Lacerta is heading to Chicago for PACK EXPO 2026!

PACK EXPO is one of our favorite yearly events; it's a great opportunity to reconnect with industry colleagues, make new acquaintances, learn about exciting technologies, and keep up with the latest developments related to all things packaging.

We created this guide to give attendees a one-stop shop for all the info they need to get the most out of their trip to Chicago for PACK EXPO.

Keep reading for travel tips, restaurant recommendations, event details, and much more!

What Is PACK EXPO, and What Should You Expect This Year?

PACK EXPO International 2026 is an event where the entire packaging and processing industry comes together under one roof. More than 2,700 exhibitors will showcase their latest technologies and solutions, while an expected 48,000 professionals from over 40 industries will gather to exchange ideas and make new connections.

The show floor doubles as a rapid-fire classroom, with 150+ free educational sessions led by industry experts. Beyond the booths and presentations, a packed slate of networking events creates plenty of opportunities to spark new partnerships.

When and Where Is PACK EXPO Chicago?

PACK EXPO International 2026 will take place October 18–21 at McCormick Place Convention Center, right on Lake Michigan in Chicago, with exhibits spanning the North, South, and West Buildings and Lakeside Center.

Show hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday and 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Wednesday.

McCormick Place
2301 S. King Drive
Chicago, IL 60616
[Google Maps Link]

PACK EXPO Show Floor Hours

• Sunday, October 18, 2026: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Monday, October 19, 2026: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Tuesday, October 20, 2026: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Wednesday, October 21, 2026: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

All times are Central Time.

You can find the full event schedule for PACK EXPO 2026 here.

Special Events

PACK EXPO 2026 offers a selection of special networking events throughout the show.

• Young Professionals Networking Reception: Sunday, October 18, from 7:30–9:30 p.m. at the Game Room at Chicago Athletic Association. This free event offers food, drinks, and a chance to meet fellow young professionals. RSVP is requested.
• PACK gives BACK™ featuring Third Eye Blind: Monday, October 19, at House of Blues Chicago. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the performance begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets include general admission, beer, wine, and light hors d’oeuvres. Proceeds benefit the PMMI Foundation. Sold out.
• Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network Breakfast: Tuesday, October 20, from 7:30–9:00 a.m. at McCormick Place. Connect with packaging and processing professionals and hear from keynote speaker Col. Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.), the first woman pilot to fly with the Thunderbirds.
• Confectionery Industry Reception: Tuesday, October 20, from 4:00–5:30 p.m. at the Candy Bar Lounge in the Confectionery Pavilion. Meet others in the confectionery industry over happy hour. No RSVP is required.

Who Attends PACK EXPO And Why It’s Worth Attending for Industry Professionals

PACK EXPO International draws an incredible mix of industry leaders, with an expected 48,000 professionals from over 40 vertical markets and 2,700+ exhibitors filling the halls this year. Attendees include corporate leaders, plant managers, engineers, and procurement professionals, making the show a rare chance to see the latest technology in action, learn from experts, and connect directly with decision-makers.

So far, this year’s event has sold over 1,300,000 square feet of event space, a fact that shows how much there is to see and do. As the chart based on previous years’ events below shows, the event brings together a diverse mix of engineers, executives, procurement leaders, and professionals from just about every other job function in the industry.

Donut chart showing PACK EXPO attendee roles: 38% senior management, 21% engineering, 9% sales, 9% operations, 7% plant, 6% procurement, 5% design, 3% logistics, and 2% other. Source

Based on our team’s past experiences, PACK EXPO is a consistently outstanding event for anyone focused on staying competitive in packaging and processing. It’s one event that proves its worth every trip.

How Much Does PACK EXPO Cost To Attend?

Registration for PACK EXPO International is straightforward, with a significant discount if you sign up on or before October 2. Your registration includes access to the exhibits and educational sessions on the show floor.

Who Qualifies?

Attendees include end-users, non-exhibiting suppliers, contract packagers, distributors, and retailers in the packaging or processing industry. Students and media can also register under special categories, while exhibitors must register through their company booth login.

Must-See Speakers and Sessions

This year’s show features a deep lineup of free educational sessions spanning sustainability, innovation, and industry trends. Here are a few real examples that illustrate the breadth and depth of programming available.

Sustainability Central

Design for Recyclability is Required by Law. Are You Ready?

• Mon, Oct 19, 10:00–10:30 AM | Sustainability Central (W-52060)

• Practical tools for assessing plastic packaging recyclability and preparing for changing design requirements.

Advancing the Circular Economy: How Collaboration Delivers Value

• Mon, Oct 19, 2:00–2:30 PM | Sustainability Central (W-52060)

• How closer collaboration between packaging suppliers and brands can support sustainability goals while keeping products protected.

Innovation

The ROI Is Already There: How to Pay for End-of-Line Automation with Operational Gains

• Sunday, October 18, 1:30–2:00 PM | Innovation Stage 3 (N-4585).

• A panel examines how automation can address labor challenges, improve pack-count accuracy, and protect products, with examples that connect operational improvements to ROI.

Predictive Models for Smarter Results: One Digital Workflow for Blow Molding

• Monday, October 19, 11:00–11:30 AM | Innovation Stage 2 (N-4580).

• How integrated simulation can reduce design iterations, support lightweighting, and evaluate material performance before physical prototyping.

Industry Speaks

Label Ready: Navigating Ever-Evolving Food Label Regulations

• Sun, Oct 18, 2:30–3:00 PM | Industry Speaks Stage (N-4544)
• How food manufacturers keep pace with changing labeling requirements and coordinate compliance with suppliers and co-packers.

Spec It Right: What Smart Equipment Buyers Do Before the First Quote

• Wed, Oct 21, 12:30–1:00 PM | Industry Speaks Stage (N-4544)
• A buyer’s guide to evaluating equipment ownership costs, sanitary design, and certifications before signing a purchase order.

These selections just scratch the surface: PACK EXPO offers well over 150 free sessions across multiple stages, ensuring there’s something for everyone seeking both inspiration and actionable takeaways.

Explore the full session schedule for PACK EXPO 2026 here.

How To Make the Most of Your Time at PACK EXPO

With four days and an incredible variety of sessions, attendee booths, and pavilions to explore, you’ll get the most out of this event by planning ahead, prioritizing your time, and taking advantage of free tools offered by the conference.

Choose Your Company Representative, and Register for the Event

Decide early who from your team will attend and make sure registration is complete well in advance. Having a designated representative ensures your company’s priorities are covered on the show floor and avoids last-minute complications with access.

Book Travel and Lodging

With tens of thousands of attendees in Chicago for the show, hotels fill up quickly. PACK EXPO has negotiated discounted rates through Expovision, the show’s official housing partner. The official booking page is the easiest place to start comparing accommodations.

Rates and availability are subject to change, but booking through Expovision provides access to negotiated discounts and free shuttle service to McCormick Place. All official hotels are on or near a show shuttle route.

Use the official hotel map to compare locations and plan your stay.

The list below provides a quick reference of hotel options. Explore the full hotel list and check current rates through Expovision.

Research Sessions

With more than 150 free on-floor sessions, it’s worth planning your schedule in advance. The PACK EXPO session gallery makes it easy to filter by topic, date, or stage.

Survey the Venue Ahead of Time

McCormick Place is massive, and PACK EXPO spans the North, South, and West Buildings and Lakeside Center. Reviewing the layout before you arrive helps you plan efficient routes between exhibitors, sessions, and amenities. Use the official overview map below to get familiar with the campus and locate your priority stops before your first day.

Overview map of PACK EXPO Chicago showing Lakeside, North, West, and South Halls, nearby hotels, parking lots, shuttle routes, walking paths, and transit options like Metra, ride share, and taxis. Source

Utilize PACK EXPO’s Digital Resources

PACK EXPO’s digital tools help save time while planning to get the most out of your time at the show. The My Show Planner app helps you save sessions, schedule meetings, and build a personalized calendar you can carry on your phone. For example, you can browse Lacerta’s event profile here to save our booth information.

Make Dinner Reservations Ahead of Time

Chicago is a bustling metropolis that fills up even more quickly during major conventions, and popular restaurants book out fast. Secure your dinner plans early to avoid last-minute stress and check out our restaurant suggestions below for ideas.

Schedule Networking Opportunities In Advance

One of the easiest ways to get more out of PACK EXPO is by being thoughtful about networking before you arrive. Scouting the list of registered exhibitors can help you identify priority connections, and having a few meetings on the calendar makes the show feel more manageable. It also helps to carry business cards and use the pauses between sessions for quick introductions.

If you’re interested in packaging innovations, consider stopping by to see Lacerta at Booth # W-35066. You are welcome to reach out to plan a chat ahead of time.

We are also proud to be featured in the packaging innovation booth, which will showcase innovative new solutions and worldwide design contest winners.

Getting To, From, and Around McCormick Place

Plan how you’ll get between your hotel, the airport, and McCormick Place before you arrive. PACK EXPO provides free hotel shuttles and Metra Electric access, along with information on airport transfers, rideshare pickups, and parking. Learn more in the official travel resource hub here.

Airport Transportation Tips

Chicago has two major airports: O’Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW). Transportation options include the “L” Chicago Transit Authority train (CTA Blue Line from O’Hare, the CTA Orange Line from Midway), taxis, rideshare services, and paid GO Airport Express transfers.

Ride Share and Taxi Tips

Uber and Lyft pickup areas are located at the South and West Buildings. The main taxi pickup is at the South Building, Gate 4. Follow signs to the designated pickup areas when arranging your ride.

Tips for Getting Around Chicago and McCormick Place

There are multiple options for getting to the venue from your hotel:

1. Utilize the Free Hotel Shuttles: Complimentary shuttles connect official hotels with McCormick Place, dropping off at all buildings and picking up at South, Lakeside, and West. Check the shuttle schedule. For ADA transportation, call 1.725.777.5998 at least 20 minutes before pickup.
   
   
2. Ride the Metra Electric Line for Free: Show visitors receive free access to this line, which connects downtown Chicago directly with McCormick Place. Get the event’s free Metra pass here.
   
   
3. Reserve Parking Ahead: PACK EXPO warns that most campus lots fill by 9 am. If you plan to drive, review parking options and reserve ahead.

Understand the Pavilions: “Shows Within the Show”

PACK EXPO International 2026 organizes its incredible breadth of exhibitors into seven targeted pavilions and zones, making it easy to explore specific innovations in one concentrated area of the show floor. Here’s what you can expect to find:

• Containers and Materials Pavilion (West Building): Explore rigid and flexible packaging, lightweight formats, and recyclable, compostable, and mono-material options. It’s the place to find materials and containers that support sustainability goals, protect products, improve convenience, and strengthen shelf appeal.

• Healthcare Packaging Pavilion (West Building): This pavilion focuses on packaging needs across life sciences, including pharmaceuticals, biologics, nutraceuticals, and medical devices. Attendees will find sterile packaging, inspection, traceability, and cold-chain solutions designed to protect products and support regulatory compliance.

• Reusable Packaging Pavilion (Lakeside Center, Upper Level): Find reusable pallets, totes, bins, and crates alongside cleaning, tracking, and reverse-logistics services. A dedicated learning center offers expert insights, while the new Next-Gen Reuse Corridor highlights consumer reuse and refill systems.

• Food & Beverage Processing Zone (Lakeside Center, Upper Level): Explore technologies for mixing, batching, forming, inspection, and thermal processing. This zone brings together equipment and expertise to improve food safety, production consistency, throughput, and line reliability.

• Confectionery Pavilion (South Building): Focused on candy and snack production, this pavilion features specialized technologies for batch refining, shaping, enrobing, cooling, and portioning. Attendees can also explore easy-open and resealable packaging or connect with colleagues at the Candy Bar Lounge.

• Logistics Pavilion (North Building): Dedicated to supply chain efficiency, this pavilion features solutions for warehousing, fulfillment, inventory management, material handling, and transportation. Explore tools and services that help products move reliably from production through delivery.

• PACKage Printing Pavilion (West Building): Discover digital printing, coding, marking, labeling, and converting technologies. Solutions support short runs, personalization, printing accuracy, and traceability, giving brands more flexibility in how they produce and customize packaging

The Best Places To Grab Food or Drink Near the Venue

McCormick Place sits south of downtown Chicago, with South Loop restaurants nearby and Chinatown to the west. For the closest sit-down options, start around Cermak Road and Michigan Avenue, just west of the West Building. For dinner downtown, take advantage of the show’s hotel shuttles or free Metra Electric access.

PACK EXPO’s Chicago guide provides a broader introduction to the city’s dining neighborhoods. These three options are practical starting points:

1. A Nearby Dinner with Colleagues: Apolonia | At 105 East Cermak Road, this contemporary Mediterranean restaurant is a convenient choice near the West Building. Seasonal dishes, wood-fired cooking, and a full beverage selection make it a good fit for a sit-down meal after the show without heading downtown. Google Maps Link
2. Dim Sum and Shared Plates in Chinatown: MingHin Cuisine | The Chinatown location at 2168 South Archer Avenue serves Cantonese dishes and dim sum, giving groups plenty of options to share. It’s a great choice for a team dinner a short ride west of the convention center. Be sure to select the Chinatown location when booking. Google Maps Link
3. Dinner and Drinks Downtown: The Gage | Near Millennium Park at 24 South Michigan Avenue, this lively restaurant has a great view of Millennium Park and a classic Chicago gastropub feel that combines familiar options such as burgers and fish and chips with cocktails, beer, and wine. Keep it in mind for dinner with clients or colleagues when you’re heading back toward downtown hotels. Google Maps Link

When possible, reserve ahead for group dinners during show week.

Must-See Attractions Before You Go

Museum Campus on the Lakefront

Just north of McCormick Place, Museum Campus brings together the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium along Lake Michigan. Pick one for a longer visit, or simply explore the lakefront paths and head toward the Adler for sweeping skyline views. This is an easy area to build into an extra morning or afternoon in Chicago.

Explore Museum Campus and its attractions.

Millennium Park and the Loop

Farther north, downtown’s sights are clustered around Millennium Park: stop by Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), explore the Art Institute just south of the park, or visit the nearby Chicago Cultural Center. It’s a flexible area for a quick sightseeing stop before dinner or a longer museum visit if you’re extending your stay.

Explore the Loop’s attractions.

The Riverwalk

Continue north to the Chicago River for waterfront walks, striking architecture, and easy access to restaurants across the river in River North. The Riverwalk works well as a stroll before dinner; with more time, an architecture cruise offers a guided look at the buildings lining the water. Check cruise schedules for your travel dates and bring a layer for October weather.

Explore the Chicago Riverwalk.

Final Thoughts: Is PACK EXPO Worth Attending?

In our experience, the answer is a resounding yes. Here’s why:

1. Unmatched industry access: PACK EXPO brings together the largest gathering of packaging and processing professionals in North America, making it the single best place to connect with peers, partners, and industry leaders.
2. Innovation at every corner: From creative sustainability initiatives to cutting-edge automation, the show floor is packed with solutions that can transform your operations and spark new ideas.
3. A strategic investment: Between the networking, education, and exposure to emerging technologies, attending PACK EXPO is a sound investment in the future of your business and a great team bonding experience for attendees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many People Attend PACK EXPO?

PACK EXPO International 2026 expects 48,000 professionals from more than 40 industries, alongside 2,700+ exhibitors. Explore the official event website for more information.

Can You Film at PACK EXPO?

Unauthorized photography and video recording are prohibited. You must obtain an exhibitor’s permission before photographing or filming their exhibit. Cameras and recording devices are not permitted in educational sessions.

Learn more from the official event FAQ here.

Where Is Badge Pickup at PACK EXPO International?

Bring your printed or digital registration confirmation to collect your badge at McCormick Place or a participating hotel. Your badge provides access to the exhibit halls throughout the four-day show.

Onsite at McCormick Place:

• West Building: Level 3
• North Building: Level 2, Room N-228
• Lakeside Lower: Level 2 Lobby

Pickup hours are 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, October 18–20, and 8:00 AM–3:00 PM, October 21.

Hotel Pickup Locations:

To save time and skip lines at the convention, you can collect your badge at select participating hotels, even if you’re staying elsewhere:

• Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
• Hilton Chicago
• Hyatt Regency Chicago
• Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
• Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel
• Marriott Marquis Chicago McCormick Place
• Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk

Hotel Pickup Hours:

• Saturday, October 17: Noon–8:00 PM
• Sunday, October 18: 7:00 AM–5:00 PM
• Monday, October 19: 7:00 AM–Noon
• Tuesday, October 20: 7:00 AM–11:00 AM

All times are Central Time. Find exact hotel pickup locations and full details here.

Does PACK EXPO Offer Virtual Seats?

PACK EXPO is an in-person event, and virtual attendance options are not available at this time.

Visit Lacerta at Booth W-35066

PACK EXPO Chicago 2026 is set to be one of the year’s most dynamic opportunities to explore packaging and processing innovation, connect with peers, and uncover solutions that can shape the future of your business.

While you’re on the show floor, don’t miss the chance to connect with Lacerta. Our team will be at Booth #W-35066, ready to showcase how our latest food packaging innovations can reduce plastic use and costs, all while helping your products stand out on the shelf.

Want to schedule time with us in advance? Visit our PACK EXPO event page to lock in a conversation with our team during the show.

We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!