PACK EXPO 2013 was a strong success for the RPA and our 36 member companies that exhibited in the Reusable Packaging Pavilion. During the show, we visited with many members who told us that traffic was very steady at their booths, especially during the first two days of the show.
Lead generation – A total of 2,523 leads were captured by the 28 RPA member companies that used the Experient tracking system provided by PMMI. Being a part of the Pavilion helps attendees easily find providers of reusable solutions in one place, rather than searching the aisles that were filled with 1,750 exhibitors. We know from attendees’ comments that the pavilion has become a popular ‘go-to destination’. One attendee told RPA booth members that his company comes to PACK EXPO each year specifically to visit the Reusable Packaging Pavilion.
“We were extremely happy with exhibiting in the RPA pavilion at PACK EXPO,” reports Catelyn Anderson, Marketing Coordinator for Worldwide Foam. “We had a productive show and most importantly, we had quality leads. I don’t think we would’ve had the same outcome had we been in another area on the show floor. The traffic at our booth was great, especially because visitors knew what kind of exhibitors to expect in the pavilion. It was also great to come into contact with other companies in the reusables market.”
“2013 was our first year exhibiting at this particular venue and we had a great show overall. We made many good contacts due in large part to our location in the pavilion,” adds Phillip Booker, Account Representative with B&B Plastics Inc.
RPA Reusables Learning Center – A new attraction that drove additional traffic to the Pavilion this year was the RPA’s Reusables Learning Center. Exhibiting
Bob Klimko
ORBIS Corp.
companies had the opportunity to deliver presentations within the theater-style setting. PMMI and RPA supplemented the companies’ promotional efforts to drive attendees to the eight presentations that were given over the course of two days. The result: strong attendance at every presentation – including some with standing room-only crowds. The Reusables Learning Center was a strong success, especially for its first year, and the RPA plans to stage it again at PACK EXPO 2014. We strongly encourage you to consider putting together end-user oriented presentations for 2014. To discuss the opportunity further, contact Sean Handerhan at seanh@reusables.org Click here to see the complete list of presentations from this year.
“The RPA Learning Center gave us a great opportunity to extend our booth presence with show attendees,” says Scott Krebs, Senior Marketing Manager, ORBIS Corporation. “It allowed us to get into much more detail and provide some tangible numbers and benefits of reusable packaging. The attendees were very engaged and asked some great questions. The RPA heavily promoted the sessions, too, so the sessions were very well attended.” 
Show Promotion – The RPA drove traffic to the sessions and to exhibitors in the pavilion through article placements, social media and PMMI marketing tools prior to PACK EXPO. At the show, attendees couldn’t miss the visible and multiple signs directing them to the pavilion. A two-page ad and full page feature article in the show daily brought increased visibility for the pavilion and the sessions at the Reusables Learning Center. Many of the marketing efforts were made possible by the great support of this year’s RPA Pavilion sponsors – Headline Sponsors: IFCO, CHEP and Orbis; Marketing Sponsors: PECO, Coroplast, Knapp Logistics, ReLogistics Services, PTM, Otto Environmental Systems, SSI Schaefer, and Point Guard from United Pallet.
Member Recruitment – Lastly, we even gained a new member – RLT and Associates which specializes in the development and procurement of reusable systems. We believe that overall, PACK EXPO 2013 was the strongest and most successful platform yet for the reusables industry.
PACK EXPO Chicago – Planning for RPA activities for PACK EXPO 2014 in Chicago is under way now, and PMMI reports that exhibit space is selling quickly already. If you would like to exhibit in the RPA pavilion next year, contact Sean Handerhan at seanh@reusables.org