In 2010, two of the food industry’s leading annual events – the Food Processing Suppliers Association’s (FPSA) Process Expo and the Institute of Food Technologists’ (IFT) Annual Meeting + Food Expo – will be taking place concurrently at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. The new co-location of these two shows allows attendees to learn about current trends and new solutions for food processing and packaging at FPSA’s Process Expo on July 18-20 while also experiencing the latest trends, new products and recent scientific innovations they have come to expect from IFT on July 17-20. Registration to either event will provide free access to both.

The two events will be held on separate expo floors but will be in close proximity within the McCormick Place Convention Center. This expands offerings for attendees interested in food science, food technology, packaging and processing. “We are extremely pleased that we can generate new opportunities for both our exhibitors and show attendees,” said Barbara Byrd Keenan, IFT executive vice president. “Food industry professionals interested in attending Process Expo will have an additional compelling reason to attend the 2010 Annual Meeting + Food Expo, especially if their work is in the area of food engineering, processing, product development, packaging, quality assurance or food service.”

Process Expo draws professionals from top food companies in the bakery, beverage, confectionery, dairy, fruit and vegetable and meat, poultry and seafood markets around the world seeking processing and packaging solutions offered by the food industry’s processing and packaging equipment suppliers. Expo show hours will be Sunday, July 18 from noon to 5 p.m.; Monday, July 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Tuesday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The IFT Food Expo will also be open the same hours.

During Process Expo, FPSA will be featuring the Process Innovation Series, which consists of several one-hour educational seminars for all processors attending the show. Sessions include “Life Cycle Assessments” sponsored by Burns & McDonnell on Sunday, July 18 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. This report will survey the use of life-cycle assessments, which are used to quantify the use of alternative food processes to our environment, in the U.S. and abroad, giving examples of decisions made based on the results of a life cycle assessment. Mettler-Toledo Safeline will sponsor a session called, “Effective Metal Detection for the Food Processing and Packaging Industry” also on Sunday from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. This presentation targets Latin-American food processors and is conducted entirely in Spanish. The presentation will provide details about how metal detectors and x-ray systems can help strengthen HACCP programs.

On Monday, July 19 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Ecolab will sponsor “Taking a Wholistic Approach to Sustainable Food and Beverage Processing Practices.” This series will cover water management, cleaning and sanitation practices, effluent management and energy conservation/generation. A final innovation session called “LEED and Sanitary Design” will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 20. This Gleeson Constructors & Engineers LLC-sponsored session will review the LEED checklist, which offers points for sustainable sites, and the challenges of applying these criteria to processing facility.

PROCESS EXPO/IFT Food Expo
Schedule-at-a-glance:

Saturday, July 17
6:45 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. PROCESS EXPO/ IFT Networking Reception

Sunday, July 18
8:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. IFT Keynote Session
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. PROCESS EXPO/ IFT Food Expo
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Process Innovation Series
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. CANAINCA Luncheon
1:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. Process Innovation Series

Monday, July 19
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PROCESS EXPO/ IFT Food Expo
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Process Innovation Series

Tuesday, July 20
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. PROCESS EXPO/ IFT Food Expo
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Process Innovation Series

For registration or other information on Process Expo, visit: www.fpsa.org. •