Expo Pack México concluded on June 8 as the largest event in its 32-year history, with over 1,000 exhibitors occupying more than 19,700 net square meters (212,000 net square feet) of Expo Santa Fe, according to show producer, PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. The PMMI Pavilion also set a new standard with 100 member companies across 2,950 net square meters, 18% larger than the 2016 show.

"We had a fantastic show from start to finish," says Steve Dilts, business development manager, Encoder Products Company. "My fingers were sore from scanning so many quality leads."

The largest packaging and processing event in Latin America, Expo Pack México's Santa Fe location allowed easy access to over 23,000 prospective buyers from the nearby Mexican states of Puebla, Guanajuato, Estado de México, Queretaro and Morelos. With easy access to two international airports, international attendees arrived from throughout Latin America, including targeted buying groups from Guatemala, Costa Rica and Colombia.

"Attendees have come to expect innovation and the latest technology from Expo Pack México, and it continues to exceed all of our admittedly high expectations," says Jim Pittas, PMMI president and CEO.

Gruma, headquartered in San Pedro, Mexico, is the largest manufacturer of tortillas in the world and makes sure to send a full buying contingent to both Expo Pack México and Expo Pack Guadalajara. "Expo Pack México not only allows us to see what is new and innovative but, as a regular visitor, we have established relationships with exhibitors that we now do business with," says Gruma's Juan Enrique Rollas, maintenance and packaging manager.

Rollas' colleague Camerino Parra echoed these sentiments, adding that it is essential to see the newest innovations in person. Relationships are a prominent theme at Expo Pack México with exhibitors noting that partnerships often begin with meetings at previous editions of the show.

"[Expo Pack México] is a very classy show," says Paul Chambers, vice president of sales and marketing for Valco Melton. "It's crucial for establishing and building relationships with current and future customers."

The show once again featured international pavilions from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Spain and the US, and had exhibitors representing 20 countries.

With the Mexican marketplace embracing sustainable packaging and processing more than ever before, Expo Pack México exhibitors participating in the ninth edition of the Expo Pack Verde program numbered 180.

In addition to technology and innovation, Expo Pack  México brought free educational offerings to attendees. The Innovation Stage's 30-minute seminars each day focused on significant real-world industry trends while the Mexican Association of Packaging (AMEE) Conference addressed printing and coding, flexible packaging, packaging innovation and the supply chain.

Robotics safety training made its Mexico debut at Expo Pack México as the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) offered "Industrial Robot Safety Training." The course provided an overview of the applicable standards for safety in cells with industrial robots according to the ISO 10218-1, ISO 10218-2. The seminar received positive reviews with engaged students actively participating throughout the training.

"Automation has emerged as one of the top considerations driving machinery purchasing decisions in Mexico," says Gerardo Barajas, Expo Pack México director. "This training created an opportunity to ensure the safe integration of advanced technologies into in-plant operations."

Expo Pack México also hosted Packaging Week, organized by the Mexican Association of Packaging (AMEE). AMEE conducted its National Congress, a complete program of conferences and the Envase Estelar Awards program.