From Farm to Fork, and Beyond: Why PROCESS EXPO is the Ultimate Nexus for Food and Beverage Manufacturing

In the colossal and ever-evolving world of food and beverage production, success isn’t just about delicious recipes; it’s about precision, efficiency, safety, sustainability, and the relentless pursuit of innovation. Every single ingredient, every transformation, and every package that reaches the consumer is a testament to the intricate dance of processing and packaging technologies. For plant managers, engineers, R&D specialists, quality control professionals, and business leaders across the food and beverage sectors, staying ahead of the curve is not just beneficial—it’s absolutely indispensable for competitive advantage and sustainable growth. This is precisely why PROCESS EXPO stands as the definitive event in the United States, bringing together the entire ecosystem of food and beverage processing and packaging solutions.

PROCESS EXPO is far more than a typical trade show; it’s a dynamic, immersive, and comprehensive experience that serves as the global food equipment and technology show. It’s a colossal showcase of cutting-edge machinery, revolutionary ingredients, and ingenious solutions designed to optimize every stage of the food and beverage production lifecycle. It’s where professionals come to see live demonstrations of operational equipment, learn about emerging trends, discover advanced food safety protocols, and forge invaluable connections that drive their businesses forward. Organized by the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA), PROCESS EXPO is specifically tailored to the needs of the food and beverage processing and packaging industry. If you’re looking to streamline operations, enhance product quality, reduce waste, improve food safety, or simply discover the next big thing that will transform your production line, attending PROCESS EXPO offers an unmatched opportunity to learn, connect, and elevate your entire enterprise.

The Epicenter of Food & Beverage Innovation: The Venue and Its Time in Chicago, IL, USA

PROCESS EXPO consistently makes its home in the robust and strategically located city of Chicago, Illinois, USA. This choice leverages Chicago’s status as a major transportation and industrial hub, its rich history in food processing, and its central location within the North American market, making it an ideal gathering point for a global audience of food and beverage professionals.

For its upcoming iteration, PROCESS EXPO has rebranded to EATS: The Equipment And Technology Show for Food & Beverage, and will be held at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL, USA.

EATS (formerly PROCESS EXPO) 2025 is scheduled to take place from October 27-29, 2025, at McCormick Place, located at 2301 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL, USA. As North America’s largest convention center, McCormick Place offers unparalleled exhibition space, state-of-the-art facilities, and the capacity to host thousands of exhibitors and tens of thousands of attendees. Its prime location in Chicago provides excellent access to a vast array of hotels, world-class dining, and entertainment options, ensuring a comfortable and highly productive experience for all participants. The convention center is also well-connected to Chicago’s public transportation system and major airports.

PROCESS EXPO (now EATS) is a biennial event, typically taking place in the fall. This timing is ideal for industry professionals to evaluate new technologies and plan capital investments for the upcoming year.

The event typically spans three full days, providing ample time for in-depth exploration of the vast exhibit halls and participation in a comprehensive educational program:

• Day 1 (e.g., Monday, October 27, 2025): The exhibition floor opens, immediately buzzing with activity as attendees begin exploring hundreds of booths. The extensive educational program kicks off, featuring a packed schedule of seminars, workshops, and expert-led discussions.
• Day 2 (e.g., Tuesday, October 28, 2025): This is often the busiest day, with the exhibition and educational sessions continuing at full pace. Many specialized demonstrations and networking events take place.
• Day 3 (e.g., Wednesday, October 29, 2025): The final day offers a last opportunity for attendees to revisit specific suppliers, delve into more educational content, and gather any remaining critical information before the expo concludes, usually with an earlier closing time.

This focused, multi-day format ensures that visitors can efficiently absorb a significant amount of information, meet numerous potential solution providers, and get their crucial questions answered directly from industry experts and equipment manufacturers.

The Menu of Solutions: Key Product and Service Categories

PROCESS EXPO (EATS) showcases the entire spectrum of processing and packaging technologies, ingredients, and services critical to the food and beverage industry. The breadth of categories is designed to cater to professionals across all sectors of food production, from fresh produce to prepared meals, and from dairy to baked goods. Key categories typically featured include:

• Processing Equipment & Machinery:
  • Mixing, Blending, and Forming equipment for meat, poultry, bakery, dairy, and confectionery.
  • Cutting, Slicing, and Dicing machinery for produce, proteins, and specialty items.
  • Cooking, Frying, Baking, and Thermal Processing systems (ovens, fryers, pasteurizers, sterilizers).
  • Cooling, Freezing, and Refrigeration solutions (spiral freezers, IQF tunnels).
  • Separation, Filtration, and Evaporation technologies.
  • Material Handling Systems (conveyors, pumps, pipework, hoppers, silos).
  • Sanitation and Cleaning-in-Place (CIP/COP) systems.
  • Size Reduction (grinders, emulsifiers, homogenizers).
• Packaging Machinery & Solutions:
  • Primary Packaging (filling, sealing, capping for bottles, pouches, trays, cans).
  • Secondary Packaging (cartoning, case packing, tray forming).
  • Tertiary Packaging (palletizing, stretch wrapping, strapping).
  • Labeling, Coding, and Marking systems (inkjet, laser, thermal transfer).
  • Inspection and Quality Control (metal detection, X-ray, vision systems, checkweighers).
  • Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) and Vacuum Packaging.
  • Sustainable Packaging Materials and Solutions.
• Food Ingredients & Additives:
  • Flavorings, Sweeteners, Spices, and Colorants.
  • Preservatives, Stabilizers, and Emulsifiers.
  • Functional Ingredients (proteins, fibers, vitamins, minerals).
  • Specialty Ingredients for specific dietary needs (e.g., plant-based, gluten-free, clean label).
• Food Safety & Quality Assurance:
  • Hygienic Design and Engineering solutions.
  • Testing and Analytical Equipment (microbiology, chemical analysis).
  • Traceability Systems and Software.
  • Sanitation Chemicals and Equipment.
  • Regulatory Compliance and Certification Services (e.g., HACCP, SQF).
• Automation, Controls & IIoT:
  • Robotics and Robotic Automation for various applications.
  • Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs).
  • Sensors, Vision Systems, and Data Acquisition.
  • Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms and predictive maintenance.
  • Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 solutions.
• Logistics & Supply Chain Management:
  • Warehouse Automation and Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS).
  • Cold Chain Logistics and Temperature Monitoring.
  • Forklifts, Pallet Jacks, and Material Handling Equipment.
• Industry Services & Resources:
  • Engineering, Design, and Construction services for food plants.
  • Consulting for operational efficiency, food safety, and business strategy.
  • Workforce Development and Training Programs.
  • Specialized Financing and Leasing options for equipment.
  • Trade Associations and Industry Publications.

This unparalleled depth and breadth of product and service categories ensure that decision-makers from every segment of the food and beverage industry will find comprehensive solutions to their most pressing challenges, enabling them to optimize processes, enhance product quality, and drive innovation.

The Gathering of the Food & Beverage Elite: Visitor Count and Demographics

PROCESS EXPO (now EATS) is a highly anticipated event within the food and beverage manufacturing sector, consistently attracting a substantial and high-quality audience of professionals. As a biennial show, it benefits from significant pent-up demand for new solutions and networking opportunities.

Past editions of PROCESS EXPO have consistently drawn thousands of attendees. For example, the 2023 edition (which was the last under the PROCESS EXPO brand before the rebrand to EATS) attracted over 3,850 attendees from more than 60 countries, featuring over 385 exhibitors. This robust turnout highlights its position as a vital platform for connecting solution providers with key decision-makers. The transition to EATS in 2025 is expected to maintain or even increase this level of engagement, reinforcing its status as a premier industry event.

The attendee profile at PROCESS EXPO (EATS) is exceptionally targeted and diverse, comprising individuals and groups actively seeking solutions and knowledge to enhance their food and beverage operations:

• Corporate Management: CEOs, Owners, Presidents, VPs, and General Managers who drive strategic decisions for their food and beverage companies.
• Plant Operations & Production: Plant managers, production supervisors, operations directors, and line operators focused on improving efficiency, throughput, and safety.
• Engineering & Technical Professionals: Process engineers, packaging engineers, automation engineers, and maintenance managers looking for innovative equipment and system integrations.
• Quality Assurance & Food Safety: Professionals responsible for implementing and maintaining food safety programs (e.g., HACCP, FSMA compliance), quality control, and testing.
• Research & Development (R&D): Scientists and product developers seeking new ingredients, processing techniques, and packaging designs to create innovative food and beverage products.
• Purchasing & Procurement: Buyers and sourcing specialists responsible for acquiring new machinery, materials, and services.
• Sales & Marketing: Professionals interested in understanding industry trends, new product development, and packaging innovations that can enhance marketability.
• Supply Chain & Logistics: Managers focused on optimizing the movement, storage, and distribution of raw materials and finished goods.
• Sanitation & Hygiene Experts: Individuals dedicated to ensuring clean and sterile production environments.
• Contract Manufacturers (Co-Packers): Seeking new technologies and partners to expand their service offerings.
• Academics & Researchers: From universities and research institutions, exploring the latest advancements and contributing to industry knowledge.

This concentration of serious buyers and influential professionals makes PROCESS EXPO (EATS) an incredibly efficient and productive environment for both exhibitors to connect with qualified leads and for attendees to find the precise solutions they need to excel in the competitive food and beverage market.

Cooking Up Success: Benefits and Perks of Attending

Attending PROCESS EXPO (EATS) in Chicago offers an unparalleled array of strategic advantages for anyone involved in the food and beverage manufacturing sector. It’s an essential experience that directly impacts efficiency, innovation, and profitability:

• Witness Live Production Lines: A unique highlight of PROCESS EXPO (EATS) is often the live production lines on the show floor. These working demonstrations showcase integrated systems for specific products (e.g., meat, bakery, pet food) from start to finish, providing invaluable insights into real-world applications and interdependencies of equipment.
• See Technology in Action: Experience cutting-edge processing and packaging machinery running live. This hands-on, sensory experience allows you to assess equipment performance, user-friendliness, and integration capabilities in a way that static brochures or online videos simply cannot convey.
• Direct Access to Thousands of Suppliers: Engage directly with technical experts, engineers, and sales teams from hundreds of leading global and domestic suppliers. This allows for detailed discussions about your specific production challenges, customized solutions, and opportunities for optimizing your existing lines.
• Comprehensive Educational Program (“Food for Thought”): Benefit from a robust schedule of free educational sessions, seminars, and interactive discussions led by top industry experts. Topics often cover:
  • Advanced Automation and Robotics
  • Food Safety & Traceability Best Practices
  • Sustainable Processing & Packaging
  • Workforce Development & Training
  • Emerging Technologies & Consumer Trends
  • Regulatory Compliance Updates (e.g., FSMA)
  • Panel discussions with industry leaders and successful plant operators.
• Discover Innovative Ingredients & Materials: Explore new ingredient formulations, functional additives, and sustainable packaging materials that can enhance your product’s taste, texture, shelf-life, and market appeal.
• Networking with Industry Peers: Connect with thousands of other food and beverage professionals from diverse sectors and roles. Share experiences, discuss challenges, and forge valuable relationships that can lead to future collaborations and problem-solving.
• Gain Competitive Insights: Observe what your competitors are implementing, learn about new solutions they might be exploring, and identify opportunities to differentiate your products or processes.
• Problem-Solving Powerhouse: Bring your most pressing operational or technical challenges to the show floor. The concentration of experts and solutions means you’re highly likely to find answers, innovative approaches, or the right partners to overcome obstacles.
• Career & Workforce Development: EATS often includes dedicated features for career development, including career fairs, mock interview sessions, and opportunities for young talent to connect with leading companies and industry mentors.

For any professional deeply involved in the food and beverage industry, PROCESS EXPO (EATS) is not just an event; it’s an indispensable strategic investment that offers unparalleled opportunities for learning, sourcing, and networking, directly impacting the bottom line and future innovation.

Your Chicago Comfort Zone: Nearby Hotels and Convenient Accommodation

McCormick Place in Chicago offers an excellent array of hotels directly connected to or within very close proximity, along with numerous options in the adjacent South Loop and downtown areas. Given the significant attendance at PROCESS EXPO (EATS), booking your accommodation well in advance is highly recommended to secure the best rates and locations.

The McCormick Place campus features several hotels directly connected via skybridges, offering unparalleled convenience:

• Hyatt Regency McCormick Place: Directly connected via a skybridge to the convention center, offering maximum convenience and a wide range of amenities.
• Marriott Marquis Chicago: Also connected via a skybridge, providing another excellent option for direct access to the expo halls.
• Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown South Loop: While not directly connected, it’s a popular choice just a short walk or quick shuttle ride away, offering good value and comfortable accommodations.

Numerous other hotels are available in the broader South Loop and downtown Chicago areas, easily accessible via short taxi/rideshare trips or Chicago’s efficient public transportation system. The ‘L’ train Green Line has a station (McCormick Place) that provides direct access to downtown and other parts of the city. For those flying into O’Hare International Airport (ORD) or Midway International Airport (MDW), both airports have direct public transit links or readily available taxi/rideshare services to the McCormick Place area. Utilizing the official PROCESS EXPO (EATS) website’s travel section for recommended hotels or official housing blocks is often the best way to secure competitive rates and ensure you’re within the event’s official network.

The Investment in Excellence: Understanding the Cost to Attend

Attending PROCESS EXPO (EATS) is a strategic investment in your company’s future and your professional growth, offering a high return on the time and resources spent. The registration fees are structured to provide value while covering the extensive organization and comprehensive offerings of this world-class event.

While specific pricing for EATS 2025 will be announced closer to the event, historically, PROCESS EXPO has offered free admission for qualified food and beverage processors and manufacturers who register online in advance. There may be a small fee for suppliers or other industry professionals, or for those who register on-site without prior online registration (e.g., $50 – $100 USD).

This typically includes:

• Full access to the expansive exhibition floor for all days of the show.
• Access to all free educational sessions and expert-led programs taking place on the show floor (e.g., the “Food for Thought” program, live production lines, demonstration stages).

It’s important to note that while general registration offers immense value, certain specialized workshops, co-located conferences, or exclusive networking events might have additional, separate fees. Any other costs would be related to personal travel, accommodation, and meals. Given the unparalleled access to cutting-edge technology, invaluable expertise, and extensive networking opportunities, the cost of attendance is a minor consideration compared to the transformative benefits derived for your food and beverage operations.

Your Journey to Food & Beverage Mastery Begins Here: Secure Your Spot at PROCESS EXPO!

PROCESS EXPO (now EATS) in Chicago, IL, USA, is the ultimate destination for anyone deeply involved in the food and beverage manufacturing industry. It’s where innovation takes center stage, where critical industry challenges are met with groundbreaking solutions, and where valuable connections are forged. Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to revolutionize your production line, a food safety expert seeking the latest compliance solutions, or an R&D specialist exploring new ingredients, attending this expo is a strategic move that will empower your decisions and drive your business forward. Don’t just keep pace with the industry; set the pace and be a part of shaping the future of food and beverage production!

To learn more about the upcoming EATS (formerly PROCESS EXPO) event and to register your attendance, visit: https://www.google.com/search?q=eats-expo.com