unPACKed with PMMI

On this Exhibitor Edition, we talk with sales consultant and former Mars marketing and branding manager, Leisa Pickles about turning trade show conversations into business. She shares how to prioritize leads with a simple red-amber-green system, why you shouldn’t wait until the show ends to reach your hottest prospects, and how her “3+3+1” follow-up approach keeps leads warm while helping you prove ROI.

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today! 

In this episode, Packaging Specialist Vanessa Lopez joins the podcast to discuss the latest Packaging State of the Industry report. She explains why the packaging machinery market continues to grow despite tariffs, high borrowing costs, and economic uncertainty, and how manufacturers are becoming more strategic about where they invest. Hear how trade uncertainty is shaping supply chain decisions, why parts, service, and AI-powered predictive maintenance are gaining ground, and how GLP-1s and viral food trends are pushing flexibility up the list of what matters in machinery.

The award-winning PACK EXPO Southeast is back. Named Best New Show Launch by Trade Show Executive, it returns to Atlanta April 12 through 14, 2027. See the latest in packaging and processing, close to home. Learn more at packexposoutheast.com.

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today! 

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today! 

Heather Turner from Dow joins unPACKed to talk about circularity as an alignment challenge rather than an invention challenge, and the outsized role California plays in EPR. We also get into how design for recyclability, mechanical recycling, and advanced recycling fit together instead of competing. And with Dow returning as the official Sustainability Partner of PACK EXPO International this year, Heather shares the conversations she's most looking forward to having at the show.

The award-winning PACK EXPO Southeast is back. Named Best New Show Launch by Trade Show Executive, it returns to Atlanta April 12 through 14, 2027. See the latest in packaging and processing, close to home. Learn more at packexposoutheast.com.

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today! 

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today! 

PACK EXPO International 2026 is shaping up to be the largest in the show's history, with more than 2,700+ exhibitors across 1.3 million net square feet. Get the inside scoop on what's new, from Discovery Tours and the AI-powered Solutions Finder to workforce programs, and PACK Gives BACK at the House of Blues.

The award-winning PACK EXPO Southeast is back. Named Best New Show Launch by Trade Show Executive, it returns to Atlanta April 12 through 14, 2027. See the latest in packaging and processing, close to home. Learn more at packexposoutheast.com.

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today! 

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today! 

In this episode, cybersecurity expert and PMMI’s Senior Director of IT, Andy Lomasky, joins unPACKed to explore key challenges and strategies in protecting industrial systems. We discuss network segmentation, remote-access risks, and essential steps that OEMs can take to embed cybersecurity into machine design from the outset.

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today! 

In this episode, PMMI’s Vice President of Market Development, Jorge Izquierdo, breaks down the top challenges facing packaging and processing operations heading into PACK EXPO International 2026. He also explains what "operational resilience" means today and how to use new tools, such as PACK EXPO's AI search, to walk away with real solutions.

The award-winning PACK EXPO Southeast is back. Named Best New Show Launch by Trade Show Executive, it returns to Atlanta April 12 through 14, 2027. See the latest in packaging and processing, close to home. Learn more at packexposoutheast.com.

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today! 

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today! 

In this episode, influencers Jake Hall and Meaghan Zeimba discuss what's new on the factory floor this year, including smarter robots, better-connected software, and the biggest workforce challenges in manufacturing. They also share helpful tips to get the most from the show and explain why meeting people in person is so valuable.

The award-winning PACK EXPO Southeast is back. Named Best New Show Launch by Trade Show Executive, it returns to Atlanta April 12 through 14, 2027. See the latest in packaging and processing, close to home. Learn more at packexposoutheast.com.

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today! 

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today! 

Ahead of PACK EXPO International, Charles Weinberg, CEO of MSI Express, shares his team's proven playbook for tackling the show floor.

From pre-show homework and vendor meetings to sending mechanics to scout new technology firsthand. He also digs into the automation, robotics, and AI trends reshaping the packaging industry that attendees should watch for on the floor this year.

The award-winning PACK EXPO Southeast is back. Named Best New Show Launch by Trade Show Executive, it returns to Atlanta April 12 through 14, 2027. See the latest in packaging and processing, close to home. Learn more at packexposoutheast.com.

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today! 

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today! 

In this special exhibitor edition of unPACKed, trade show expert and President of Competitive Edge, Jefferson Davis, joins the podcast to share what separates winning exhibitors from the rest at PACK EXPO International, starting with a simple framework for identifying the right people to target. He also covers practical tactics for pre-show outreach and booth strategy, including why authentic conversations and hands-on experiences matter most to attendees.

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today! 

In this episode, Founder and Chief Trade Strategist of TradeMoves LLC, Shawn Jarosz, joins the podcast to share the newest tariff updates and what they mean for the packaging and processing industry. From evolving U.S. trade policy and USMCA negotiations to the latest developments with Canada and China, she explains what manufacturers should expect and how PMMI is helping the industry navigate a rapidly changing trade landscape.

The award-winning PACK EXPO Southeast is back. Named Best New Show Launch by Trade Show Executive, it returns to Atlanta April 12 through 14, 2027. See the latest in packaging and processing, close to home. Learn more at packexposoutheast.com.

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today! 

Register for PACK EXPO Southeast today!