TUCKER, GA. – Organizers of the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), the annual trade show for the poultry and egg, feed and meat industries held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta each January, announced they will make a decision about whether or not to host the 2021 IPPE by Oct. 22.
“IPPE show management is working hard to provide an in-person trade show in January 2021 for attendees and exhibitors and is taking every measure to ensure a safe and successful show experience,” show organizers said. “Certainly, any significant pandemic changes in the coming weeks, along with attendee and exhibitor survey feedback, will guide the IPPE show management’s decision-making process.”
IPPE is a collaboration of three shows – International Feed Expo, International Meat Expo and the International Poultry Expo – representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. The event is sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), North American Meat Institute (NAMI) and US Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY).
Show organizers from the sponsoring associations have conducted attendee and exhibitor surveys to gauge interest in show attendance and participation.
“Based on attendee and exhibitor surveys conducted last month, many companies and attendees have expressed the desire to attend the 2021 IPPE and look forward to getting back to normal business activities,” organizers said. “The surveys revealed that the majority of IPPE attendees and exhibitors want to connect to share innovation, education and networking.”
Surveys said that two-thirds to three-fourths of prior attendees “plan to” or “want to” attend a 2021 show. Responses from Latin American prospective attendees are similar.
Show management is evaluating the survey data in order to have a decision by Oct. 22.
In addition, show organizers will develop pandemic safety measures that will include:
- requiring face coverings;
- monitoring participants’ temperatures upon entering the Georgia World Congress Center;
- incorporating physical distancing practices across many show features;
- modifying the registration badge pickup process, including mailing badges to many attendees.
Follow-up surveys are currently being developed and will soon be sent to previous attendees and exhibitors to help IPPE show management reach a final decision.
“We are aware of the challenges hosting an event this size can bring during a pandemic, and we are committed to minimizing risk. As we have done from the earliest days of the pandemic, we continue to monitor all COVID-19 developments closely, while assessing every measure to provide for a safe and successful show experience. We request that you bear with us as the current pandemic situation is evaluated, while pursuing all options,” IPPE show management said.
