Last month, we announced a notable milestone for PACK EXPO International 2012 (McCormick Place, Chicago; Oct. 28–31): The 1 million net square feet (nsf) mark.

To date, we have more than 1,300 exhibitors. We expect that figure as well as the square footage to keep increasing, with expanded initiatives driving an expected attendee turnout that’s over 46,000.

There’s still plenty of time left until the doors open, but we’re already excited and optimistic about this year’s show. In 2012, we’re expanding on the theme of a Customer-Centric PACK EXPO, creating a show that feels tailored to any given attendee. The efforts begin with pre-show marketing and continue until the show is long over. We introduced this practice at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2011, and you’ll likely remember how well it worked. The show broke all its previous records.

In 2011, for instance, we launched networking lounges on the show floor. The Baking/Snack Break, The Candy Bar and the Pharma Lounge were places for those communities could networking. Innovation Stage presentations by exhibitors rounded out the lounges with show-floor educational opportunities.

Customer-centric pavilions will also be back in October; among them, NCA returns to sponsor the Confectionery Pavilion.

Educational Initiatives: Exhibitors and attendees will also notice the return of PACK EXPO’s familiar educational initiatives, including The Amazing Packaging Race, which will again be sponsored by ASCO Numatics.

Connecting to Communities 24/7/365: The PACK EXPO Connected Communities  are online and active, and can be accessed through Packexpo.com. You’ll experience them again at PACK EXPO 2012, where we’ll help the packaging and processing communities keep in touch with the industries they serve all year round.

We’re still 8 months out from show time in Chicago, but we’ve already put into action new and familiar show floor tactics. Watch this space, Just in Time and PMMI.org all year round, for updates on new initiatives as we get closer to October.

And let your customers know: Registration Opens in March for the best packaging and processing show in the business.