FT FIRST Annual Event & Expo, Chicago, 14-17 July 2024
Where is IFT FIRST?
McCormick Place, 2301 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago
When is it Running?
14-17 July 2024
Registration is now open: Click here to register
How do I Meet CPL?
Book an Appointment
Email IFTFIRST@cplconsult.com
Call +1 872 216 6963 (USA) or +44 1865 257 252 (UK)
The Theme for IFT FIRST 2024
This year’s theme is “Collaboration + Innovation: How Can Food Science and Technology Transform the Food System?”
Collaboration and innovation in novel processing techniques, sustainable food packaging, novel ingredients, genomic mapping or new health and nutrition breakthroughs are key to enhancing the food system’s safety, equity, and sustainability. How will innovations like AI, gene editing, precision fermentation, big data and other disruptive innovations affect the food we eat? The show will include a full program to discuss these important topics.
What is IFT FIRST?
The acronym IFT FIRST stands for ‘Institute of Food Technologists’ (IFT) and ‘Food Improved by Research, Science and Technology’ (FIRST). In 2024 the annual event and expo is the place to advance your knowledge, network, business and push the future of food forward and meet CPL Business Consultants.
The IFT FIRST Annual Event & Expo is organised by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). IFT is a forum for passionate food professionals to collaborate, learn, and contribute knowledge to innovative solutions for the benefit of everyone.
Experience the latest products, trends, and innovations. Be immersed in the industry’s most extensive collection of food ingredients, food safety & quality, technology, equipment, processing and packaging suppliers. Meet over 1,000 exhibiting companies at the forefront of the latest global food trends. See the products designed to address these trends.
CPL Business Consultants is a regular attendee at this important global expo and conference. IFT FIRST exhibitors have included ABF Ingredients, ADM, Bunge, Cargill, DSM, Givaudan, Glanbia Nutritionals, GNT, Ingredion, Jungbunzlauer and Tate & Lyle.
IFT FIRST includes presentations on the latest trends in food technology which include a series of Fireside Chats and a Business FIRST programme.
Expo Schedule
The event starts with a reception on July 13 and the main exhibition runs from July 15-17 opening at 10am. Registration is open from 9am to 5pm on July 14:
- Sunday, July 14, 2024
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm – Attendee Registration
- 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm – Awards Celebration Ceremony & Reception
- Monday, July 15, 2024
- 9:45 am – 10:00 am Expo Ribbon Cutting
- 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Expo Open
- Tuesday, July 16, 2024
- 6:30 am – Feeding Tomorrow Fun Run
- 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Expo Open
- Wednesday, July 17, 2024
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Expo Open
- 12:00 pm – Biopesticides Fireside Chat (see below)
IFT FIRST Fireside Chats
Fireside Chats are 20-minute intentional conversations discussing current trends and opportunities within the science of food community. Dr Robert Harwood, CPL Business Consultants Managing Director is a member of the IFT Trend Setting Workgroup involved in organising the Fireside Chats and will be moderating the final chat. This years topics include artificial intelligence, biopesticides, alternative proteins and precision fermentation. The topics discussed at IFT FIRST in 2024 will be:
Company Sponsored Fireside Chats
AI in Action: Building Competitive Superiority for Ingredient Companies – sponsored by Ai Palette
The Intersection of Regulations and Technology: Making Supply Chains Safer and More Transparent – sponsored by Trustwell
Replacing Fear with Facts: How to Communicate the Truth in the Era of Misinformation, an MSG Case Study – sponsored by Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition
Can Functional Foods Help You Overcome Biases Against Processed Foods? – sponsored by Edlong
The Precision Fermentation Revolution: What Benefits Can Precision Fermentation Bring to Food Technology?
Wellness Reimagined: Taste Tools, Sweet Proteins, and the Bold Future of Flavor and Sugar Reduction – sponsored by Sweegen
Economic Adulteration of Bromelain: A Discussion on Food Safety and Food Fraud Issues – sponsored by Enzyme Development Corporation
Advancing Food Safety and Product Innovation Begins with Digital Specs – sponsored by Specright
Equity and Diversity in Food Science – sponsored by Ingredion
Flavor & Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA): Advocating on Behalf of the Flavor Industry – sponsored by Edlong
Optimizing Shelf-Life Studies: Balancing Complexity with Universal Principle – sponsored by Certified Laboratories & FSNS, Certified Group Companies
How to Unleash the Power of Grape – sponsored by Prosur
Other Fireside Chats
Biologics: Current and Future Innovation for Regenerative Farming
Transforming Healthcare: The Power of Food as Medicine
Alternative Meat: Reflecting on the First 10 Years and Anticipating Many More
Intelligent Bites: Can AI Revolutionize Food?
Navigating the Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods on Health and Wellness
Public Funding for Food Research in the United States: Reviewing the Current State and Opportunities for Collaboration
How to be an Effective Peer Reviewer for Scholarly Journals
Change at the FDA: Impetus, Status, and Impact on the Food Industry
Tips for Writing Review Manuscripts from the Editors in Chief of Comprehensive Reviews and Journal of Food Science
Beyond Compliance: The Strategic Role of Traceability in Food Supply Chains
Cultivating Change: The Impact of Biopesticide Innovations on Global Agriculture – Pam Marrone (Invasive Species Corporation) and Robert Harwood (CPL Business Consultants)
Business FIRST
In 2024, the Business FIRST programme, presented by IFT’s magazine, Food Technology, includes the following presentations:
Harnessing Mushroom Nutrients for Longevity: Innovations in Food & Beverage – sponsored by Blue California
Innovations in Texture: Creating Sensory Experiences that Enhance Taste and Build Consumer Preference – sponsored by Ingredion
Future-Proofing Ingredient Supply Chains Against Climate Change
Harnessing Ashwagandha to Reduce Stress and Boost Cognitive Function in Functional Foods – sponsored by KSM-66 Ashwagandha
Nature’s Gift Unveiled: Polyphenols and Plant-Based Potency in Beverage Innovation – sponsored by Layn Natural Ingredients
How Ultrafine Bubbles Can Improve Product Quality and Operational Performance in Food, Beverage and Fermentation Applications – sponsored by Hydrosome Labs
Salt 101: How It’s Made, How It’s Analyzed & Why It Matters for Food Development – sponsored by Morton Salt
Seizing Career Opportunities in an Evolving Workplace
A Clean-Label Alternative to Sodium Aluminum Phosphate (SALP) for Today’s Bakeries – sponsored by Innophos
Harnessing AI and PLM for Next-Level Food and Beverage Innovation – sponsored by Infor
Reduce Sugar, Not Taste: A Comprehensive Approach to Sugar Reduction Challenges in Food and Beverages – sponsored by dsm-firmenich
Sustainable Sourcing, Supply Chain and the Employee Experience – sponsored by Ingredion
Revolutionizing Lipid Product Design with AI – sponsored by Alianza Team
Preparing for Generation Alpha
How Rising Food Prices Create Challenges – and Opportunities
Feeding Tomorrow Fun Run + Walk Fundraiser
The Feeding Tomorrow Fund 5K Fun Run + Walk event started in 2001 when a few runners at the Institute of Food Technologist’s annual meeting decided to exercise and raise money for students. This event is a great way to help food science students, be part of a community, and get some exercise. The money raised from the 5K run or 1-mile walk goes to the IFT’s Feeding Tomorrow Fund, which supports future food scientists and helps the field grow.
You can see CPL’s managing director finish last years run here! This is a ticketed event so be sure to buy your ticket via the IFT FIRST registration platform.
Book an Appointment at IFT FIRST
Book an appointment with CPL Business Consultants at the IFT FIRST Annual Event & Expo 2024 through our bookings page or email us on IFTFIRST@cplconsult.com. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!