IFT Food Expo and FPSA's PROCESS EXPO to Co-Locate Events in 2010

Contact: For more information or inquiries please contact: Randy Taussig, VP of Marketing, Rtaussig@fpsa.org OR Jeannie Houchins, Director of Media Relations, Jhouchins@ift.org

Chicago, IL – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) today announced a new agreement to co-locate the IFT Food Expo and FSPA’s Process Expo at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center beginning in July 18-20, 2010. This brings together two premiere events that will draw a range food industry professionals interested in product development, processing, packaging and the science of food.

Each year, FPSA’s Process Expo draws approximately 10,000 packaging and processing and packaging professionals during its three-day meeting, while the IFT Annual Meeting and Food Expo® welcomes over 20,000 professionals working in the food science and technology fields . In 2010, the two events will be held on separate expo floors, but will be located in close proximity within McCormick Place Convention Center to expand offerings for those interested in food science and 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 visit 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.”

With this co-location, there is a unique opportunity to expand food safety education across the food chain. 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. In addition, the combination of both Expos creates an additional value for corporate teams with interests ranging from product development and to production.

According to FSPA President, George Melynkovich, “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.fspa.org.

About FPSA

The Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) is a global trade association serving suppliers in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. The Association's programs and services support member's success by providing assistance in marketing their products and services, overall improvement in key business practices and many opportunities to network among industry colleagues. Programs and services to achieve these objectives include PROCESS EXPO (industry leading trade show), electronic media marketing, education, market intelligence, research, and advocation of critical industry issues such as food safety, sanitary design of equipment, and global trade. For more information on FPSA, visit www.fpsa.org.

About IFT

Founded in 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists is a nonprofit scientific society with more than 20,000 individual members working in food science, food technology, and related professions in industry, academia, and government. IFT serves as a conduit for multidisciplinary science thought leadership, championing the use of sound science through knowledge sharing, education, and advocacy. For more information on IFT, visit www.ift.org.