Process Expo, organized by the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA), McLean, Va., is said to be the Western Hemisphere’s largest trade show dedicated strictly to manufacturing solutions for the food and beverage industry. These solutions cover the entire spectrum of the food and beverage industry bringing professionals from all segments, including these industry sectors:
  • Dairy  
  • Beverage 
  • Bakery & Snacks  
  • Meat/Poultry/Seafood  
  • Prepared Foods
According to FPSA, the show will feature:  
  • The nation’s largest collection of equipment manufacturers focused on food and beverage processing  
  • New equipment and the latest technology in food and beverage processing and packaging  
  • Educational sessions put on by speakers from the top university food science programs in the country 
  • Food safety experts to assist with any challenge

The Expo will run alongside the International Dairy Show, presented by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., and InterBev Process, organized by NuernbergMesse North America, Atlanta. Combined, the three shows are expecting more than 20,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors. Processors will have access to all three shows for the one price.

The Process Expo University, the expo’s educational programming, addresses critical topics of importance to food processors and beverage manufacturers. The sessions feature expert speakers from some of the top universities in North America and run throughout the four-day trade show. (See Dairy Foods’ show coverage at www.dairyfoods.com for highlights from these sessions.)

New this year

The FPSA will debut its new Innovation Showcase at this year’s show. The Innovation Showcase is a dedicated section of the expo’s exhibits designed to help food and beverage professionals identify the latest innovations and developments in food and beverage processing and packaging. The self-guided poster exhibition will be located in the North Hall at booths #5850 and #6055.

The showcase will help to “narrow the scope a little for attendees and better target the products they are looking for,” according FPSA President and CEO David Seckman.

Special Events

Cooking Demonstrations - Prepared Foods
(Tuesday, Sept. 16; 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.; Booth #3021)
Prepared foods is one of the largest segments of today’s food industry as it incorporates products from all other segments such as dairy, fresh cut, processed fruit and vegetables, bakery, meat and confectionery. Attendees can talk with members of the Prepared Foods Council to discuss the challenges of delivering fast and efficient production while assuring the highest degree of product quality and food safety. In addition, the Process Expo chef will provide a variety of food products to sample.
 
Defeat Hunger Press Conference
McCormick Place Grand Concourse, Third Floor
(Thursday, Sept. 17; 1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.)
Attend the presentation/donation by the Foundation of the Food Processing Suppliers Association to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. In this initiative, the Foundation and Process Expo exhibitors have banded together along with show partners and local area food processors to help address hunger in Chicago and Cook County. 
 
For more information on events, programming and travel information, visit www.myprocessexpo.com.
 

Resource center addresses equipment design, inspection issues 

Mettler Toledo, provider of in line and static checkweighing, metal detection, X-ray inspection and machine vision inspection technologies, will host an Educational Center at the upcoming 2015 Process Expo.

The company will have experts from BRC, SQF, IFS and FSSC22000 to join food safety experts from Mettler Toledo to discuss its latest updates and address a wide range of other food safety topics. Presentations will be open to all attendees at the show.

The Educational Center will be located in Booth 5845 in North Hall at McCormick Place. Topics to be discussed will include sanitary equipment design, label mix-up detection and prevention, product traceability and overall inspection system connectivity. Other presentations will cover maximizing OEE in food processing operations, improving metal detection in challenging and using X-Ray inspection as a critical control point. A complete schedule of presentations is available at www.mt.com/pius-mtedu.

 

Highlights from the University educational sessions 

Tuesday, Sept. 15
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.   Part 1: Environmental and Product Testing Programs: Control and Prevention of Listeria monocytogenes
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.   UV Light as a Complementary Sanitary Solution in Food Production
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.  Alternative Technologies for Pasteurization & Sterilization of Foods
 
Wednesday, Sept. 16
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The Role of Packaging in Food Fraud Prevention
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.  Advancements in Aseptic Processing and Packaging
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.   Food Industry Trends and Process Technologies - Differentiating Your Product in the Competitive Marketplace
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.  FSMA: How will it impact your business and how should you prepare?
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Hygienic Design of Food Processing Equipment – Opportunities for Improving Food Safety
 
Thursday, Sept. 17
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.  Food Safety Assurance in the Retail Sector
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Innovative Developments in Food Packaging
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.  Food Allergen Control Strategies
 
Friday, Sept. 18
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Ultraviolet Light Applications for Preservation and Purification of Heat Sensitive Beverages and Ingredients

View the Exhibitor List (PDF) | View the Floor Plan (PDF)