Process Expo, The Global Food Equipment and Technology Show, aims to pack a lot of information into three days for the food industry professionals that attend. Scheduled October 23–25 in the South Hall of Chicago’s McCormick Convention Center, the agenda features a broad range of educational sessions, engagement opportunity, and networking programs for snack producers, bakery leaders, and other food industry folks that attend the show.

“We’ve put a lot of thought into creating unique opportunities for in-person interaction this year,” says Kristy Meade, vice president of technical textiles and technology shows for show organizer Messe Frankfurt Inc. “Everyone at the show will find an experience that fits their needs, whether it’s sourcing new suppliers and buyers, identifying new and emerging technologies, or discussing the latest trends and topics with the brightest minds in the industry.”

Live demonstrations
One of the appeals of traveling to in-person events is the opportunity to see equipment in action. This year, Process Expo’s exhibit floor will provide attendees the chance to see three different live production lines, enabling participants to witness the processing and packaging of empanadas, pet treats, and bacon.

“This collection of leading OEMs doesn’t just show food manufacturers how to produce and package these products in the most efficient way possible, by incorporating AI and advanced automation into these demonstrations, they’ll also be teaching the end user how best to take advantage of the data for even greater production,” remarks Andy Drennan, senior vice president of the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA).


Networking and charity
Another plus of attending events like Process Expo in person: the many networking events on the schedule offer a chance to connect with potential partners that can help advance their business, and their professional development. Events are slated to take place throughout the show both on and off the exhibit hall floor.

Networking events include the FPSA Women’s Alliance Network Breakfast, scheduled Tuesday, October 24. In addition to recognizing the contributions of women who have made a significant impact on the food and beverage industries, the event offers a chance for attendees to connect and discuss future opportunities to work together. FPSA Network Meet-Ups will offer the chance to network on the show floor. Then, Career Development Center (located on the show floor) will offer visitors a chance to engage with industry professionals, to learn tips and best practices for starting or accelerating a career path in the industry.

Finally, the Defeat Hunger Campaign—a partnership between the FPSA, its FPSA Foundation, and the Greater Chicago Food Depository provides an opportunity for industry members to help combat food security in Process Expo 2023’s host city. People are invited to contribute in three ways:

• Online donations to the event’s Virtual Food Drive
• Write a check payable to the Greater Chicago Food Depository with “Defeat Hunger 2023” in the memo line, and mail it to 4100 W. Ann Lurie Pl, Chicago, IL 60632 (email FPSA’s Elena Sierra at esierra@fpsa.org to ensure the money goes toward the campaign).

For an update on the 2023 campaign, attend the Defeat Hunger Press Conference on Tuesday, October 24 at 1 pm in the Grand Concourse of McCormick Place.

Educational opportunities
The Food for Thought educational program will feature a three-day series of complimentary info-packed sessions. Taking place right on the show floor, these sessions focus on the latest trends and technologies available to the food field. Attendees can learn about vital issues like workforce optimization, next-generation design and automation, and the opportunities and effects of digital transformation.

Food for Thought sessions include:

• Innovating Through a Crisis: Monday, October 23, 11 am
• Greenstarting: Three Areas to Kickstart Your Sustainability Commitments: Monday, October 23, 2 pm
• Design and Advanced Automation Best Practices: Tuesday, October 24, 11 am
• Return on Investment of Product Inspection Devices, Tuesday, October 24, 12:30 pm
• Robotics in the Workplace: Wednesday, October 25, 11 am
• Tackling Top Food Safety Non-Conformities, Wednesday, October 25, 1 pm

Industry honors
Each year, the staff of Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery chooses an operation that has distinguished itself to a level that earns the right to be singled out above all the other excellent bakery companies. That bakery is named our Bakery of the Year, with criteria including notable growth, impressive product capabilities, significant leadership, and overall excellent. The recipient is profiled in our October cover story, promoted throughout the year, and recognized during Process Expo.

This year’s Bakery of the Year ceremony will take place Wednesday, October 25 at 12 pm, in Food for Thought Theater 2 (booth 5544). Find out the name of this year’s Bakery of the Year honoree here.

Also, the Innovation Awards are designed to honor exhibiting companies that have produced the most innovative technologies in their respective industries. The winners will be announced on October 23 at 1 pm in Food for Thought Theater 2 (booth 5544), recognizing companies in four different categories:

• Best New Product
• Best New Application
• Best New Technology for Sustainability
• Best New Technology for Automation

Attendees can explore the show floor to see these innovations on display and learn how these exhibitors are driving thought leadership and positively influencing their industries.

Each year, Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery select one outstanding bakery company to honor as the “Bakery of the Year” based on that company’s strong growth, new product capabilities, industry leadership, and overall excellence. The 2023 “Bakery of the Year” recipient will be announced at the beginning of October, and the award presentation will be hosted at Process Expo 2023 on Wednesday, October 25.

Why attend?
While busy snack and bakery producers and leaders might find it hard to tear themselves away from their facilities to spend time at a conference and exposition event like Process Expo 2023, organizers believe the agenda offers professionals in snack production, baking, and other food sectors enough value to make the time and budget investment in attendance worthwhile.

“We’ve created experiences that not only provide an opportunity for our visitors to see and engage with new products and innovations, but also network with, learn from, and celebrate leaders from across the industry,” says Drennan. SF&WB

VDG is the leader in the design and manufacturing of drum motors for belt conveyors, with a strong focus on safety, reliability, and longevity. Manufacturing in-house in the USA and Canada for 38 years, using cutting-edge production technology and automation, VDG ensures product quality, fast delivery, and after-sales support.

For food processing and handling belt conveyor applications, SSV Series Drum Motors are designed to drive modular conveyor belts without using sprockets, eliminating crevices that trap food by-products and bacterial harborage, reducing washdown time and water usage by 50%. SSV Drum Motors feature an IP69K-rated sealing system and withstand up to 3,000 psi washdown pressure.

Visit us at Process Expo Booth #2148 to see the new SSV-XP Drum Motor that has a removable profiled sleeve which offers processors the flexibility to use the same drum motor when a changeover to another belt is required for a different type of food processing.

VDG (VAN DER GRAAF)

www.vandergraaf.com
Booth #2148