The packaging industry is going through some of its biggest changes in decades, driven in large part by an emphasis on sustainability initiatives and a push for extended producer responsibility. 2025 will offer no shortage of opportunities for professionals throughout packaging supply chains to come together to learn about the timeliest trends, including sustainable packaging solutions, recycling technology evolutions, CPG industry trends, end market niches like cannabis or cosmetics, as well as regional market updates.
Packaging Dive has compiled a list of notable packaging trade shows, conferences and other events that have set dates in 2025. We’ll enhance this list as more information on these or other events becomes available. Scroll down to see more details about each.
Which other events are you looking forward to in 2025? Let us know at [email protected].
Top packaging trade shows in 2025
WestPack
Feb. 4-5
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California
In 2025, the Informa Markets event will be co-located with the Sustainable Manufacturing Expo. “Why this strategic move? Sustainability isn't just a passing trend — it's the driving force reshaping the packaging industry,” the event website states. It aims to attract CPG professionals in the food and beverage space that are “under pressure to package sustainably.” It also notes that its host state is “at the forefront of environmental legislation,” including packaging EPR. The event’s scope also spans packaging for the cannabis and sterile medical device sectors, and it will cover packaging automation, printing and labeling.
The Packaging Conference
Feb. 10-12
InterContinental at Doral, Miami
The stated focus this year will be “the return to growth in consumer spending and the opportunities for packaging.” Additionally, given its location in the Miami area, “we will be featuring several presentations related to the Latin America packaging industry,” the website says. Organizers say attendees can also expect to learn about updated CPG targets, new reclaiming technologies for mechanical and chemical recycling, and technology changes for aluminum and paper packaging.
Luxe Pack Los Angeles
Feb. 12-13
LA Convention Center, Los Angeles
Organizers describe Luxe Pack as “the premier trade show for creative packaging.” 2024’s event had nearly 90 exhibitors and more than 5,000 attendees.
Polyethylene Films
Feb. 17-19
Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel, Tampa, Florida
Innovative technology and raw materials, the modern consumer’s packaging needs and circular economy practices are among the key topics to explore at this year's 22nd iteration of the event. An exhibition area will accompany industry experts' presentations.
Clemson Fresh
March 3-5
Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
The agenda for Clemson’s fifth annual Food Packaging & Sustainability Summit covers notable sustainability topics for fiber-based packaging, plastics and steel cans. It also has sessions, breakouts and workshops on biodegradable packaging, design considerations for compostability, and making the business case for sustainability. It’s slated to include a keynote from Sonoco CEO Howard Coker. Other speakers are lined up from Sustana, Printpack, LyondellBasell, Charter Next Generation and more.
Sustainability in Packaging US
March 5-7
Swissotel Chicago, Chicago
This sustainability-focused Smithers event has announced speakers from Medtronic, Seattle Public Utilities, Tillamook and other organizations for 2025.
Pack Expo Southeast
March 10-12
Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta
This is the first edition of Pack Expo in the Southeast, which show presenter PMMI intends to make an every-other-year event. It projects some 400 exhibiting companies and 7,000 professionals.
Plastics Recycling Conference
March 24-26
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland
The annual Resource Recycling conference convenes representatives from plastics processors, converters, brands and resin manufacturers, as well as government agencies, trade groups and other categories. Organizers typically expect more than 2,000 attendees and 200 companies exhibiting.
SPC Impact
April 28-May 1
Hyatt Regency, Seattle
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition describes this as its flagship spring event, open to members and non-members alike.
International Molded Fiber Association Annual Conference
April 30-May 2
Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, Miami
The 27th edition of this trade association annual event targets molded fiber packaging manufacturers, equipment suppliers and others to discuss the industry's advancements. In 2024, the conference highlighted molded fiber's market growth as a plastic replacement and innovations that are driving growth, such as dry molded fiber technology.
Luxe Pack New York
May 7-8
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York
Organizers say to expect more than 200 primary and secondary packaging suppliers at the East Coast version of this event. The 2024 event featured insights from Estée Lauder’s chief sustainability officer.
American Packaging Summit
May 13-14
Marriott Chicago O’Hare, Chicago
Organized by Generis, this event intends to be a discussion and networking hub for topics around packaging sustainability, design, innovation, materials and technology. It expects speakers from major CPGs and QSRs including Kellanova, PepsiCo, Mars, McDonald’s and more.
the[PACK]out
May 13-15
Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Coronado, California
This event is exclusively focused on convening healthcare packaging professionals. It will cover topics related to healthcare packaging materials and design, testing and inspection, process qualification and validation, sustainability and more.
EastPack
May 20-22
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York
The East Coast edition of the Informa Markets event describes itself as the “sourcing home” for packaging for numerous industries, including food and beverage, medical, cannabis and more.
Multilayer Flexible Packaging
May 21-22
Crowne Plaza Chicago West Loop, Chicago
AMI (Applied Market Information) is putting on the 14th edition of this event. It says key topics will include flexible packaging market trends in the Americas, developments in monomaterial films and high-barrier films, among others.
E-PACK US
June 5-6
Atlanta
This Smithers event brings together brands, retailers, packaging converters, equipment suppliers and more to examine opportunities and challenges for e-commerce packaging. The 2024 event included discussions about brands' packaging design changes, consumer confusion over sustainability claims and the impacts of greenwashing and greenhushing. 2025’s edition is co-located with the Digital Print for Packaging US conference, which takes place June 2-4.
Packaging Recycling Summit
June 25-27
Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Dallas
Put on by Packaging World, the event explores material selection and collaboration in designing for recyclability, among other topics. It aims to be a nexus for material suppliers, brands, recyclers and more. In 2024, the event explored pressing issues around EPR implementation, PET thermoform recycling and AI applications.
Resource Recycling Conference
Aug. 4-6
Hilton Denver, Denver
Recycling and waste reduction take center stage at this event, which puts a focus on municipal programs. End market development and extended producer responsibility are among the educational session topics.
Specialty Papers US
Sept. 29-30
Chicago
Conversations about specialty paper innovations, sustainability and collaboration across the supply chain abound at this Smithers event, with many speakers hailing from major brands or packaging producers.
Pack Expo
Sept. 29-Oct 1
Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
The major industry trade show returns to Las Vegas in 2025. PMMI anticipates the event will draw 2,300 exhibiting companies and 30,000 professionals from more than 40 industries. The last Pack Expo in Las Vegas, in 2023, brought key policy, sustainability, technology and design innovation discussions. In early 2024, the East Coast edition of the event also featured insights into cybersecurity best practices and the evolution of robot use in the industry.
SPC Advance
Sept. 29-Oct 1
Omni Seaport, Boston
This is the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s fall members event.
Paper and Plastics Recycling Conference
Oct. 15-16
Chicago
Dubbed by organizers as the “longest-running conference and trade show in the paper and plastics recycling industries,” PPRC is slated to return for its 26th year. Topics at the 2024 event included the fiber packaging sector's M&A surge, recovery rates for fiber packaging and factors affecting the workforce, from the COVID-19 pandemic to automation.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated with additional events.
Disclosure: WestPack and EastPack are run by Informa, the owner of Packaging Dive’s publisher, Industry Dive. Informa has no influence over Packaging Dive’s coverage.
