The world’s largest annual poultry, meat and feed industry event – the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) – is expected to attract more than 28,000 delegates at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

The event, held Jan. 26-28, 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.

Attendees will have opportunities to network, learn about the latest technological developments and issues facing the industry.

The 2015 event drew a record 30,000 delegates as well as 1,288 exhibitors in the 456,000 square feet of exhibit space, placing it among the top 50 expos in terms of size in the United States. The expo will be open Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Last year’s IPPE featured more than 7,245 international visitors from over 103 countries. Latin American/Caribbean countries represent the largest region of international visitors, but there has been continued growth in numbers coming from Europe. Canada represents the largest single country outside the U.S. in regards to number of attendees. Last year, 1,223 Canadian delegates attended the event.

Educational programming

All of the industries represented at the conference will offer educational programming.

AFIA will host its free feed production education program on Jan. 28 as part of the IPPE.

The half-day session is targeted toward feed mill managers and mill personnel. The educational session will provide an update on the following:
• Biosecurity in feed mills
• Energy management in feed mills
• Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Safety Data Sheet Requirements
• Upcoming AFIA education and training programs

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“This four-hour crash course will cover the various elements impacting feed production and the future outcomes to be expected,” said Gary Huddleston, AFIA manager of feed manufacturing safety and environmental affairs. “Anyone who works with the manufacturing of animal feed will leave the program with a better understanding of the proposed changes brought on by FSMA and SDS requirements and VFD.”

Huddleston will announce the AFIA and Feedstuffs Feed Mill of the Year award winner and runner-up during the program.

FSMA Phase II Training

AFIA will host its second Food Safety Modernization Act Phase III training Jan. 27 as part of the IPPE. The one-day session will cover various components of the new law, published in the Federal Register on Sept. 17, “Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals.”

The seminar is ideal for all employees involved in feed, ingredient and pet food manufacturing. AFIA staff experts Daniel McChesney of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine will address:

• Completing an animal food safety plan
• Current Good Manufacturing Practices
• Developing an effective supply-chain program
• Foreign Supplier Verification Program and Third-Party Rules
• Record for FSMA compliance

AFIA’s next steps.

“AFIA was ready for the release of the FSMA final rule and you can rest assured our staff is preparing to make the implementation process as smooth as possible,” said Henry Turlington, AFIA director of quality and manufacturing regulatory affairs. “This training will help plant managers, quality associates and feed industry personnel gain a better understanding of the animal food rule.”

To register online, visit www.ippexpo.org. On-site registration will also be available.

Pet food conference

AFIA will also host the ninth annual Pet Food Conference on Jan. 26. The conference is designed to inform pet food industry representatives about the latest industry initiatives and will include speakers from government entities, private companies and universities.

Attendees will engage with a well-rounded cast of presenters to discuss industry issues such as country of origin labeling, pet obesity trends, allergen research and the newly published Food Safety Modernization Act and its implications on the pet food industry.

“Every year attendees from around the world congregate at the Pet Food Conference to acknowledge, discuss and rectify pertinent issues affecting the pet food industry,” said Leah Wilkinson, AFIA director of ingredients, pet food and state affairs. “The conference offers an opportunity for industry professionals to unify and learn about the latest in the field.”

Registration information

Registration for the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) can be done online at www.ippexpo.org. Those who register by Dec. 31 will receive a discounted price of $50. Beginning Jan. 1, online registration will cost $100.

Back in 2016 is the “Members to Atlanta” program which waives the registration fee through Dec. 31 for attendees from member firms of all participating 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 2016 educational seminars and activities offered during IPPE.

IPPE schedule of events

Monday, Jan. 25

8 a.m.-5 p.m. International Poultry Scientific Forum

1 p.m.-5 p.m. NAMI Environmental Conference for the Meat and Poultry Industry

1 p.m.-5 p.m. Ingredient Specification and Allergen Control Workshop

Tuesday, Jan. 26

8 a.m.-10 a.m. Challenges and Opportunities in Meat
 Product Traceability

8 a.m.-2 p.m. International Poultry Scientific Forum

8 a.m.-4 p.m. Pet Food Conference

9 a.m.-12 p.m. Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit

2 p.m.-4 p.m. Veterinary Feed Directive

Wednesday, Jan. 27

8 a.m.-10 a.m. Addressing the Challenges of Family
 Business

8 a.m.-10 a.m. Regulatory Update: What’s Ahead for 2016 and Understanding Salmonella

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Food Modernization Act – Phase III Training

8 a.m.-2 p.m. Poultry Handling and Transportation Quality Assurance

9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Poultry Market Intelligence Forum

Thursday, Jan. 28

8 a.m.-10 a.m. Global Food Safety Initiative: Planning for Success

8 a.m.-10 a.m. Processing Technology Workshop

8 a.m.-12 p.m. Feed Production: Updates on Issues
 Impacting Your Business

8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: Lessons Learned

9 a.m.-12 p.m. Wastewater Treatment Challenges: Five Shades of Gray

12 p.m.-5 p.m. International Rendering Symposium

Friday, Jan. 29

8 a.m.-12 p.m. International Rendering Symposium