Registrations for the inaugural Australasian Processing and Packaging Expo (APPEX) 2024 are now open, with the country’s largest expo for the processing and packaging sector running from 12-15 March, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Run by the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA), APPEX is replacing the packaging focused AUSPAK exhibition. Building on AUSPAK’s 35-year history, APPEX will be 50 per cent bigger, adding the processing industry into the four-day showcase.
APPMA Chair Mark Dingley said the new event – to be held every three years – would bring together the best in processing and machinery as well as ancillary equipment, materials, and packaging.
“It is a showcase of the total processing and packaging sector with a focus on the latest technology and best practice. It is an unprecedented opportunity for knowledge exchange delivered by industry, for industry.
“This will be the largest B2B trade show for our industry ever to be held in Australia with the widest range of working machinery on the floor,” Dingley said.
The focus at this first APPEX will be sustainability, efficiency, and automation with leading manufacturers from Australia and New Zealand on the show floor.
Exhibitors will showcase the latest equipment, technology and innovation in machinery, ancillary equipment, automation, materials and packaging, logistics, robotics, food processing, and industry services.
“For manufacturers looking to boost their production lines through new machinery, automation and technology, this is the place to be,” Dingley said.
APPEX 2024 is set to take over all 20 bays of the MCEC and will be divided into zones to help attendees find products and services of interest to them. The event will offer new networking areas including food and beverage hubs and APPEX restaurants, designed to allow visitors and exhibitors to connect, network and to enjoy their day at the event.
A series of educational initiatives and opportunities will be run, including Meat Industry Day, led by a collaboration of partners comprising the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC), Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC), and Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).
There will also be food and beverage-focussed sessions as part of the Food Industry Solution Series and presentations from Robotics Australia exploring the role and future of robotics in processing and packaging.
Celebrating excellence
APPEX 2024 will culminate in the Awards of Excellence gala dinner, hosted by APPMA, on Wednesday, 13March.
Dingley said the national awards program recognises excellence, innovation, leadership, and best practice in the Australian packaging and processing industry.
“The gala dinner, expected to host more than 700 industry guests, is very much the ‘event of the year’ for our industry and everyone involved,” Dingley said.
He added that APPMA membership increased 40 per cent over the past two years and continues to grow.
“APPEX 2024 will build on that momentum and will prove to be a platform for accelerated growth and innovation propelling our industry, and our country, further forward,” he said.
To register or for more information visit APPEX 2024.
Yaffa media titles PKN Packaging News, Food & Drink Business, and Print 21 are proud to be media sponsors of APPEX 24. For all APPEX news on Food & Drink Business, bookmark this link.
