Beyond the Plate: Your Ultimate Guide to EATS (formerly ProFood Tech & Process Expo) – Engineering the Future of Food!
Have you ever stopped to consider the intricate journey your food takes from farm to fork? It’s a complex dance of precision engineering, advanced automation, rigorous safety protocols, and constant innovation. From the moment raw ingredients arrive at a facility to the final package landing on a supermarket shelf, a fascinating world of technology is at play, ensuring consistency, quality, and an ever-evolving array of delicious and safe products.
This unseen world of food and beverage processing is where efficiency meets artistry, where science transforms raw materials, and where the industry’s most brilliant minds converge. For anyone deeply involved in bringing food to our tables – whether you’re a manufacturer, an engineer, a quality control expert, a packaging professional, or an innovator seeking the next technological leap – understanding this intricate landscape is paramount.
While “ProFood Tech” was a notable player in this space, it has evolved and merged into a much larger, more encompassing event: EATS: The Equipment, Automation and Technology Show for the Food & Beverage (formerly Process Expo). This is the definitive North American showcase for the entire food and beverage processing and packaging industry, a place where groundbreaking machinery, smart automation, and revolutionary solutions are unveiled. Prepare to go behind the scenes and discover how the future of food is quite literally engineered!
Engineering Excellence: Spotlight on EATS (The Equipment, Automation and Technology Show for the Food & Beverage)
EATS, as the revitalized and expanded evolution of Process Expo (which itself incorporated ProFood Tech), stands as the nation’s largest trade exhibition dedicated to bringing the latest technologies and integrated solutions to all segments of the food and beverage processing and packaging industry. It’s where the machinery that makes our food, and the systems that ensure its quality and safety, are showcased.
- Venue: The iconic McCormick Place, 2301 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60616, USA. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, McCormick Place is North America’s largest convention center, providing an immense and state-of-the-art environment. Its extensive exhibition halls and versatile meeting spaces make it the ideal host for an event of this scale and technical depth. Chicago’s central location also makes it highly accessible for national and international attendees.
- Time: Held biennially in the fall. The 2025 EATS is scheduled for October 28-30, 2025. The event spans three intense days, packed with live demonstrations, educational sessions, and extensive networking opportunities, allowing ample time to explore the vast exhibit floor and engage with experts.
- Cost:
- Attendees: Registration fees for trade professionals are typically tiered, with early bird discounts offering significant savings. A basic “Exhibit Hall Only” pass, providing access to the expansive show floor and live demonstrations, usually ranges from $50 – $150 USD, depending on how far in advance you register. For those seeking deeper technical knowledge and industry insights, “Conference Passes” or “All-Access Passes” are available at a higher price point, typically ranging from $300 – $700+ USD. These passes grant access to a comprehensive program of seminars, workshops, and expert-led discussions. EATS is a trade-only event, meaning attendees must demonstrate a professional affiliation with the food, beverage, or related processing industries.
- Exhibitors: Booth space costs vary significantly based on size, location within the convention center, and the level of booth construction desired. A standard 10’x10′ booth often ranges from approximately $3,500 – $7,000+ USD for raw space. Exhibitors often incur additional costs for booth design, build-out, furniture rental, electricity, material handling, and marketing. Companies showcasing large machinery often require much larger and custom-built spaces, leading to higher investments.
- Product Categories: EATS is a comprehensive showcase covering the entire spectrum of processing and packaging solutions for the food and beverage industry. Key product categories include:
- Processing Equipment: Machinery for mixing, blending, cutting, cooking, cooling, freezing, drying, forming, filling, and more for all food segments (meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, bakery, confectionery, fruits, vegetables, beverages, pet food, alternative proteins).
- Packaging Solutions: Packaging machinery (form-fill-seal, labeling, coding, case packing, palletizing), packaging materials (flexible, rigid, sustainable options), and automation for packaging lines.
- Automation & Robotics: Advanced robotics, automated inspection systems, AI-powered solutions, IoT devices, and smart factory technologies for increased efficiency and reduced labor.
- Food Safety & Quality Control: Inspection systems (X-ray, metal detection, vision systems), laboratory equipment, sanitation solutions, and traceability technologies.
- Ingredients & Formulation: While primarily a processing show, often new ingredients are showcased as they relate to processing innovation or specific equipment needs.
- Material Handling & Logistics: Conveying systems, forklifts, storage solutions, and supply chain optimization technologies.
- Utilities & Environmental Systems: Refrigeration, ventilation, wastewater treatment, and energy efficiency solutions.
- Facility Design & Construction: Services for building and optimizing food processing plants.
- Software & Data Management: ERP systems, production management software, and data analytics tools for operational insights.
- Services: Consulting, engineering, training, maintenance, and technical support for food and beverage operations.
- Visitor Count: EATS (and its predecessor Process Expo) attracts a highly targeted and influential audience of tens of thousands of industry professionals. Past editions have seen over 8,000-10,000+ attendees primarily comprising:
- Food & Beverage Manufacturers (CEOs, Owners, Plant Managers, Engineers, R&D, Operations, Production Managers)
- Packaging Professionals
- Quality Assurance & Food Safety Specialists
- Maintenance & Sanitation Teams
- Product Development Specialists
- Consultants & System Integrators
- Distributors & Sales Professionals
- Investors interested in food tech innovation A significant percentage of attendees (often cited as 70% or more) attend with buying power and purchasing intent, making it a critical event for business development.
- Exhibitor Count: The show features hundreds of leading equipment manufacturers and solution providers (typically over 400-500+ exhibiting companies), offering a comprehensive view of the latest machinery and technologies available.
- Nearby Hotels (Chicago – McCormick Place Area): Chicago, particularly around McCormick Place, offers a wide array of hotel options, from direct convention center access to downtown choices just a short ride away.
- Hyatt Regency McCormick Place: Directly connected to the convention center, offering unparalleled convenience.
- Marriott Marquis Chicago: Also directly adjacent to McCormick Place, a popular choice for attendees.
- Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place & Home2 Suites by Hilton Chicago McCormick Place: Convenient options located very close by.
- The Blackstone Autograph Collection & Hilton Chicago: Excellent options in downtown Chicago (a short taxi or ride-share away), offering a broader city experience.
- Chicago South Loop Hotel & Jaslin Hotel: Good options closer to the convention center but slightly more affordable than the directly connected hotels. Given the scale of events at McCormick Place, booking hotel accommodations well in advance (3-6 months out) is highly recommended, especially for preferred rates and locations.
Powering Progress: The Unbeatable Benefits and Perks of Attending EATS
Attending EATS (formerly ProFood Tech & Process Expo) is an indispensable experience for anyone serious about the operational excellence and future of food and beverage production:
- See Technology in Action: Witness live demonstrations of cutting-edge processing and packaging machinery on the show floor. This hands-on experience allows you to evaluate equipment, understand its capabilities, and see how it can integrate into your operations.
- Comprehensive Solution Sourcing: Discover thousands of solutions for every step of the production line, across all food segments. From ingredient handling and preparation to cooking, chilling, packaging, and logistics, you’ll find suppliers ready to address your specific needs.
- Problem-Solving & Efficiency Gains: Connect directly with engineers and technical experts from leading manufacturers. Discuss your operational challenges and explore innovative technologies that can improve efficiency, reduce waste, enhance food safety, and boost productivity.
- Stay Ahead of the Curve: Gain critical insights into emerging technologies like AI, robotics, sustainable manufacturing, and advanced food safety protocols. The educational program provides a vital glimpse into the future of the industry.
- Strategic Networking: Connect with a highly focused community of peers, potential partners, suppliers, and industry leaders. Forge valuable relationships that can lead to collaborations, new business opportunities, and knowledge sharing.
- Targeted Education: Benefit from a robust conference program featuring expert-led sessions on topics such as automation trends, food safety regulations, supply chain optimization, sustainability initiatives, and workforce development in processing.
- Competitive Advantage: Understand what your competitors are doing, identify market gaps, and discover the latest innovations that can give your company a significant edge in the marketplace.
- Cost Savings & ROI: Many attendees find solutions at EATS that lead to significant cost reductions, improved product quality, and increased throughput, offering a strong return on investment for their attendance.
- Industry Insight: Immerse yourself in the discussions and trends that are shaping the food and beverage manufacturing landscape, empowering you to make informed strategic decisions for your business.
EATS is more than just a trade show; it’s the nerve center for innovation in food and beverage processing. It’s where the machines that feed the world are designed, refined, and brought to market, ensuring that our food system is safer, more efficient, and endlessly innovative.
Build Tomorrow’s Food Today: Plan Your Visit!
If your business relies on the precision, efficiency, and safety of food and beverage processing and packaging, then attending EATS is an absolute necessity. This is your unparalleled opportunity to explore the latest technologies, connect with industry pioneers, and equip your operations for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Don’t miss your chance to be at the forefront of the food tech revolution.
To access detailed information on specific dates, registration, exhibitor lists, educational programs, and to plan your attendance for the upcoming EATS (The Equipment, Automation and Technology Show for the Food & Beverage) event, please visit the official website: