Feeding the Future: Your Definitive Guide to the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), Atlanta, USA!

Atlanta – the vibrant capital of Georgia, a city steeped in history, rich in culture, and a burgeoning hub for business and innovation. It’s here, in the heart of the American South, that the global poultry, meat, and animal food industries converge for their most significant annual event: the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). This isn’t just a trade show; it’s a massive, integrated powerhouse, a strategic platform designed to foster collaboration, ignite innovation, and unveil the revolutionary equipment, technologies, and services that are shaping the future of protein production and processing worldwide. Imagine stepping onto a colossal show floor, pulsating with the energy of thousands of industry leaders, discerning buyers, and visionary engineers. You’re surrounded by everything from cutting-edge robotic processing lines and advanced feed manufacturing systems to sustainable animal welfare solutions and the latest in food safety protocols. This is your unparalleled opportunity to discover groundbreaking technologies, explore transformative production techniques, dissect the freshest industry trends, and cultivate invaluable connections that will optimize your operations, boost your output, and ensure the highest quality for consumers globally. For poultry, meat, and animal food professionals, equipment manufacturers, packaging specialists, ingredient suppliers, and anyone committed to advancing the protein production chain, IPPE is not merely an option—it’s an essential annual pilgrimage for staying ahead of the curve, finding profound inspiration, and cultivating unparalleled growth in today’s fiercely competitive and ever-evolving market.

The global protein production and processing industry is undergoing a period of rapid and significant transformation. Consumers are increasingly demanding not only safe and affordable protein but also greater transparency in sourcing, sustainable practices, and products that align with ethical considerations. From the growing adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning in processing to the emphasis on animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and enhanced biosecurity, the industry is reshaping its operations to meet these complex demands. IPPE stands as the crucial nexus point for these transformations, connecting the entire value chain, unveiling critical market intelligence, and fostering the collaborative relationships that drive the industry forward. It’s where innovative startups gain vital exposure, established giants refine their strategies for optimizing production, and groundbreaking solutions for operational efficiency and food safety are discovered. If you’re looking to upgrade your processing lines, source new feed ingredients, implement state-of-the-art automation, understand evolving consumer demands, or simply immerse yourself in the passionate and forward-thinking community of protein production and processing professionals, attending IPPE offers an unmatched opportunity to learn, discover, and propel your business to unprecedented heights.

The Epicenter of Protein Production: Venue and Time

IPPE consistently chooses one of the largest and most technologically advanced convention facilities in North America, ensuring an impactful and efficient experience for all attendees.

Atlanta’s Premier Exhibition Space: The Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) is consistently held at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The official address for the Georgia World Congress Center is 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313. As one of the largest convention centers in the world, the GWCC offers an immense amount of state-of-the-art exhibition space (typically over half a million square feet for IPPE), numerous meeting rooms, and advanced technological capabilities. Its central location in downtown Atlanta, adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park and easily accessible from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), makes it exceptionally convenient. The GWCC also benefits from excellent public transportation links, including MARTA (Atlanta’s rapid transit system), connecting directly to hotels, dining, and attractions throughout the city. The sheer scale and robust infrastructure of the GWCC make it the ideal venue for an event of IPPE’s magnitude and global importance to the protein production and processing industries.

An Annual Convergence of Innovation: The Schedule IPPE is an annual event, consistently taking place in late January. This strategic timing allows industry professionals to gather at the beginning of the year, providing an optimal opportunity to review the previous year’s performance, finalize strategic plans for the upcoming year, discover new products and technologies for immediate implementation, and gain critical insights into emerging trends that will define the protein production landscape for the months and years ahead.

For 2026, the IPPE is scheduled to run from Tuesday, January 27, 2026 – Thursday, January 29, 2026.

The event typically spans three intensive days, with a meticulously designed schedule to maximize education, discovery, and networking opportunities:

• Expo Hall Hours: The expansive exhibition floor is typically open during standard daytime hours, allowing ample time for attendees to explore hundreds of booths.
  • Tuesday, January 27: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
  • Wednesday, January 28: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
  • Thursday, January 29: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM EST (shorter hours on the final day for move-out)
• Education Programs: IPPE is renowned for its extensive and high-quality educational programming. These sessions often begin on Monday, January 26, before the expo hall officially opens, and continue throughout the event. There are typically over 80 hours of world-class programs, covering a vast array of critical topics, including:
  • Animal Food/Feed: Feed manufacturing technologies, ingredients, nutrition, and safety.
  • Poultry & Egg: Live production, hatchery, processing, egg production, and further processing.
  • Meat: Slaughter, evisceration, further processing, and packaging for beef, pork, and other meats.
  • Food Safety & Quality Assurance: Advanced sanitation, pathogen detection, traceability, and regulatory compliance.
  • Automation & Robotics: The latest in automated processing lines, robotic integration, and AI-driven solutions.
  • Sustainability & Animal Welfare: Environmental best practices, responsible sourcing, and animal handling.
  • Workforce Development: Strategies for talent attraction, retention, and training.
  • International Trade: Market trends, export opportunities, and global regulations.
• TECHTalks: These popular on-floor presentations feature exhibitors sharing their expertise through 20-minute sessions on a variety of areas, including food safety, animal welfare, feed production, sustainability, and more.
• New Product Showcase: A dedicated area highlighting the latest efficiency-enhancing and cost-cutting technologies and services, allowing attendees to quickly identify innovations.
• Live Demonstrations: Many exhibitors operate their machinery live on the show floor, providing attendees with a real-time view of equipment capabilities.
• Networking Events: Numerous opportunities for attendees to connect with peers, industry leaders, and potential suppliers. These can include welcome receptions, young leaders programs, and various informal gatherings throughout the show.
• College Student Career Program: A unique program organized and funded by USPOULTRY, bringing eligible college students to experience the expo and interview for jobs with top companies, fostering the next generation of industry leaders.

This comprehensive and strategically planned schedule ensures that every attendee, from a small farm owner to a large industrial plant manager, finds immense value in terms of cutting-edge content, groundbreaking product discovery, and crucial connections to propel their protein production and processing business forward.

From Farm to Table: Key Product and Service Categories

IPPE is a collaborative effort of three major shows – the International Feed Expo, the International Meat Expo, and the International Poultry Expo – representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. This integrated approach ensures a comprehensive showcase across numerous product and service categories:

• Animal Feed & Nutrition:
  • Feed Ingredients: Grains, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, additives, enzymes.
  • Feed Mill Equipment: Grinders, mixers, pellet mills, extruders, storage systems, conveyors, automation for feed production.
  • Feed Formulation Software: Nutrition analysis, ingredient management, least-cost formulation.
  • Animal Health Products: Vaccines, pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements for livestock and poultry.
  • Pet Food Manufacturing: Equipment and ingredients specifically for pet food production.
• Poultry & Egg Production & Processing:
  • Live Production Equipment: Hatchery equipment, brooding systems, ventilation, feeding and watering systems, environmental control.
  • Poultry Housing: Latest designs for broiler, layer, and turkey houses, including cage-free solutions.
  • Egg Collection & Grading: Automated egg collection, washing, grading, and packaging systems.
  • Slaughter & Evisceration Equipment: Automated processing lines for poultry, deboning machines, chilling systems.
  • Further Processing Equipment: Portioning, cooking (frying, roasting, smoking), marinating, coating, and forming equipment for poultry products.
  • Breeding Stock: Information and solutions for poultry genetics and breeding programs.
• Meat Processing:
  • Slaughter & Evisceration Equipment: Advanced systems for beef, pork, and other red meats, including stunning, bleeding, dressing, and inspection.
  • Further Processing Equipment: Cutting, grinding, mixing, emulsifying, forming, cooking (curing, smoking, cooking), and slicing equipment for meat products.
  • Cured & Processed Meats: Equipment and ingredients for sausages, deli meats, and other value-added products.
  • Meat Ingredients: Spices, seasonings, marinades, binders, and functional ingredients for meat products.
• Packaging Equipment & Materials: Crucial for product protection, shelf life, and branding across all protein types.
  • Primary Packaging: Vacuum packaging, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), flow wrappers, thermoforming, bagging, tray sealing.
  • Secondary & Tertiary Packaging: Cartoning, case packing, palletizing, stretch wrapping.
  • Labeling & Coding: Printers, label applicators, vision inspection systems for traceability and branding.
  • Sustainable Packaging: Biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable packaging solutions.
• General Plant Operations & Services: Solutions applicable across all sectors.
  • Automation & Robotics: Robotic systems for processing, handling, and packaging; advanced control systems, AI, and IoT for smart factories.
  • Food Safety & Quality Assurance: Sanitation equipment, cleaning chemicals, inspection systems (X-ray, metal detection), lab testing, HACCP/FSMA compliance, traceability software.
  • Material Handling & Conveying: Conveyor systems, forklifts, hoists, storage solutions.
  • Water & Wastewater Treatment: Systems for processing water purification and effluent treatment.
  • Environmental & Energy Solutions: Energy efficiency equipment, waste management, renewable energy.
  • Refrigeration & Climate Control: Industrial refrigeration units, cold storage facilities, HVAC systems.
  • Workforce Development & Training: Programs for skilled labor, safety training, and management.
  • Business Services: Consulting, engineering, financing, insurance, regulatory compliance, logistics.

This incredibly diverse and specialized range ensures that any professional looking to operate, supply, or innovate within the animal food, meat, or poultry sectors can find the products, technologies, and services necessary to enhance their operations, boost profitability, and meet the dynamic demands of today’s global protein market.

The World Gathers Here: Visitor and Exhibitor Count

IPPE consistently attracts an unparalleled number of highly qualified professionals, solidifying its status as the world’s largest annual event for the poultry, meat, and animal food industries.

• Visitor Count: IPPE boasts impressive, often record-breaking, attendance figures. For the 2025 edition, the show reported a remarkable 30,502 registered attendees from the poultry, egg, meat, and animal food industries. This included a significant international contingent of 8,909 attendees from 129 countries. Canada had the largest international representation, making up 15% of registered attendees, while Latin America continued to show the strongest regional presence, accounting for 49% of international attendees. The diverse attendee profile includes:
  • Processors (meat, poultry, egg).
  • Feed manufacturers.
  • Live production managers.
  • Plant operations managers.
  • Engineers and R&D specialists.
  • Quality assurance and food safety professionals.
  • Purchasing managers and buyers.
  • CEOs and business owners.
  • Distributors, wholesalers, and brokers.
  • Industry analysts, consultants, and financial professionals. The truly global representation, with attendees from over 120 countries, underscores IPPE’s international importance and broad reach within the protein production and processing sectors.
• Exhibitor Count: The Expo Hall at IPPE is immense, showcasing a diverse array of companies. For the 2025 edition, the show featured an impressive 1,385 exhibitors covering an expansive 598,373 square feet of exhibit space. Exhibitors range from multinational corporations and established brands to emerging startups, all eager to connect with buyers and decision-makers. The sheer volume and diversity of exhibitors ensure that attendees can find solutions for virtually every aspect of their protein production and processing business.

The high concentration of key decision-makers, combined with the immense scale of the exhibition and the truly global representation, makes IPPE an incredibly efficient and productive environment for business development, market intelligence gathering, and forging powerful, lasting industry connections.

Unlocking Potential: Benefits and Perks of Attending

Attending IPPE is not merely an expenditure; it’s a strategic investment that delivers unparalleled returns for any professional operating in the dynamic poultry, meat, and animal food industries.

• World’s Largest Industry Showcase: Gain direct access to the largest annual display of technology, equipment, supplies, and services for the production and processing of eggs, meat, and poultry, and those involved in feed manufacturing. See thousands of products and solutions under one roof.
• Experience Live Technology: Witness fully operational processing and packaging lines, showcasing machinery from multiple exhibitors working together in real-time. This unique opportunity allows you to see integrated solutions and understand how they can be implemented in your own operations.
• Comprehensive Educational Programs: Benefit from over 80 hours of expert-led education sessions designed to keep you updated on the latest trends, regulatory changes, and best practices in food safety, automation, animal welfare, sustainability, and more. Learn from the best minds in the industry.
• Unmatched Networking Opportunities: Connect with over 30,000 professionals, including industry leaders, decision-makers, suppliers, and peers from across the globe. Forge new partnerships, strengthen existing relationships, and exchange ideas that can lead to significant business growth.
• Discover Cutting-Edge Innovations: Explore the “New Product Showcase” and “TECHTalks” to identify the latest efficiency-enhancing and cost-cutting technologies, as well as groundbreaking services that are revolutionizing the industry. Be among the first to adopt the future of protein production.
• Industry-Specific Solutions: Find highly specialized equipment and services tailored to poultry, meat, and animal food production, ensuring that you discover solutions directly applicable to your specific operational needs.
• Global Market Insights: With attendees and exhibitors from over 120 countries, IPPE provides a unique global perspective on market trends, international trade opportunities, and global best practices, helping you identify new markets and strategies.
• Workforce Development & Talent Acquisition: Participate in programs like the “College Student Career Program” to connect with the next generation of industry talent, or explore solutions for training and retaining your existing workforce.
• Regulatory & Food Safety Compliance: Gain critical knowledge and discover technologies that help ensure compliance with the latest food safety standards and regulations, minimizing risks and protecting your brand.
• Tangible Return on Investment: The strategic advantages gained through new partnerships, discovered cost-saving technologies, and invaluable industry knowledge often far outweigh the cost of attendance, making IPPE an essential and highly profitable investment for your business’s sustained growth and success.

Your Atlanta Home: Nearby Hotels and Convenient Accommodation

Given IPPE’s location at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), Atlanta offers a wide array of hotel options, ranging from luxurious downtown hotels to more budget-friendly choices, all with varying degrees of convenience to the convention center.

• Hotels Connected to or Very Close to GWCC: These hotels offer the ultimate convenience, often allowing direct indoor access via skybridges or very short walks to the convention center.
  • Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park: Directly connected to the GWCC (Georgia World Congress Center, State Farm Arena, and College Football Hall of Fame). A top choice for convenience.
  • Hyatt Regency Atlanta: A prominent downtown hotel, often well-connected or a very short walk/MARTA ride.
  • Atlanta Marriott Marquis: Another large, well-known downtown option, easily accessible to the GWCC.
  • Hilton Atlanta: Popular choice with good access.
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park: Very close to the GWCC and Centennial Olympic Park.
  • Aloft by Marriott Atlanta Downtown: Another modern option near the GWCC.
• Downtown Atlanta / Centennial Olympic Park Area: Many hotels are clustered around Centennial Olympic Park, offering excellent walkability to GWCC and major attractions. These include:
  • The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.
  • Reverb by Hard Rock Downtown Atlanta.
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Atlanta Downtown.
  • Hyatt House Atlanta Downtown.
  • The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta (slightly further but premium option).
• Midtown / Buckhead (via MARTA): These areas offer more upscale dining, shopping, and nightlife. They are easily accessible to the GWCC via MARTA, typically a 10-20 minute train ride directly to the GWCC/CNN Center station.
• Official Housing Partner: IPPE typically partners with an official housing agency (e.g., Connections Housing). It is highly recommended to book your hotel through the official IPPE housing link provided on their website. This often guarantees discounted rates exclusively for IPPE attendees, ensures secure booking, and provides access to a wide selection of pre-negotiated hotels with convenient distances to the GWCC, along with relevant maps and shuttle information. Be cautious of unsolicited calls or emails from unofficial housing providers.

Given the immense scale and popularity of IPPE, booking your accommodation as early as possible is absolutely crucial to secure your preferred location and rate, especially for the prime hotels closest to the GWCC. The official housing block fills up quickly!

The Investment in Excellence: Understanding the Cost to Attend

Attending IPPE is a highly valuable investment that provides unparalleled access to industry insights, networking opportunities, and cutting-edge product discovery. Here’s a general understanding of the expected registration costs for the 2026 event (based on previous years’ pricing, as 2026 details are finalized closer to the date):

• Attendee Registration (Expo Only):
  • This typically grants access to the expansive exhibition hall for all show days.
  • Early bird rates (usually available until early January) could be around $85 USD.
  • Regular or on-site registration will be higher, potentially $135 USD or more.
• Full Conference Package / Education Pass:
  • This provides access to all education sessions, keynotes, and the expo hall for all days.
  • Pricing is often structured with discounts for members of the sponsoring organizations (American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), Meat Institute, and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY)).
  • Member rates for a full conference package could be around $300 – $500+ USD.
  • Non-member rates would be higher.
• “Members to Atlanta” (M2A) Program:
  • A significant perk for qualified attendees from member companies of the three sponsoring associations (AFIA, Meat Institute, USPOULTRY) who are engaged in the production of poultry, eggs, meat, or feed manufacturing. These individuals can often attend complimentary, thanks to the sponsorship of elite IPPE exhibitors. Check eligibility on the official website.
• Individual Education Session Tickets:
  • Sometimes available for those not purchasing a full conference pass, allowing access to specific paid sessions at a per-session cost.
• Exhibitor Booth Space:
  • For companies looking to exhibit, booth costs vary significantly based on size and location. Exhibitors are typically allocated a certain number of complimentary badges based on booth size, with additional badges available for purchase.

These fees generally cover access to the show itself and the experiences offered within the convention center. Attendees should also budget separately for personal travel (flights, local transportation), accommodation in Atlanta, and dining expenses. For the unparalleled opportunity to explore the latest innovations, connect with key decision-makers, and gain critical knowledge to drive success in the dynamic global protein production industry, the return on this investment is substantial and often critical for maintaining operational excellence and achieving a competitive advantage.

Elevate Your Enterprise: Your Journey to IPPE Success Begins Here!

The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta is more than just a convention; it’s the definitive annual forum for the global poultry, meat, and animal food industries. It’s a powerful, high-energy convergence of groundbreaking innovation, strategic insights, and essential business connections that shape the future of how the world’s protein is produced, processed, and brought to market. It’s where the most advanced technologies are unveiled, where new processing techniques are demonstrated live, and where vital partnerships are forged that propel the entire industry forward. Whether you’re a poultry producer looking to optimize your hatchery, a meat processor seeking advanced automation, an animal food manufacturer aiming to enhance your ingredients, or simply an industry professional passionate about staying at the forefront of this critical sector, attending IPPE is an indispensable experience that will ignite your passion, broaden your market knowledge, and empower you to lead in this highly competitive and rapidly evolving field. Don’t just adapt to change; drive it, innovate relentlessly, and achieve unparalleled success!

To learn more about the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), explore the full schedule, and plan your attendance for this must-attend industry event, visit: ippexpo.org