Find where you belong: IPPE is the combination of three industry's trade shows: the International Feed Expo, International Meat Expo and International Poultry Expo, representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. Though some attendees might have business at each expo, most will specialize in one area, and if you’re reading this, it’s probably the feed industry. The feed production portion of the show is concentrated to one half of Exhibit Hall B, but that’s not a guarantee the company you are looking for will be there. Though most feed production exhibitors will be their, due to factors like equipment size, available space and serving multiple industries attendees may have to journey into the other half Hall B or even into Hall C in order to find the exhibitor they are looking for. There is an interactive map at the IPPE website where you can save the locations of exhibitors if you create an account.
Get ready to walk: Veteran trade show attendees know that you should never wear new shoes when walking the show floor. No matter the reason for attending IPPE, you are going to walk a lot. The Georgia World Congress Center is colossal, and attendees can easily find themselves walking to and from the two exhibit halls as well as on the trade show floor. Here are some tips that will help eliminate foot pain at the end of the day.
- Wear comfortable shoes - sometimes the simplest advice is the best advice
- Use the tram - A tram runs down the center of both B & C halls and will pick you up and drop you off at either end.
- Drink Fluids - There are vending machines and concession stands in both exhibit hall and throughout the World Congress Center
- Take breaks - get lunch, go to an education session or Tech-talk (more on this below), or chat with an exhibitor.
- Know your limits - IPPE runs for three days, so don’t push yourself so hard that your aching for the rest of the show. You can always come back tomorrow.
Get the most out of the experience: There’s more to IPPE then the trade show floor. It also has an abundant educational lineup and networking opportunities. On Tuesday the AFIA is putting on their annual Pet Food Conference from 7:30 am - 4:00 pm for an additional fee of $95. IPPE is also hosting a screening of the documentary Food Evolution from 8:30 to 10:00 am. If you only have a few minutes sit down at one of the TECHTalks running 10:30 am - 4:50 pm, these small bite-size information sessions cover a wide range of topics running for 20 to 40 minutes. If you think you have what it takes, the annual Hot Wing Eating Contest takes place at 2:30 pm at booth B8973.
