Messe Frankfurt Inc. (MFI) and the McLean, Va.-based Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) said they entered into a joint venture to align their resources to create and co-produce Process Expo, the nation’s largest horizontal trade show for the food and beverage processing and packaging industry. With FPSA’s strong industry relationships and MFI’s experience as an event producer servicing the food technology and processing markets, Process Expo will benefit from an expanded global reach and a tailored experience for visitors and exhibitors alike, the organizations said.

Earlier this year, MFI, with North American headquarters in Atlanta, began managing the next edition of Process Expo. Now, as part of a joint venture, FPSA’s longevity within the industry will be supplemented by the expertise of event management, marketing and sales provided by MFI, the organizations said.

"FPSA began our tradeshow journey more than 10 years ago with the primary goal being to host the largest and most valued food processing trade show in the Americas. We are extremely excited to strengthen our current relationship with Messe Frankfurt,” said Matt Malott, chairman of FPSA and president and CEO of Multivac Inc. “As a leader on a global scale, Messe Frankfurt’s far-reaching influence provides Process Expo with a heightened visibility and solidifies its importance in the marketplace.”

Messe Frankfurt currently organizes a food processing and technology portfolio comprised of five international trade shows in Argentina, Russia, Thailand and Germany. Promoting innovative and practical solutions for a growing global population, these top international shows attract some 1,400 exhibitors and over 93,000 visitors from around the world.

“We are excited to co-produce Process Expo alongside FPSA in the future, as our competencies complement each other perfectly. Our aim is to create a platform that is the first choice for business encounters within the food and beverage processing and packaging industry”, commented Konstantin von Vieregge, president and CEO, Messe Frankfurt Inc.

Process Expo is set to be the first major event for the food and beverage processing and packaging industry in 2021, the organizations said. The next edition will take place Oct.r 12-15, 2021 at McCormick Place, Lakeside Center in Chicago. For more information, visit www.myprocessexpo.com.