Food Safety Summit Expo, Rosemont, USA

Food Safety Summit Expo, Rosemont, USA: Guarding the Plate, From Farm to Fork

In the complex global food system, there’s one overarching priority that unites every stakeholder: food safety. A single lapse can have catastrophic consequences, impacting public health, damaging brands, and disrupting economies. For the dedicated professionals tirelessly working to ensure the integrity of our food supply, from production to plate, the Food Safety Summit Expo & Conference stands as an indispensable annual gathering.

This isn’t just another trade show; it’s a critical forum for education, collaboration, and the unveiling of cutting-edge solutions that fortify every link in the food safety chain. It’s where industry, government, academia, and technology converge to tackle the most pressing challenges facing food safety today.

The Epicenter of Assurance: The Venue and Its Time

The Food Safety Summit Expo & Conference consistently finds its ideal home at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, located at 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018, USA. This state-of-the-art facility in the convenient suburb of Rosemont, just moments from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, provides an accessible and well-equipped environment for this vital event. Its expansive halls accommodate a comprehensive exhibition floor, while numerous conference rooms host a robust educational program.

The Food Safety Summit is an annual event, making it a consistent fixture on the calendar for food safety professionals. The upcoming Food Safety Summit Expo & Conference 2025 is scheduled for May 12-15, 2025. The event typically runs for four days, with the main conference and expo spanning the central three days, often preceded by in-depth workshops and certification courses on the first day. This structured timing allows attendees to immerse themselves fully in learning, networking, and discovering new solutions.

The Arsenal of Protection: Product Categories and Solutions

The exhibition floor and comprehensive educational tracks at the Food Safety Summit cover a vast array of technologies, services, and best practices essential for maintaining the highest standards of food safety and quality. The “product categories” here encompass the entire ecosystem of food safety solutions:

Testing & Diagnostics: This is a cornerstone of food safety. Discover the latest in rapid detection kits, microbiological testing, pathogen identification, allergen detection, chemical residue analysis, and advanced laboratory equipment for accurate and timely results. This includes PCR testing, immunoassay kits, and environmental monitoring solutions.
Traceability & Supply Chain Management: Explore systems and software that enable end-to-end traceability of food products, from farm to fork. This includes blockchain technology, RFID, barcode scanning, GPS tracking, and digital platforms that ensure transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain.
Hygienic Design & Sanitation: Learn about best practices and equipment for plant sanitation, including Clean-in-Place (CIP) and Clean-out-of-Place (COP) systems, hygienic processing equipment, advanced cleaning chemicals, and environmental control technologies to prevent contamination.
Quality Management Systems (QMS) & Software: Delve into software solutions for managing food safety programs, regulatory compliance, risk assessment, corrective actions, audit management, and documentation control (e.g., HACCP, FSMA compliance software).
Food Safety Training & Certification: Connect with providers offering specialized training programs, certification courses (e.g., HACCP, PCQI – Preventive Controls Qualified Individual), and workforce development resources to ensure your team is knowledgeable and compliant.
Pest Control Solutions: Explore integrated pest management (IPM) strategies and technologies specifically designed for food processing environments to prevent contamination from pests.
Consulting & Auditing Services: Engage with expert consultants and third-party auditors who provide guidance on regulatory compliance, GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) standards, risk management, and food safety program development.
Cleaning & Sanitation Equipment: See innovative washing systems, high-pressure cleaners, sanitization equipment, and tools designed to maintain impeccable hygiene in food facilities.
Environmental Monitoring & Air Quality: Solutions for monitoring pathogens, allergens, and other contaminants in the plant environment, including air filtration systems and surface sampling technologies.
Packaging & Shelf-Life Technologies: Learn about packaging solutions that enhance food safety, extend shelf life, and prevent contamination, including modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), active packaging, and tamper-evident solutions.
Water Treatment & Management: Technologies for ensuring safe water supply within food processing, including filtration, disinfection, and water quality monitoring systems.
Food Safety Litigation & Crisis Management: Gain insights into legal aspects of food safety, crisis communication, and effective response strategies in the event of a foodborne illness outbreak or recall.

This holistic approach ensures that attendees can find solutions for every facet of their food safety programs.

The Guardians of Our Grub: Visitor Count and Demographics

The Food Safety Summit Expo & Conference attracts a highly dedicated and influential audience, making it a powerful networking platform. In recent years, the event has seen significant growth, underscoring the increasing importance of food safety. The 2024 event, for example, saw over 3,400 food safety professionals attend, indicating a robust and engaged community. The show floor also typically hosts over 100 exhibitors, showcasing a wide array of solutions.

The attendee profile is highly diverse, bringing together key decision-makers and implementers from across the entire food supply chain:

Food Safety Professionals: From plant-level food safety coordinators to corporate VPs of food safety and quality assurance.
Quality Assurance/Control Managers: Responsible for ensuring product quality and compliance.
Regulatory & Compliance Officials: Representatives from federal agencies (FDA, USDA, CDC), state, and local health departments.
Process Engineers & Operations Managers: Focused on integrating food safety into manufacturing processes.
Microbiologists & Lab Managers: Experts in foodborne pathogen detection and analysis.
Consultants & Auditors: Providing external expertise and verification services.
Retailers & Foodservice Directors: Ensuring safe handling and preparation practices at the point of consumption.
Growers & Producers: Implementing food safety practices at the agricultural level.
Supply Chain & Logistics Managers: Overseeing the safe transport and storage of food products.
Attorneys: Specializing in food law and litigation.
Academics & Researchers: Presenting new scientific findings and educational programs.

This interdisciplinary gathering fosters rich discussions and comprehensive problem-solving.

The Recipe for Resilience: Benefits and Perks of Attending

Attending the Food Safety Summit Expo & Conference offers unparalleled advantages for any professional committed to safeguarding the food supply:

Comprehensive Education: Gain invaluable knowledge from a robust educational program covering everything from emerging pathogens and regulatory updates (like FSMA) to supply chain resilience and the latest in testing technologies. Learn from government leaders, industry experts, and academic pioneers.
Direct Access to Regulators: The summit often features a highly anticipated “Town Hall” session with leaders from the FDA, USDA, and CDC, providing a unique opportunity to hear directly from and ask questions of top regulatory officials.
Discover Cutting-Edge Solutions: Explore the expansive exhibit hall filled with innovative technologies, products, and services from leading solution providers. See live demonstrations of testing equipment, traceability software, sanitation systems, and more.
Unrivaled Networking: Connect face-to-face with thousands of your peers, industry leaders, and government officials from across the entire food ecosystem. These interactions are invaluable for sharing best practices, discussing challenges, and forging lasting professional relationships.
Professional Development & Certification: The summit offers dedicated pre-conference workshops and certification courses (e.g., HACCP, PCQI, Food Fraud Prevention) that can enhance your credentials and expand your skill set. Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to maintain your professional standing.
Stay Ahead of Emerging Issues: The food safety landscape is constantly evolving. The summit is designed to keep you informed about emerging threats, new regulations, and the latest scientific advancements that impact your operations.
Problem-Solving & Strategy: Bring your specific food safety challenges to the summit. You’ll find a wealth of expertise and solutions to help you mitigate risks, improve compliance, and enhance your overall food safety program.
Build a Stronger Food Safety Culture: Gain insights into leadership, communication, and training strategies to foster a robust food safety culture within your organization, driving continuous improvement.

Your Rosemont Retreat: Nearby Hotels and Convenient Stay

Rosemont is perfectly set up for convention-goers, with many hotels directly connected to or within very close walking distance of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. This proximity makes attending the Food Safety Summit incredibly convenient, regardless of the weather.

Some highly recommended hotels near the convention center include:

Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago: Directly connected to the convention center via an enclosed skywalk, offering supreme convenience.
Hilton Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare: Also directly connected by a skywalk, another popular choice for attendees.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport Rosemont: Offers all-suite accommodations and complimentary breakfast, often just a short walk or shuttle ride away.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago O’Hare Airport – Rosemont: A reliable option with good amenities, also very close to the venue.
Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel: A luxurious choice offering excellent service, a short shuttle ride from the convention center.
Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel & Conf Ctr: Another well-regarded option very close to the venue.

Many of these hotels also provide complimentary shuttle services to O’Hare International Airport, further simplifying travel logistics. Given the importance of the Food Safety Summit, it is strongly advised to book your accommodation well in advance to secure the best rates and your preferred proximity to the event.

The Investment in Protection: Understanding the Cost

The Food Safety Summit Expo & Conference is a comprehensive event, and its registration fees reflect the extensive educational program, access to experts, and networking opportunities it provides. Pricing typically varies based on your organization type (for-profit vs. non-profit/government/academia) and the package you choose. Early bird rates offer significant savings.

For the 2025 Food Safety Summit, here’s a general idea of the costs (early bird pricing listed first, followed by regular pricing):

3-Day Package (Includes all sessions, events, expo hall):
- For-Profit Companies: $1125 / $1225 USD
- Non-Profit Organizations (Academia, Government, Non-Profit Associations): $975 / $1075 USD
2-Day Package:
- For-Profit Companies: $1075 / $1125 USD
- Non-Profit Organizations: $775 / $875 USD
1-Day Package:
- For-Profit Companies: $795 / $895 USD
- Non-Profit Organizations: $525 / $625 USD
Exhibit Hall Only Pass (Excludes educational sessions and lunch):
- For-Profit Companies: $395 / $425 USD
- Non-Profit Organizations: $25 / $275 USD
Certificate Courses (Separate registration, not included in packages, but often offer a discount if adding a full conference package):
- Food Fraud Prevention Workshop: $575 / $650 USD
- Application of the Principles of Hazard Analysis: $575 / $650 USD
- Certified Professional – Food Safety (2-day course): $1775 / $1875 USD (includes full Summit access during non-course hours)
- Preventive Controls for Human Food (2.5-day course): $1575 / $1675 USD (includes full Summit access during non-course hours)

Group rates are often available, typically offering a 50% discount starting with the third attendee when registered together for the same package type. Always check the official Food Safety Summit website for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing, registration deadlines, and any available promotional offers. Consider this investment as a crucial step towards strengthening your food safety programs and protecting public health.

Your Essential Stop for Food Safety Excellence

The Food Safety Summit Expo & Conference in Rosemont, USA, is more than just an event; it’s a vital pillar for the entire food industry. It’s where the latest science meets practical application, where regulators engage with industry, and where solutions are found to ensure the safety and integrity of the food we all rely on. If you are committed to upholding the highest standards of food safety, this summit is your essential annual destination.

To learn more and secure your attendance at the next Food Safety Summit Expo & Conference, visit: food-safety.com/food-safety-summit