A new date, additional educational programming and the largest trade show in the history of the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) are some highlights of the 2019 event, scheduled for Feb. 12-14 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

The event is a collaboration of three shows — International Poultry Expo, International Feed Expo, and International Meat Expo — representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. All segments of the industry will be represented: feed milling, hatchery, live production, processing, further processing, marketing and all support activities. The 2019 show was scheduled later because the Super Bowl will be in Atlanta during the normal show time.

The 2019 event at the Georgia World Congress Center will include 590,000 square feet of exhibit space and more than 1,315 exhibitors in all three halls of the center. The trade show will showcase the latest technology, equipment and services used in the production and processing of animal food, meat and poultry products. Hall A will have feed equipment and animal feed ingredients. Hall B will have meat and poultry processing and packaging. Hall C will have genetics, incubation, live production, and egg production and processing.

This year’s expo will be open Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Feb. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

More than 200 hours of education sessions focused on current industry issues and enhanced networking opportunities are planned. New education opportunities include a two-day program on state-of-the-art technologies, methods and processes in addressing food safety issues faced by the poultry industry.

The 2018 IPPE attracted more than 7,000 international visitors from over 124 countries. Although Latin American/Caribbean countries represent the largest region of international visitors, there has been continued growth in numbers coming from Europe. Canada represents the largest single country outside the United States with regards to number of attendees.

Along with 30,678 delegates, the 2018 event included 1,216 exhibitors in 521,800 square feet of exhibit space, placing it among the top 50 expos in terms of size in the United States.

Educational programming

The American Feed Industry Association’s (AFIA) free Feed Education Program returns for the 12th time to the IPPE from 8 a.m. to noon on Feb. 13. The program is ideal for animal food facility managers, operations personnel and mill personnel looking to learn about the latest regulatory requirements impacting their businesses.

“Last year’s Feed Education Program brought together nearly 100 animal food industry professionals to hear about how new regulations are impacting the manufacture of feed and pet food in the United States,” said Gary Huddleston, director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs at the AFIA. “State and federal requirements on animal food safety, environmental protection, transportation and workplace safety are regularly changing, and this program offers an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and learn best practices to help the industry improve its manufacturing practices.”

The half-day session will cover current regulations as well as changes being proposed by several federal agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation. It also will provide attendees with a presentation on how to create the right employee culture within their facilities.

The AFIA also will announce the winner of its 2018 Feed Facility of the Year program, which it offers in cooperation with Feedstuffs. The AFIA has been conducting the Feed Facility of the Year and its predecessor program to recognize companies for outstanding performance in animal food manufacturing. The program recognizes winners in four categories, including integrator, commercial dry livestock feed, liquid feed and premix manufacturing, with a top facility selected as the Feed Facility. This program is included with trade show admission.

Other education opportunities include a discussion on international trade issues from 8:30-10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14, during the session, “International trade issues and impacts on U.S. agriculture.” It will take a closer look at the current state of international trade and how current trade policies are affecting the meat industry, from grain and feeds to live animals and their products. Attendees will gain information on how these international issues are affecting business growth and opportunity, to aid in strategic planning and risk management moving forward.

Another feed educational opportunity at the 2019 IPPE is the co-located “Feed Strategy Conference: Feeding Poultry to Meet Evolving Consumer Demands,” from 8 a.m. to noon on Feb. 13. Cost is $150 in advance or $175 on-site. The conference will give animal feed stakeholders the tools they need to maintain productivity and profitability in a changing production landscape.

It will examine the role feed plays in building consumer confidence now and into the future. Discussion topics include how shifts in consumer behavior and food consumption are shaping poultry and feed production; best practice diet formulations; traceability to build consumer trust; blockchain technology in feed production; animal vs. plant-based proteins; and how poultry feeding has changed to meet evolving consumer demands.

Pet food conference

The 12th annual Pet Food Conference, held in conjunction with IPPE, will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 12. It will cover a wide range of topics from trading pet food products internationally to addressing concerns about canine health linked to diets.

“Today’s marketplace for pet food is changing rapidly, and industry experts need to stay on top of the latest consumer trends and policy issues impacting their ability to do business in the United States and abroad,” said Louise Calderwood, director of regulatory affairs at the AFIA. “AFIA’s Pet Food Conference is an affordable way for attendees to engage with some of the industry’s leading experts and roughly 300 of their peers in this unique segment within the animal food manufacturing industry.”

The conference includes discussions on domestic and global industry trends, U.S. trade policies, upcoming Food Safety Modernization Act inspections and recent work on pet food issues at the Association of American Feed Control Officials. An early bird rate of $75 is available for the Pet Food Conference through Jan. 14, 2019. After that, the cost increases to $95.

Registration details

IPPE registration is available at www.ippexpo.org for a discounted price of $50 prior to Jan. 15, 2019. Starting Jan. 15, 2019, the fee will increase to $100.

As part of the “Members to Atlanta” (M2A) program, registration fees are waived for attendees from member firms of all three associations engaged in the production of poultry, eggs and meat for consumption and feed and pet food manufacturers. The program is supported through the sponsorship of elite IPPE exhibitors.

The IPPE website also includes information regarding attendee and exhibitor registration, hotel registration and a schedule of 2019 educational seminars and activities offered during IPPE.