The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute and the Food Processing Machinery Association promise that the shows they sponsor, PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2005 and the co-located Food Processing Machinery Expo, respectively, will be bigger and more comprehensive than the 2003 event.

A whopping 1,200 exhibiting companies (including 900 PACK EXPO and 300 FPM exhibitors) will occupy more than 500,000 net square feet of exhibit space in the Las Vegas Convention Center from September 26 to 28, 2005. Some 19,000 international visitors are expected to check out the five technology pavilions, including some that will make their debut in this year's Las Vegas lineup.

Making its first appearance ever, the Contract Packaging Pavilion will showcase the latest contract packaging services available to consumer and industrial goods manufacturers who are looking for a project starting point or exploring the options provided by contract packaging partners.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas will also include popular pavilions from past shows. Originally featured during PACK EXPO International 2004, the RFID Pavilion will make its first Las Vegas appearance by highlighting supply chain solutions. Technologies to help packaging professionals advance beyond "slap and ship" to full packaging operations and integration of RFID/EPC will be on display.

Attendees can also visit the Packaging Security Pavilion to learn about technologies that guard against bioterrorism, package tampering, counterfeiting and product adulteration.

Contained in over 40,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, the Containers & Materials Pavilion will immerse visitors in materials, containers and converting machinery innovations. Pavilion visitors will get a first-hand glimpse of the latest in paperboard, glass, metal, plastic, flexible packaging and package-producing equipment.

The Showcase of Packaging Innovations will feature winners of the ClearChoice and AmeriStar Awards, as well as finalists of the National Paperboard Packaging Competition.

Sharing space and a similar theme, the Food Processing Machinery Expo 2005 will focus on all the newest developments in processing technology. Exhibitors will demonstrate processing technologies in the fruit and vegetable, beverage, fresh produce, prepared foods, meat, bakery, confectionary, grain mill/cereal, dairy and snack food industries.

Still need more information? The conference at PACK EXPO will feature a range of presentations covering RFID technology, the latest FDA packaging regulation initiatives under the Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act and trends in food cans, closures, meat and poultry trays and glass packaging. These and other educational programs will run Monday, September 26 through Wednesday, September 28.

The Show at a Glance

PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2005 and Food Processing Machinery Expo 2005

When: September 26-September 28, 2005

Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

Exposition Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Monday through Wednesday.

Registration Fee: Advanced registration on or before

September 8, $25.00; On-site registration, $50.00 (fee

includes admittance to both shows).

Conference Fees: Advanced registration on or before

September 8, $55.00 per session; On-site registration

$75.00 per session.

For more information: www.packexpo.com or www.foodprocessingmachinery.com