“The PACK EXPO tradeshows are among the largest and most highly-regarded in the country, and having the chance to work on them is what drew me to PMMI,” said A.J. Janosko, director of expositions, PMMI.
Janosko joined the staff of PMMI, owner and producer of the PACK EXPO tradeshows, in August to fill a newly created position handling much of the day-to-day show management. His position frees up Jim Pittas, PMMI vice president, tradeshows, to focus more intently on executing PMMI’s strategic vision.
“PACK EXPO and PMMI are growing,” said Pittas. “PACK EXPO International at McCormick Place was sold out as of July. In addition, in February we’ll debut our newest show, EXPO PACK Guadalajara. There’s a lot going on, and AJ is critical to the effort.”
Janosko has hit the ground running, as initiative after initiative has come into fruition.
“I’ve known [PMMI CEO] Chuck Yuska and Jim Pittas for over 15 years and have always respected their leadership in the tradeshow community,” said Janosko. “Being part of the PMMI team and seeing them in action every day has completely validated my perceptions. PMMI’s team is experienced, dedicated and extremely committed to ensuring that we are the leading resource for the packaging and processing supply chain in the global marketplace.”
In his most recent position, Janosko was director or tradeshow operations at SPI: The Plastics Industry Association. SPI’s triennial NPE event ended a four-decade run at McCormick Place after its 2009 show with a very successful launch at the Orlando Convention Center last spring. The transition of NPE from Chicago to Orlando also prepared him to come to PACK EXPO.
“As a show manager, that transition meant I had to introduce myself to a new team at a new location, get to know them, how they work, and what works in the venue,” said Janosko. “I’m doing the same thing as we head into PACK EXPO International. I’m reintroducing myself to the teams at McCormick Place, this time as part of PACK EXPO. I’ve produced many events at McCormick Place, but each show is different.
“Exhibitors can expect this from me: Commitment, respect and trust. The PACK EXPO events have set the standard for innovation on a global scale, and my job is to keep raising that bar. I’m looking forward to Chicago!”
Janosko’s background also includes stints with BDMetrics, the Telecommunications Industry Association and the Convention Management Group. He earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from George Mason University and lives with his family in Falls Church, Va.
PMMI is a trade association comprised of more than 600 member companies that manufacture packaging, processing and related converting machinery in the U.S., Canada or Mexico as well as machinery components and packaging containers and materials. PMMI organizes the PACK EXPO tradeshows: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, EXPO PACK México and EXPO PACK Guadalajara. PACK EXPO International is scheduled at McCormick Place in Chicago from Oct. 28–31.
