The second biennial ProFood Tech, which opened Tuesday of this week in Chicago, welcomed thousands of food and beverage professionals and over 400 processing suppliers to more than 110,000 net square feet of exhibit space filled with pioneering products, the latest processing technology and equipment, and innovative business solutions. Powered by three of the world’s trade show leaders – PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies; Koelnmesse, the organizer of Anuga; and IDFA – ProFood Tech remains unprecedented in its ability to bring the industry together and address the key issues facing food and beverage processors in North America.
“We’re pleased that ProFood Tech continues to be the best place for buyers and suppliers in food and beverage processing to discuss cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions that will foster growth and prosperity, especially in the dairy industry,” said Neil Moran, IDFA senior vice president of finance, administration and trade show.
“IDFA also offered 25 hours of free, on-floor educational programming, which garnered a good deal of attention from both attendees and exhibitors,” Moran added. “Keeping the sessions on the show floor was a winning idea, and we look forward to enhancing our educational efforts in 2021.”
The ProFood Tech Knowledge Hub, produced by IDFA, offered a range of learning experiences led by industry thought leaders. The sessions were located in three venues:
- The Impact Zone encouraged discussions and sharing of experiences of industry colleagues.
- The Innovation Zone featured breakthrough technologies and formulations to spark ideas and uncover fresh opportunities.
- The Disruption Zone delivered sessions on how to make the most of disruptive technologies to meet consumer demands.
Additional IDFA Activities
On Tuesday, the Opening Day Reception hosted by the three show partners attracted both attendees and exhibitors alike, providing an excellent networking opportunity. IDFA also hosted The Dairy Bar, which allowed attendees to sample delicious dairy products and beverages on the show floor while networking with colleagues. Everyone enjoyed the selection of products donated by sixteen IDFA members. Products ranged from assorted milks, ice cream, cheeses, yogurts and a selection of new protein and energy drinks. For exhibitors, IDFA presented The Dairy Pavilion, which featured more than 110 Exhibitors, including 17 Gold Business Partners and 75 Business Partners, demonstrating the latest in dairy processing technology and innovation.
IDFA would like to thank our partners, other Dairy Pavilion exhibitors and dairy industry attendees for their continued support of ProFood Tech. IDFA also thanks the following 16 member companies that donated products distributed at The Dairy Bar:
- Ascent Protein unit of Leprino Foods Company
- Crystal Farms Dairy Company
- Danone North America
- Glanbia Nutritionals
- Great Lakes Cheese Co., Inc.
- Hiland Dairy Foods Co., LLC
- The Ice Cream Club, Inc.
- The Kroger Co.
- Mars Chocolate North America
- Materne North America
- Pierre's Ice Cream Company
- Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.
- Rich Ice Cream Company
- Sargento Foods Inc.
- Schoep's Ice Cream Co., Inc.
- Shamrock Foods Company
In conjunction with ProFood Tech, IDFA held meetings of its Executive Council and the five newly established Industry Segment Boards.
Today is the final day of ProFood Tech. IDFA will share more details and comments from show participants in the next issue of Connect.
Members with questions may contact Jessica Matsko, IDFA coordinator of administration and accounting services, at jmatsko@idfa.org.