The Institute of Food Technologists and the Food Processing Suppliers Association made an agreement to co-locate the IFT Food Expo and FPSA Process Expo at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center scheduled for July 18-20, 2010.

Each year, the FPSA Process Expo draws approximately 10,000 food processing and packaging professionals, while the IFT Annual Meeting and Food Expo welcomes more than 18,000 industry professionals working in the food science and technology fields. In 2010, the two events will be held on separate expo floors but will be in close proximity within McCormick Place to expand offerings for those 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 IFT executive vice president Barbara Byrd Keenan. “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 foodservice.”

Exhibitors at both Process Expo and Food Expo have a shared commitment to food safety, and the agreement will generate new opportunities to develop educational programming that will expand food safety education throughout the food chain.

According to FPSA president George Melnykovich, “This partnership unites the world’s leading suppliers with their customers in the food and beverage industry. The resulting dialog between the two will produce a greater experience for all food professionals at every level of the food value chain.”

For additional information on these organizations, visit www.ift.org and www.fpsa.org.