I’ve been to my fair share of large tradeshows, but nothing compares to the massive square footage and impressive booth lineups that Pack Expo International 2010 offered.

Chock full of equipment, tools, materials, informative classes, resources and organizations and product innovations, Pack Expo has proven to betheplace to be for those involved in packaging.

There are booths that include huge machinery, running all day long, to do a myriad of packaging, filling, sealing, etc. The materials used are also showcased, which include the heavily flexible packaging-centric CPP Hall. Tucked in the Lakeside East Hall, the CPP show area is a major resource for anyone involved in the converting industry.

PMMI offered classes to provide attendees with information to arm themselves in future business dealings. 

But the gems of this show, in my opinion, are the resources that popped up throughout the show.

The Association Pavilion, located in the North Hall’s Concourse, was not to be missed. This Pavilion housed several industry associations, including the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA). FPA shared information about the manufacturing and supply capabilities of FPA members, and distributed information on the sustainability advantages of using flexible packaging. On display at the FPA booth were the2010 FPA Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards &a Innovation Showcase.

Another nice gem was the Brand Zone, which offered visitors a welcoming, bright anchor exhibit to visit, take a breather, and quietly contemplate the latest innovations in the industry. The Brand Zone included theShowcase of Packaging Innovations, sponsored byDow Chemical Co., which showed 19 packages from companies around the world. Also located in the Brand Zone wasProject 2020: The Consumer Experience, sponsored byDuPont, which displayed packaging trends that are likely mainstays within the next 10 years.

If you missed this year’s show, you can only be thankful that you didn’t have to fight through the crowds. I think I put in enough exercise to cover the following month just walking the 1 million net square foot show floor.

Just make sure you’re prepared for next year’sPack Expo 2011, in Las Vegas. Now that is going to be another great workout.

It seemed pretty clear to me that this wastheplace to be for anyone in packaging.