Trade Orgs to Present Massive Food Industry Expo

The American Meat Institute (AMI), Food Marketing Institute (FMI), United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh) and National Association of State Departments of Agriculture are gearing up for the largest food industry exposition of its kind. The four shows will be co-located in Dallas this April and May for One Big Event, featuring 1,200 exhibitors and 1 million square feet of the latest food technology and trends on display.

More than 25,000 food industry decision-makers are expected to attend the expo, which will offer engaging keynote speakers and up-to-the-minute educational sessions.

The show floor at AMI’s International Meat, Poultry & Seafood Industry Convention and Exposition will feature a new exhibitors pavilion and all the latest technology relating to food safety, plant operations and packaging innovations. The show’s interactive format will enable attendees to see and touch equipment and discuss practical business applications to increase productivity.

FMI’s food retail show, FMI2012, will bring together retailers and wholesalers to learn how best to expand market reach and meet consumer demands. Special events include store tours, an idea exchange breakfast, a Round-Up Reception and the Supermarket Chef Showdown. The show floor will display the most recent products and ideas for brand enhancement, profit acceleration and overcoming market challenges.FMI will also host Solutions Centers, or centralized idea exchange centers, on issues from front end to sustainability on the show floor, at which attendees can meet with industry experts in a non-selling atmosphere.

United Fresh 2012 will host customized programs for each segment of the produce industry, along with keynote presentations by FMI chairman and Harris Teeter CEO Fred Morganthall and former First Lady Laura Bush. The floor will offer new products and innovations in the United Fresh Marketplace, food safety education, fresh-cut/value-added technology displays, supply chain logistics, transportation solutions and more.

The U.S. Food Showcase, sponsored by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), is designed for small and medium-sized food companies that wish to grow their export businesses. As the agency of USDA responsible for assisting U.S. exporters of food and agricultural products, FAS works with NASDA to promote the event worldwide through its 70 overseas offices.