With only four days to go, anticipation is reaching fever pitch for APPEX 2024, Australasia's new processing and packaging trade event, which opens its doors in Melbourne next week to showcase innovation from 440-plus exhibitors, including 150 international suppliers.
At last it is almost here. The much talked about, inaugural APPEX event will be staged from 12-15 March at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Show attendees – both local and overseas – can visit the 400-plus exhibitors representing hundreds of global brands on the show floor, offering solutions that address a range of industry trends and key themes – sustainability, efficiency and automation.
From an exhibitor point of view, the show is 100 per cent sold out, with registrations still open for visitors, and tracking well to fill the halls with decision-makers from across the industry. It's a tremendous result, delivered through a well-coordinated effort by the show organiser Exhibitions &Trade Fairs (ETF), starting from the moment APPEX was launched at AUSPACK back in 2022.
For show owner, the Australian Packaging & Processing Machinery Association (APPMA), this is a clear vindication of its decision to create the new event.
APPMA CEO Michael Moran said, "We are very excited about what APPEX 24 will deliver. The response and support from our members, alliance partners and the broader industry encouraging APPMA to take the opportunity and develop ‘one show for the industry, run by the industry’ has been exceptional.
"Selling out the event with over 400 exhibitors and 60 per cent larger than our previous AUSPACK speaks for itself. Engaging and listening to our members and the broader industry has resulted in APPEX 24 incorporating unique features, activities, services and events, which combined will enhance the value and experience of exhibitors, visitors and industry partners. A show not to be missed by anyone involved in the processing and packaging industry."
There is much on offer to the 12,000+ visitors expected to visit the MCEC for the four-day action packed event, including the Gala Dinner where the APPMA Awards of Excellence will be presented. Another highlight is the APPEX Women in Processing & Packaging event, a morning forum from 9-11am on 13 March, that has a small cover charge of $25 to be donated to the Good Friday Appeal. Register here.
Education will be a strong focus, with several in-depth forums on the go in the Seminar Theatre, including the Food Industry Solution Series, the International Packaging Press Organisation Packaging Perspectives: Global Trends & Tech forum, the Meat Industry Day sessions, as well as daily presentations on the Matthews Retailer Engagement Hub (Stand C045), the ecoporium by Ball & Doggett live experience (Stand B020), and the Sustainability Corner on the Result Group stand which will include a range of information and resources from organisations including End Food Waste, APCO and AIP (Stand E030).
INDUSTRY'S NIGHT OF NIGHTS
Tickets for the APPMA 2024 Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner, to be held on the evening of 13 March, can still be purchased here.
The finalists for the APPMA Awards have been announced, and anticipation is mounting to find out who the winners are. The awards have broadened for 2024, seeking out and recognising industry innovation, and celebrating success across a wide spectrum of the packaging and processing industry.
If you still need persuasion to attend, another drawcard is MC and entertainer, Tim Campbell. Star of stage and screen, Campbell has played leading roles on TV shows Home and Away, House Husbands, Big Sky, Dead Gorgeous and a host of national prime time shows, as well as stage shows Wicked, Rent and Shout.
OPTIMISE YOUR MEDIA COVERAGE
As media partner to APPEX, PKN will be exhibiting at the show on stand B095, together with sister media brands Food & Drink Business and Print21. A highlight on the stand will be the live PKN Podcast studio, where we'll be recording short livestream conversations at APPEX, speaking to visitors and exhibitors about their APPEX experience and innovation on the show floor.
To book a podcast session, contact Sharon Amos on sharonamos@yaffa.com.au.
The PKN team will also be filming live video interviews and posting daily updates to deliver a continuous news feed to the Australian packaging and processing industry.
To find out more about opportunities still available in the APPEX show report issue of PKN, contact Sharon Amos.
