LIVE from Pack Expo: Jessie Imorde
Jessie Imorde, a student in the Sustainable Biomaterials, shares what Pack Expo International was like from her perspective
Jessie Imorde take a selfie in front of the College of Natural Resources and Environment's booth at Pack Expo International 2024 in Chicago. Photo by Max Esterhuizen for Virginia Tech.
Students and faculty from the College of Natural Resources and Environment
attended the four-day Pack Expo International trade show in Chicago, November 2024, with
the support of The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. The event featured innovative packaging solutions, seminars on sustainability, and opportunities to connect with industry professionals, providing valuable hands-on experiences.
Jessie Imorde, a student in the College of Natural Resources and Environment, shared what each day of the expereince was like from her perspective:
Sunday, November 3:
Today was the first day of Pack Expo International in Chicago! We kicked off at 7:30 a.m., setting up Virginia Tech’s booths in the West Building of the McCormick Center. With four huge expo buildings—North, West, South, and Lakeside—there was plenty to explore. We started close to the Virginia Tech booth, where I got a firsthand look at some incredible packaging innovations, including magnetic assembly line automation, sustainable bubble wrap replacements, and recyclable paper hand sanitizer packets.
In the afternoon, I had a shift at our sustainability booth, where I shared Virginia Tech’s ongoing research with attendees and exhibitors. It was a great opportunity to discuss topics we’re passionate about, including sustainable packaging, and to pitch our Packaging Career Fair in February to interested companies. After wrapping up at 4 p.m., we took the shuttle back to our hotel and ventured out into the city for the evening. About 20 of us Hokies—students and professors—went out to dinner, making it a fun night to bond, share our first-day experiences, and enjoy Chicago’s vibrant city life. This trip has already been an incredible mix of learning, networking, and exploring, and I’m looking forward to the days ahead!
Monday, November 4:
Day two began with a seminar at 9 a.m. on innovation and the circular economy in packaging, a subject that resonated with my coursework, particularly Sustainable Circular Economy. It was inspiring to see how what I’ve studied connects directly to current industry efforts to build more sustainable packaging solutions. Later, my former boss and another engineer from my co-op last fall stopped by the Virginia Tech booth, and they took me and another co-op out to lunch. It was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect, discuss career updates, and hear about the company’s latest projects and developments.
The afternoon was spent exploring the expo’s other three buildings, which housed even more innovative solutions and exciting exhibits. It was fascinating to see the latest trends across different sectors within the packaging industry. We returned to the hotel around 3:30 p.m. to rest and then went to a Chicago Bulls game that night. This trip has offered the ideal blend of industry learning and cultural experiences in the city, making each day memorable and enriching. I’m feeling inspired and even more passionate about a career in packaging.
Jessie Imorde and Paige McDonough met with Gray Solutions at their booth at Pack Expo - and McDonough even controlled the robot dog. Photo by Max Esterhuizen for Virginia Tech.
Tuesday, November 5:
Our third day at Pack Expo started with the Packaging and Processing Women’s Leadership Network breakfast hosted by the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI). Listening to a speaker share her journey as a woman in entrepreneurship and her strategies for building confidence in the workplace was both motivating and insightful. Afterward, I reconnected with my co-op team, and we spent some time exploring the expo floor together, specifically looking for innovations that could benefit their company’s needs.
Today, I also took over the CNRE Instagram account, documenting highlights from the day and sharing what I was learning. At lunch, we attended a PepsiCo and PMMI student social event, where Ron Khan, PepsiCo’s VP of Packaging, gave a talk. Hearing his journey and career advice was inspiring, and the event provided a valuable networking opportunity with both industry professionals and fellow students. Afterward, I checked out new innovations from companies like Graphic Packaging and even saw a robotic dog that could perform tricks! I finished the day with another shift at our booth, followed by an alumni dinner hosted by CNRE at a local Italian restaurant. Meeting Virginia Tech alumni who are leaders in the field reminded me of all the possibilities that lie ahead in my own career.
Wednesday, November 6:
The final day of Pack Expo began with one of the most exciting events: the Amazing Packaging Race, organized by PMMI and sponsored by Emerson. This event brought together packaging students from different universities for a fast-paced competition inspired by The Amazing Race. Our team, Group 14, included students from Virginia Tech, Clemson, Wisconsin-Stout, and Tuskegee University. We came up with a strategy to start at the farthest building and work our way back, tackling tasks at various exhibitor booths as efficiently as possible. After a morning of quick thinking, teamwork, and some luck, we managed to place first out of 28 teams, each winning $1,000!
Looking back on these past four days, I feel grateful for the unique perspective Pack Expo has given me on the packaging industry. It’s one thing to learn concepts in class, but it’s another to see them in action. I gained practical knowledge, made valuable industry connections, and bonded with peers from other universities. I’m leaving with a deeper appreciation for packaging, new friendships, and an unforgettable experience. I hope to return to Pack Expo in the future and continue building on what I’ve learned here.
