American Meat Institute to co-locate with IPE/IFE in 2013

Attendees walk the floor at the 2012 IPE/IFE in Atlanta.

The American Meat Institute has signed an agreement with the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and the American Feed Industry Association to co-locate the American Meat Institute tradeshow with the International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo in Atlanta, held annually in January, starting in 2013.

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• American Meat Institute co-locates tradeshow with International Poultry Expo in 2013 

The three shows will operate under one umbrella creating one of the largest 50 shows in the U.S. It is expected that the entire show will include more than 1,000 exhibitors and close to 1 million square feet of exhibit space. The meat and poultry exhibits will be combined on one large show floor, and the IFE will be held in the adjacent hall. One badge will allow all attendees into any exhibit. “We are very excited about this partnership with the [American Meat Institute], and the co-location is something our exhibitors have asked about for a long time," said John Starkey, president of USPOULTRY. "The consolidation of the tradeshows will allow our respective organizations to build on the synergies of the poultry, feed and meat sectors, as well as provide a benefit to our exhibitors and members who produce or exhibit across multiple protein sectors." All three associations will continue to operate independently, serving their respective constituents and will offer targeted education and networking opportunities that meet customer needs and compliment the expo. The operations of the show will be handled out of the USPOULTRY offices, and the American Meat Institute and AFIA will be instrumental in driving attendance promotion and exhibit sales efforts. “This partnership will enhance the value of our tradeshows to exhibitors and attendees alike,” said American Meat Institute President J. Patrick Boyle. “Now we have one show that provides more education, networking and hands-on demonstration of equipment and supplies from farm through distribution. Our entire industry will benefit from the reduction in travel expenses, exhibit costs and see an undeniable increase in value.”

The 2012 IPE/IFE is being held through January 26 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The next show will be held January 28–31, 2013.

Watch a video of Starkey discussing USPOULTRY's new partnership with the American Meat Institute.