Reston, Va.-based PMMI’s Pack Expo Las Vegas 2015 will take place Sept. 28-30 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Earlier this year, the association for packaging and processing technologies announced that the show will be co-located with the newly created Pharma Expo, produced in partnership with the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE).

The event will bring together more than 2,000 exhibitors showcasing their processing and packaging innovations to 30,000 attendees in more than 800,000 net square-feet of exhibit space, the association says. Pack Expo and Pharma Expo 2015 will help manufacturers from more than 40 market segments capitalize on current growth by providing access to the latest solutions for enhancing the efficiency, flexibility, automation, sustainability and productivity of their supply chains, it adds.

To help attendees make the most of their time at the co-located events, Pack Expo Las Vegas and Pharma Expo 2015 will include a variety of customer-centric features designed to direct them to the technologies they need.

Pavilions include The Processing Zone, a hub for processing innovations, and The Brand Zone, a showcase for materials and containers to shape brands. Attendees from the baking and snack, and beverage and confectionery sectors can network with peers and suppliers at their respective industry-specific lounges — The Baking–Snack Break, The Candy Bar and The Beverage Cooler, which will be endorsed by the International Society of Beverage Technologists (ISBT).

“This is the fourth time we’ve provided resources at The Beverage Cooler Lounge,” said Larry Hobbs, executive director of ISBT, in a statement. “We know the value it provides our members and other beverage industry professionals.  Having a dedicated space on the show floor where they can network and learn the latest trends in the marketplace allows them to make the most of their Pack Expo experience.”

Charles D. Yuska, president and chief executive officer of PMMI, added: “We’re very pleased ISBT is hosting The Beverage Cooler Lounge again. One of PMMI’s missions is to convene the industry, and The Beverage Cooler Lounge at Pack Expo Las Vegas allows us to do that for beverage industry professionals. The lounge provides them a hub to not only network, but to speak with experts face-to-face to devise solutions for any problems they may have.”

Additionally, ISBT will host a reception for the beverage industry from 3:30 to 5 p.m., Sept. 29 in The Beverage Cooler Lounge to give ISBT members and attendees in the beverage industry the opportunity to network, share their experiences at the show and discuss industry challenges and developments.

“Connecting OEMs and CPGs is just one of the goals of Pack Expo and we’re excited to be the networking hub for the beverage industry,” Yuska said.

Hobbs added: “The reception is an important part of ISBT’s presence at Pack Expo Las Vegas because it gives everyone a chance to connect beyond the show floor hours and provides an extension of the show to do valuable networking. We’ve found this event to be particularly beneficial to those who are new to the industry, as it provides them with time to speak to longtime ISBT members.”

Also returning this year, the Contract Packaging Association (CPA) will host the Contract Packaging Sourcing Center. The Contract Packaging Sourcing Center will be part of the Partner Pavilion in Pack Expo’s Central Hall and will showcase the core competencies of 16 contract packagers.

Yuska described the display as a connection point. “The Contract Packaging Sourcing Center is one example of how Pack Expo and Pharma Expo connect brands with top-tier solutions providers for their manufacturing operations,” he said. “It’s a clear starting point for attendees investigating contract packaging as an option, whether they are launching a new product, planning a seasonal packaging campaign or looking for new efficiencies.”

Representatives at the Contract Packaging Sourcing Center will offer insight on how to find and utilize a contract packager, said John Mazelin, executive director of the CPA. “CPA members know that at Pack Expo, they will connect with brands hungry to innovate and technology providers who can help them bring their contract packaging business to the next level,” he said. “That’s why we launched the Contract Packaging Sourcing Center last year and why we’re bringing it back for Pack Expo Las Vegas and Pharma Expo 2015.”

CPA will provide additional guidance in its Innovation Stage session at 3 p.m. Sept. 29. in “What You Don’t Know Can HELP You — The Benefits of Contract Packaging,” a CPA representative will explain the variety of capabilities contract packagers and contract manufacturers can bring to a partnership with a brand owner. The Innovation Stage is located in the Central Hall, adjacent to the Association Pavilion.

 Also returning this year, The Food Safety Summit Resource Center, organized and brought to you by the Food Safety Summit. The Food Safety Summit Resource Center, a regular Pack Expo feature since 2010, brings together experts in food production and food safety for a series of educational opportunities. Subject matter experts will provide information focused on best practices and recent advances on the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) as well as important topics including HACCP, food fraud, federal and state regulations, environmental monitoring, allergens, and compliance issues.