Process Expo 2024: Strategic Exhibitor Guide for Food & Beverage Brands

What Is Process Expo 2024? Key Facts Event Teams Need First

Fast Facts: Dates, Location, Format

McCormick Place's industrial-grade infrastructure supports the heavy processing equipment that defines this show. The venue's 40-foot ceiling heights, reinforced floors, and direct freight access make it ideal for live production line demonstrations that smaller venues can't accommodate. If you're planning a compact exhibit, a 10x10ft turnkey trade show booth rental offers a professional presence while fitting within space constraints.

Who Runs Process Expo 2024 and Why It Matters

The Food and Drug Packaging Machinery & Equipment Manufacturers Association (PMMI) organizes Process Expo 2024 in partnership with the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA). This dual-association backing creates a unique dynamic: PMMI brings packaging automation expertise while FPSA delivers deep processing know-how. The result attracts serious buyers with capital budgets, not casual browsers. Plant managers and operations directors attend because their peer associations endorse the content quality and vendor vetting. For larger demonstrations, consider a 20x20ft double deck turnkey trade show booth rental to maximize your show floor impact.

Industries & Product Categories on the Floor

Core sectors include meat & poultry, dairy, bakery, ready meals, beverage, pet food, ingredients, and packaging. Typical equipment categories span:

• Processing lines: mixing, cooking, chilling, forming, slicing, portioning
• Packaging systems: filling, sealing, labeling, case packing, inspection
• Controls & automation: PLCs, robotics, vision systems, data analytics platforms

The concentration of end-to-end workflow solutions in one hall lets you evaluate entire production sequences rather than isolated pieces of equipment. For more insights on related industry events, you might find this overview of the IPPE International Production and Processing Expo helpful.

Who Should Attend: Processors, OEMs, and Everyone in Between

Primary audiences include food & beverage processors (plant managers, operations, QA, R&D, engineering), OEMs and system integrators, plus brand owners, co-packers, and private-label producers. A regional beverage co-packer evaluating a new canning line can compare throughput rates, changeover times, and sanitary design features across five vendors in a single afternoon, something impossible through individual facility visits.

Strategic Reasons to Prioritize Process Expo 2024 in Your Event Calendar

Deep, End-to-End Food & Beverage Focus vs. General Packaging Shows

Process Expo 2024 brings the entire processing, packaging, and automation workflow together under one roof. Unlike broader packaging shows that serve multiple industries with generic solutions, this event focuses specifically on food-grade requirements: washdown capabilities, sanitary design standards, FDA compliance, and HACCP integration. This specialization matters when evaluating line integration decisions, comparing sanitary design approaches, or benchmarking changeover and throughput performance against food-specific requirements.

What You Can Tangibly Get Out of 2–3 Days on Site

Concrete outcomes from a focused Process Expo 2024 visit include comparing 3-5 equipment vendors in a single afternoon, capturing 40-80 qualified contacts per staffed day, seeing full lines running at realistic speeds, and collecting enough performance data to justify six- or seven-figure capital expenditure decisions faster. If your 2024 priorities include automation upgrades, capacity expansion, food safety compliance, or sustainability improvements, this show delivers concentrated access to solutions and expertise.

How Process Expo Fits Different Team Goals

Event marketing managers benefit from qualified MQL volume and technical content capture opportunities. Small manufacturer owners get hands-on demos and direct access to engineering experts for immediate problem-solving. Corporate marketing and operations leaders can benchmark vendors systematically and de-risk global equipment rollouts through side-by-side performance comparisons.

Key Themes, Technologies, and Trends to Watch at Process Expo 2024

Automation, Robotics, and Industry 4.0 on the Plant Floor

Expect extensive robotics demonstrations including case packing, palletizing, pick-and-place operations, and collaborative robots working alongside human operators. Data and controls focus on MES integration, SCADA systems, OEE dashboards, and predictive maintenance platforms. Key questions for vendors: What are typical cycle times? How long do changeovers take? What's the integration effort with existing plant systems?

Food Safety, Hygiene, and Regulatory Compliance

Sanitary design takes center stage with equipment featuring upgraded stainless steel grades, IP65+ ratings, and tool-less disassembly targeting under five-minute teardowns. Educational sessions cover FSMA updates, HACCP implementation, allergen control protocols, and traceability requirements. Use these sessions to build an internal compliance action list for your plants with specific timelines and responsibility assignments. For more on regulatory frameworks, see the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) from the FDA.

Sustainability and Efficiency: Doing More with Less

Energy- and water-saving equipment dominates floor space at Process Expo 2024, with heat recovery systems reducing energy consumption by 20-40% and low-water CIP systems cutting usage by up to 60%. Expect live demonstrations of steam condensate recovery units, variable-frequency drives for motor efficiency, and closed-loop water treatment systems that recycle process water multiple times before discharge. If you're seeking a flexible solution for your exhibit, modular displays can adapt to changing booth layouts and sustainability goals.

Material reduction innovations span packaging lightweighting, recyclable film technologies, and portion control systems that minimize product giveaway. Track three measurable metrics on the floor: kWh per production unit, waste reduction percentage, and changeover labor hours, these directly impact your bottom line and sustainability reporting.

Category-Specific Innovations (Meat, Dairy, Bakery, Beverage, Pet Food)

High-speed slicers for cooked meats now achieve 2,000+ slices per minute with consistent thickness tolerance, while continuous proofing lines for bakery operations reduce floor space by 30% compared to traditional rack systems. Aseptic beverage filling technology handles low-acid products at speeds exceeding 1,200 containers per minute, and twin-screw extruders for pet food deliver precise texture control across multiple protein sources.

Live line demonstrations prove especially valuable for bakery equipment, where dough handling, proofing timing, and oven loading sequences require visual assessment. Schedule 45-60 minutes for these demos to observe full production cycles and changeover procedures. For a look at other industry expos, check out this article on the Commercial UAV Expo 2024.

How to Plan Your Process Expo 2024 Visit for Maximum ROI

Timeline: From 90 Days Out to Show Open

Ninety days before Process Expo 2024, finalize specific goals like "shortlist three depositors under $500K" or "validate payback on automation project," then pre-register and book hotels within two miles of McCormick Place. At 45-60 days out, schedule vendor meetings targeting 6-8 appointments per day at 30-minute intervals, and submit applications for any plant tour opportunities offered by major exhibitors.

Two weeks before departure, lock your daily agenda using the show app, pre-load target exhibitors by hall location, and download session schedules. Build buffer time between appointments, Chicago traffic and exhibit hall distances require 15-20 minutes between meetings.

Building a Working Agenda, Not a Sightseeing Tour

Filter exhibitors by equipment category and budget range first, then color-code time blocks: blue for demos, green for education sessions, yellow for competitor intelligence, red for networking events. Cap yourself at 3-4 must-see technologies per day to allow adequate follow-up time and prevent decision fatigue.

Prioritize exhibitors offering live equipment demonstrations over static displays, seeing actual line speeds, changeover procedures, and sanitation protocols provides data you cannot gather from brochures or virtual meetings. If you need a larger footprint for your exhibit, 20x20ft trade show displays offer ample space for live demos and visitor engagement.

Travel, Lodging, and On-Site Logistics for Heavy-Equipment Shows

Book flights allowing at least 3-4 hours on opening day and a half-day on closing day, when many exhibitors offer deeper technical discussions and pricing negotiations. Choose hotels with walkable access or dedicated shuttle service to save 30-45 minutes daily, time better spent evaluating equipment than navigating Chicago traffic.

Wear closed-toe shoes suitable for plant floor environments, dress in layers for air-conditioned exhibit halls, and pack essential items: badge holder, phone charger, lead-capture tools, notebook, and basic PPE if planning equipment inspections requiring safety gear.

Exhibiting at Process Expo 2024: From Booth Selection to Show Floor Execution

Picking the Right Booth Size and Location

OEMs typically require 20×20 or larger spaces to accommodate machinery demonstrations, while solutions vendors succeed in 10×10 or 10×20 configurations focused on technology displays and customer meetings. Prioritize proximity to category pavilions and anchor exhibitors, ensuring adequate ceiling height for overhead signage and rigging points for suspended equipment. For smaller spaces, a 10x10ft trade show display can be an efficient and effective choice.

Verify freight access routes during space selection, machinery placement requires direct loading dock access and sufficient aisle width for forklifts and riggers. Plan at least 30-40% of total footprint as open visitor space, allowing safe traffic flow around operating equipment and comfortable demonstration viewing.

Booth Design That Sells Machines, Not Just Looks Good

Clear sightlines to moving equipment drive foot traffic at Process Expo 2024, avoid tall walls that block demonstrations from main aisles. Design wipeable surfaces and smart cable management for safety compliance, while ensuring benefit-forward messaging remains visible from 30-40 feet across crowded exhibit halls.

Turnkey rental exhibits from Iconic Displays handle heavy equipment requirements, overhead signage engineering, and on-site coordination, allowing your team to focus on customer demonstrations rather than logistics management during critical setup hours. For inspiration on booth design at other major events, see this recap of The National Retail Federation NRF Annual Convention & Expo.

Shipping, Installation, and I&D for Equipment-Centric Exhibits

Book domestic freight at least 3-4 weeks before advance warehouse deadlines, with detailed crate labeling including booth number, piece count, orientation markers, and machinery center of gravity specifications. Reserve target move-in windows and union labor early, machinery placement and leveling requires 4-8 hours before graphics installation begins.

Common mistakes include insufficient spare fittings, no drainage plan for water-based demonstrations, and missing power distribution maps. Create detailed floor plans showing electrical drops, compressed air connections, and safety barriers before arrival.

Staffing and Lead Capture: Running the Booth Like a Sales Engine

Staff one person per 50-75 square feet of active demonstration space, maintaining minimum two-person coverage at all times. Assign specific roles: greeter for traffic flow, demo lead for technical presentations, subject matter expert for complex questions, and note-taker for immediate follow-up capture.

Badge scanners with 3-5 custom qualifiers separate serious prospects from casual browsers. Implement "fast notes" technique, capture 30-60 seconds of conversation details immediately after each interaction, and schedule next steps on-site rather than promising vague follow-up calls.

Making the Most of Process Expo 2024 Education, Networking, and Media Opportunities

Educational Sessions, Panels, and Demos: What's Worth Your Time

Technology tracks, food safety updates, workforce development, and sustainability case studies dominate the education schedule. Select 1-2 sessions daily that directly support your 12-18 month capital expenditure and innovation roadmap, avoid generic presentations lacking actionable implementation steps.

Photograph slides where permitted and convert into internal recap decks within 72 hours post-show, while details remain fresh and actionable for your operations team.

Networking: Turning Hallway Chats into Pipeline

Target 5-10 relevant new contacts daily through receptions, association meetings, exhibitor events, and informal coffee conversations. Use LinkedIn QR codes for instant connections with brief context notes, then block 15 minutes each evening to log and tag contacts in your CRM system.

Focus networking efforts on plant managers, operations directors, and engineering leads, these decision-makers control equipment budgets and implementation timelines for the next 18-24 months.

PR, Content, and Social Media You Can Capture On Site

Record 30-60 second customer testimonial clips with permission, create "live from Process Expo" product walkthroughs, and document behind-the-scenes setup footage of production lines assembly. Clean booth designs with branded backdrops and proper lighting facilitate professional content creation without additional equipment. For enhanced visual impact, backlit displays can make your booth stand out in photos and videos.

Iconic Displays exhibits feature clean sightlines and integrated lighting systems that enhance video quality for social media content and customer presentations.

Measuring ROI from Process Expo 2024 and Reporting Back to Leadership

Defining Success Before You Step on the Show Floor

Set quantifiable targets: X qualified leads per day, Y scheduled demos within 30 days, Z new RFP opportunities opened. Distinguish volume metrics like badge scans and foot traffic from revenue metrics including pipeline value and closed-won deals that drive actual business growth.

Capital equipment sales cycles span 60-180 days, requiring leading indicators like demo requests, plant visit scheduling, and technical specification downloads to track momentum between Process Expo 2024 and revenue recognition. For additional food processing resources, visit the Food Processing Suppliers Association's EATS portal.

Simple Show ROI Formula and Realistic Benchmarks

Calculate ROI using: (Revenue Attributed - Total Show Cost) ÷ Total Show Cost. Include space rental, exhibit costs, shipping, installation, travel, sponsorships, and pre/post-show campaign expenses for accurate measurement. Expect 60-180 day attribution windows for equipment purchases, tracking leading indicators meanwhile.

Post-Show Follow-Up That Doesn't Fizzle

Immediately after the show, segment leads by priority and assign next steps within 48 hours. Use personalized follow-up emails referencing specific booth conversations, and schedule product demos or plant visits while interest is high. Track follow-up completion rates and pipeline progression to ensure your Process Expo 2024 investment translates into measurable business outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key energy and water-saving technologies being showcased at Process Expo 2024?

Process Expo 2024 highlights energy- and water-saving innovations such as heat recovery systems that can reduce energy use by 20-40%, low-water clean-in-place (CIP) systems cutting water consumption by up to 60%, and closed-loop water treatment systems that recycle process water multiple times. Live demos include steam condensate recovery units and variable-frequency drives designed to improve motor efficiency.

Who organizes Process Expo 2024 and what industries does the event primarily serve?

Process Expo 2024 is organized by the Food and Drug Packaging Machinery & Equipment Manufacturers Association (PMMI) in partnership with the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA). The event primarily serves the food and beverage processing industries, including meat and poultry, dairy, bakery, ready meals, beverage, pet food, ingredients, and packaging sectors.

What types of equipment and product categories can attendees expect to see on the show floor?

Attendees can expect to see heavy processing equipment suited for large-scale production lines, including machinery for meat and poultry, dairy, bakery, ready meals, beverages, pet food, ingredients, and packaging. The show floor features live demonstrations supported by McCormick Place’s industrial-grade infrastructure, accommodating equipment that requires high ceilings and reinforced floors.

How can exhibitors maximize their impact and ROI when participating in Process Expo 2024?

Exhibitors can maximize impact and ROI by focusing on energy-efficient and sustainable innovations, incorporating interactive live demonstrations, and leveraging educational and networking opportunities. Selecting the right booth size, from compact 10x10 turnkey rentals to larger 20x20 double-deck setups, helps tailor presence to goals, while planning logistics around McCormick Place’s heavy-equipment capabilities reduces stress and supports flawless execution.