Trade show wrapup

IPPE 2015 Wrapup: Opportunity knocks; more is better

After the weather put a damper on expectations that the 2014 IPPE would attract one of the largest attendance levels for the event, surely the South would not experience a same week winter repeat in 2015 … and that proved to be true!

Favorable economic trends in the feed, meat and poultry segments combined with a larger than expected exhibitor list in number and size. Since Mother Nature did cooperate, the 2015 IPPE experienced record numbers and positive responses from all stakeholders.

The strong partnership of the three IPPE organizers was complimented further by the recent merger between the American Meat Institute and the North American Meat Association, which created the North American Meat Institute (NAMI). This merger brought more inclusion of the further processing and product development sectors of the industry.

Our attendees continue to express interests in a variety of species that provide safe, healthy protein sources to feed the world markets. NAMI’s presence also helped bring in attendees for which more than 25 percent shared additional interests in beef and pork products.

IPPE experienced greater than 20 percent growth in total number of attendees and broke the 30,000-attendee benchmark. More than 7,200 international visitors attended, with the largest contingency from the Latin American / Caribbean regions.

More visitors took advantage of the educational programs offered. More exhibitors presented their new technology and ideas on the floor and at the Tech XChange areas. More students participated in the College Student Career Program hoping to find employment in our exciting industries. More tonnage of equipment and supplies was assembled for display, covering almost one-half million net square feet of trade-show floor space within three halls of the Georgia World Congress Center.

These statistics will place the 2015 IPPE among the top 40 trade shows in the U.S. In the end, bringing together more quality suppliers with more of the industries’ decision makers to build, expand and improve efficiencies led to the success of 2015 IPPE.

As our organizations work together to build upon the need for greater opportunities in sharing ideas, knowledge and experience in providing a connection to the global animal protein industry, it is our goal to provide farm-to-table coverage of animal agriculture. Sustainability, welfare, food safety and all of the other important world consumer issues will remain a priority as we look forward to planning an even more successful 2016 IPPE.