speaks, Sustainability Central, and the Reusable Packaging Learning Center.
The sessions complement the scale of PACK EXPO International, where 48,000 attendees from 40+ vertical markets will explore solutions from over 2,700 exhibitors across 1.3 million net square feet of exhibit space. Together, live equipment demonstrations and expert-led education give attendees an opportunity to examine both the technologies transforming packaging and processing and the strategies behind their implementation.
“PACK EXPO International gives attendees a unique opportunity to see the latest technologies in action while learning directly from the experts driving our industry forward,” says Laura Thompson, vice president, trade shows, PMMI. “With more than 150 free sessions taking place right on the show floor, attendees can gain practical insights on the trends and challenges impacting their businesses today and walk away with ideas they can put into action.”
Where Can Attendees Discover the Latest Packaging and Processing Technologies?
The Innovation Stage features three stages offering 30-minute sessions where industry experts share breakthrough technologies, techniques, and solutions designed to help packaging and processing operations address today’s challenges and prepare for what’s ahead. Featured sessions include:
- Open, Connected, and Human-Centered: The Future of Industrial Operations
- Navigating Tariffs and Supply Chain Volatility with AI-Driven Planning
- From Labor Shortages to Line Stability: End-of-Line Automation Strategies for Manufacturers
What Trends Are Shaping Packaging and Processing Operations?
At Industry Speaks, experts from the PACK EXPO International Partner Program as well as leading consumer-packaged goods companies such as Amazon and Conagra Brands will address issues and trends affecting companies across industry verticals. Topics include sustainability, remote access, supply chain solutions, augmented reality, and operational efficiency with featured sessions such as:
- From Misalignment to Momentum: Advancing Sustainability Across OEM-CPG Partnership
- Amazon Transparency and GS1: Democratizing Unit-Level Serialization for Every Brand and Printer
- The Latest Trends in Robotics in the United States
How Are CPG Companies Advancing Packaging Sustainability?
Sustainability Central, presented by Packaging World and sponsored by EFP Engineered Foam Packaging, provides a dedicated destination for exploring packaging sustainability. Experts from companies advancing sustainability initiatives will share insights and approaches to help CPG firms evaluate opportunities and further their sustainability efforts. Featured sessions include:
- What Future-Ready Packaging Looks Like
- Protect the Product, Reduce the Footprint
- 2026: The Year EPR Stopped Being Optional
What Role Can Reusable Packaging Play in the Supply Chain?
At the Reusable Packaging Learning Center, sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association, attendees can explore how reusable packaging systems can improve material-handling performance, reduce operating costs, create new economic value, and lower environmental impacts throughout the supply chain. Featured sessions include:
- State of the Industry: Reusable Packaging and the Circular Solution – 10 Years Later
- The Automated Supply Chain Is Reusable
- Why Pharma is Reimagining Packaging: The Growing Role of Reusables in Modern Supply Chains
What Innovations Are Transforming Food and Beverage Processing?
The Food & Beverage Processing Innovation Stage focuses specifically on advances affecting food and beverage manufacturers. Sessions will explore topics including food safety, high-pressure pasteurization, sustainability, cleaning, and other developments influencing processing operations. Featured sessions include:
- The Proven Playbook to Protein Production
- Food Safe Facility Drainage Design
- Why Great Robotic Automation Begins with Great Vision
Each education destination offers sessions throughout the show, allowing attendees to build learning into their PACK EXPO International experience while exploring technologies and meeting suppliers on the show floor. In addition, sessions where small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) can find valuable information for their operations are identified by the SMB Friendly logo. Sessions focused on sustainability are marked with the PACK EXPO Green logo.
Attendees can view stage schedules online to plan their experience in advance.
Learn more about PACK EXPO International 2026 and register today at packexpointernational.com.