Advertise on podcast: unPACKed with PMMI

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. Register for PACK EXPO International 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. Register for PACK EXPO International 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 International 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. Register for PACK EXPO International 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. Register for PACK EXPO International 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. Register for PACK EXPO International 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 International 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. Register for PACK EXPO International today!

Nicole Malachowski flew F-15Es in combat, led the Thunderbirds, and advised the White House over a 21-year Air Force career, and her take on leadership isn't what you'd expect. She joins the pod and breaks down why vulnerability, not authority, builds high-performing teams, and how to lead people through constant change.  Catch her full keynote at the Packaging and Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) Breakfast at PACK EXPO International this October.   packexpointernational.com/pod  Register for PACK EXPO International today!

In our 200th episode, we talked with Manufacturing Happy Hour host Chris Luecke about what authentic marketing looks like for manufacturers today. We covered how small teams can create consistent, meaningful content without overcomplicating it and why platforms like LinkedIn still matter. The episode also explores how digital engagement can lead to stronger real-world connections. Originally released March 2026. Register for PACK EXPO International today!

In this episode, PMMI’s Director of Workforce Development, Kate Torrence, shares how our approach to workforce development has shifted from supporting today's workforce to cultivating tomorrow's. She discusses the programs, partnerships, and PACK EXPO initiatives that give students a firsthand look at careers in packaging and manufacturing while also providing companies with access to the next generation of talent.  Register for PACK EXPO International today!

Consumer preferences, from high-protein foods to viral grocery trends, are reshaping the food and beverage processing industry in unexpected ways. In today's episode, we chat with Vanessa Lopez from Interact Analysis to explore the key findings from PMMI's first Food & Beverage Processing Industry Report. Learn more about the technologies, market forces, and investment trends driving the sector forward. Register for PACK EXPO International today!

Jake Hall, The Manufacturing Millennial, is back in the feed — and this conversation is just as relevant as ever. Jake breaks down why outdated perceptions of manufacturing are holding the industry back, how robots are saving jobs rather than replacing them, and what companies can do to attract the next generation of talent.  Originally released August 2025.  Register for PACK EXPO International today!

In this episode, we break down economic trends shaping businesses with economist Lauren Saidel-Baker. From inflation and labor shortages to AI and productivity, she shares what companies should really be watching over the next few years and why growth alone doesn’t guarantee success. Register for PACK EXPO International today!

In this special Exhibitor Edition episode, we sit down with Chief Editor of Packaging World, Matt Reynolds, and Director of Custom Research at PMMI, Rebecca Marquez, to explore why trade shows matter in an AI-driven world, and how businesses are balancing automation, workforce challenges, sustainability pressures, and ROI in a rapidly changing market. Register for PACK EXPO International today!