unPACKed with PMMI

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.

See more innovation in packaging and processing at PACK EXPO International than anyw...

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.

See more innovation in packaging and processing at PACK EXPO International than anywhere else! It&rsquo...

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.

See more innovation in packaging and processing at PACK ...

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 ...

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.

See...

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 a...

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.

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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. 

Regis...

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.

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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. 

See more innovation in packaging and processing at PACK EXP...

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.

See more innovation in packaging and processing at PACK EXPO International than anywhere else! It’s the show that defines where the industr...

Losing great people isn’t just about pay. Ultimately, it’s about leadership, culture, and connection. We sit down with Jim Weber to see what REALLY drives employees to stay or go so, listen in and hear how leaders can build a workplace people don’t want to leave. 

See more innovation in packaging and processing at PACK EXPO International than anywhere else! It’s the show that defines where the industry i...

Mike Rowe, best known for Dirty Jobs, joins the podcast to talk about why so many skilled trade careers are still misunderstood. He shares why he thinks perception, not opportunity, is the real barrier and why telling better, more honest stories about these careers matters. 

See more innovation in packaging and processing at PACK EXPO International than anywhere else! It’s the show that defines where the industry is heade...

In this week's episode, Lisa Apolinski from PhatKat Consulting breaks down how suppliers can build trust and stand out by creating value-driven, story-based content that reduces risk, cost, and time. We also cover how AI is reshaping buyer decisions and why authentic expertise matters more than ever.

See more innovation in packaging and processing at PACK EXPO International than anywhere else! It’s the show that defines where ...

Where do careers in manufacturing really begin for women? In this episode, Meaghan Ziemba shares why the path often starts long before college or a first job, shaped by early exposure, encouragement, and what young girls are (and aren’t) shown. She breaks down who plays a role in that journey and what needs to change to help more women see manufacturing as a path from the start.

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Festo joins us to talk about how they’re working with PMMI to tackle the manufacturing workforce challenge through training and certifications. We also break down why the skills gap might not be what it seems, and how it connects to the pace of new technology in the industry.

See more innovation in packaging and processing at PACK EXPO International than anywhere else! It’s the show that defines where the industry is hea...

In our 200th episode, we talk with Manufacturing Happy Hour host Chris Luecke about what authentic marketing looks like for manufacturers today. We cover 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.

See more innovation in packaging and processing at PACK ...