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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
|
Registration Type |
On or Before Oct 2, 2026 |
After Oct 2, 2026 |
| Exhibit Hall Access (In-Person) | $30 | $130 |
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.
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)
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.
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
Spec It Right: What Smart Equipment Buyers Do Before the First Quote
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.
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.
|
Hotel |
Distance to McCormick Place |
Reference Rate |
|
The Midland Hotel, Chicago, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel |
2.9 miles |
$340 |
|
Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago |
2.9 miles |
$363 |
|
Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/N Loop/Michigan Ave |
3.0 miles |
$276 |
|
Kimpton Gray Hotel |
3.0 miles |
$353 |
|
Hyatt Regency Chicago |
3.0 miles |
$358 |
|
Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel |
3.1 miles |
$370 |
|
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk |
3.1 miles |
$379 |
|
The Wade |
3.3 miles |
$321 |
|
Hotel EMC2, Autograph Collection |
3.4 miles |
$321 |
|
The Chicago Hotel Collection - Magnificent Mile |
3.6 miles |
$241 |
|
Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown/River North |
3.6 miles |
$324 |
|
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago |
3.9 miles |
$447 |
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:
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
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:
When possible, reserve ahead for group dinners during show week.
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.
In our experience, the answer is a resounding yes. Here’s why:
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:
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:
Hotel Pickup Hours:
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.
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!
