The exposition floor at IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo this year will exemplify this year’s theme of ‘Innovation in a Time of Crisis: Can We Future-Proof the Food System?’, the event organisers have said, with a series of food innovation educational opportunities for attendees all in one location. This includes the food innovation expo, panel discussions, a research showcase, a startup pavilion and a product development lab.
IFT FIRST, which is being held 16-19 July 2023, at McCormick Place in Chicago, is hosted by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific organisation committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system.
“Everything that makes IFT, its members and the science of food community so special can be found on the expo floor at IFT FIRST. I am so excited to join attendees at the various points throughout the expo floor, each offering a unique perspective on how we can leverage innovation to protect our global food supply in our annual celebration of food science,” said Christie Tarantino-Dean, CEO of IFT.
The centrepiece of the expo floor will be one of the largest B2B food innovation expo with over 850 exhibitors showcasing the latest in food ingredients, equipment, processing, technology and packaging solutions. Attendees can also enjoy an array of ingredient samples, interactive demos and product tastings.
The Startup Pavilion will be a celebration of entrepreneurship as 80+ food and food tech businesses in all stages of growth will showcasing cutting-edge solutions and applications. This year’s pavilion features startups from 13 countries who have the opportunity to participate in a competition spanning three days for a chance to win prizes totalling US$15,000.
Nearby on the expo floor is the Business FIRST stage presented by Food Technology and omnivore, IFT’s flagship magazine and podcast. Covering topics such as regenerative agriculture and food waste to sustainability and plant-based products, each 20-30 minute live panel discussion will address the challenges and opportunities in food science.
Attendees can also enjoy the Research Showcase stage where participants can present their work and conduct a Q&A session. IFT FIRST will wrap up with an engaging, interactive experience focused on real world product development scenarios that will challenge participants to create new food products by using real world consumer profiles while addressing some of the biggest challenges facing the global food supply today.
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