The Food Processing Suppliers Association's (FPSA) PROCESS EXPO 2017 trade show will bring together the world’s food and beverage processors for four days of educational seminars, product demonstrations, networking events and demonstrations of the most innovative processing and packaging technologies in the food and beverage industry.
There will be plenty of can’t-miss moments at this year’s event, including some new show features debuting September 19-22 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Here are some of the highlights:
Innovations Showcase
One of the main reasons attendees visit PROCESS EXPO is to have access to the latest products and solutions. PROCESS EXPO will be offering the Innovations Showcase at this year’s event, where exhibitors will be showcasing their products alongside a multimedia demonstration. These products also have the chance to win an Innovation Award and a People’s Choice Award, which will be selected by the PROCESS EXPO community who will vote on the best innovations via the show’s mobile app or at iPad kiosks located on site. The products that will be featured can be found on the Innovations Showcase gallery page at www.myprocessexpo.com/innovations-gallery/
Virtual Reality Showroom
Virtual Reality is the future of technology, for gaming, for education and now for food processing.
Attendees at PROCESS EXPO 2017 can experience state-of-the-art food processing equipment up close and in action at the Virtual Reality Showroom. Several exhibitors have teamed up with ANT (Applying New Technologies) Automation, utilizing augmented reality and mixed reality to create the VR platform that attendees explore on-site at the show. Thanks to VR technology, not only can attendees see how a machine works and what it takes to operate them, they can also safely get a look inside to see exactly how it operates. Attendees can explore the entire process and even “play” with the finished product.
Education Program
Education is one of the most important reasons for food processing professionals to attend PROCESS EXPO, and this year the FPSA has expanded the educational offering to cover important topics such as food safety and alternative methods of production and automation, as well as a number of critical topics specific to each of the major industry segments that attend the event. New this year will be a series of Processor Spotlight Seminars which will feature C-Suite executives sharing their experiences. The education schedule can be found at www.myprocessexpo.com/process-expo-university-session-descriptions/
Working Production Lines
PROCESS EXPO 2017 will feature several working production lines, including a bakery line which will simulate frozen cookie line processing and packaging. Attendees will have the opportunity to see each step of the production process from beginning to end at this year’s event. Demonstrations of the cookie production line will run three times daily during the course of PROCESS EXPO — at 11 am, 2 pm and 4 pm.
This is a perfect chance for attendees to witness all of the components in action, giving them the opportunity to ask any questions about their observations. In addition, there will be two meat production lines that will show attendees the entire process from beginning to final product. Watch the action right on the show floor as experts walk you through the entire production process and answer any questions you might have. This unique, exciting exhibit will feature a deli line incorporating stuffing, slicing and packaging, and a second sausage link/hang line which will include a bowl cutter, mixing, stuffing, linking and hanging.
First Timers Program
With so much on display at PROCESS EXPO 2017, it could be easy for first timers to the event to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are four welcoming orientations — Tuesday, September 19 and Wednesday, September 20, from 10-10:30 am and 2-2:30 pm., with welcome remarks and introductions from show leadership that will help newcomers get off to a good start at the event. Show floor ambassadors will also be on hand to answer any questions and help maximize your time at PROCESS EXPO 2017 by going over a brief overview on the must-do activities and show highlights, as well as logistics regarding the show App, shuttle buses, dinner reservations and more.
Women’s Breakfast
The FPSA has launched the FPSA Women's Council, a new initiative to facilitate positive transformation for women in the food and beverage industry, and to empower its members to achieve both professional and personal growth.
The first event of this new Council will be The Women's Leadership Breakfast to be held on Thursday, September 21, 2017 from 7:30-9 am at McCormick Place. All female professionals at PROCESS EXPO 2017 are invited to attend this free event. Jane Grote Abell, Chairwoman of the Board for Donato's Pizza and Jane's Dough Foods, will be the keynote speaker at the breakfast.
Feeding the Hopper Sessions
New to PROCESS EXPO this year, Feeding the Hopper is an educational concept taking place in the Refresh & Recharge lounge in Booth #3816. Attendees will have a chance to participate in short informational sessions that will provide an interactive discussion on critical topics in the food and beverage industry. The American Association of Meat Processors will lead the following three sessions: Controlling Allergens in Your Plant; Navigating the Labeling Mine Field; and Labor Laws and How They Affect the Small Processor. In addition to the three AAMP sessions, attendees can visit www.myprocessexpo.com/about-the-show/schedule/feeding-the-hopper/ for the full schedule.
Defeat Hunger Press Conference
Join the FPSA for a press conference on Thursday, September 21 at 1 pm in the main lobby of McCormick Place to announce the final tally of the financial and product donations to the DEFEAT HUNGER campaign to support the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Through food and monetary donations, the FPSA Foundation’s goal is to raise enough for 400,000 meals for the men, women and children of Cook County. Visit fpsa.org/Defeat-Hunger to learn how to donate to this worthwhile cause.
For the most up-to-date PROCESS EXPO 2017 information, visit www.myprocessexpo.com.
