How to Prepare to Exhibit at IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo 2025

If you’re in the food service industry or are involved in food technology in any regard, the annual meeting of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is the place to be every year. It’s the expo where food and science come together to feed the minds of those who feed the world, where the most creative minds in food science join to share the latest research and innovation in the field.

Finding the right meeting for your business is vital to getting the best return on investment for your appearance, and if you’re involved at all with the science of food, whether it’s industry, academia or government, this is the show to attend. Learn all about the IFT FIRST 2025 Annual Event and Expo, held on July 13-16, 2025 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, how it can advance your research and business, and the role it plays in the science of food technology.

What is the IFT?

The Institute of Food Technologists, or IFT, is an organization comprised of the best minds in food science, all dedicated to working together to provide safe, sustainable and nutritious food for the entire world. The organization was first founded in 1939, and has been advancing theoretical and applied food science all over the world ever since then.

Membership in the IFT is comprised of representatives and researchers from over 90 countries. All are dedicated to applying scientific research and knowledge into practical and innovative solutions to end world hunger.

The purpose of the IFT is to realize a vision of a world where innovation and science are widely accepted as the means to sustainable and safe food supply for the entire world. Their mission is to advance food science across the globe, and they are committed to four promises:

• Develop, promote and advance food science careers while educating IFT members worldwide.
• Establish interactive and productive global networks for the sharing of innovation and knowledge.
• To continue to promote this innovation, knowledge, and both technological and scientific advancement.
• To advocate for current issues in food science and to address these issues head on while working to positively influence outcomes.

The IFT is a community-oriented group who believe in the value of passion, progress, integrity and respect in all their operations.

IFT FIRST 2025: Dates and Location

IFT has rebranded their annual event as “IFT FIRST” (Food Improved by Research, Science and Technology). The IFT FIRST 2025 Annual Event and Expo will be held from Sunday, July 13th to Wednesday, July 16th, 2025 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. The IFT Food Expo itself will take place from Monday through Wednesday.

Who Attends IFT FIRST?

IFT FIRST attracts a diverse audience of professionals from across the global food system. Understanding this diverse audience helps exhibitors tailor their presentations and marketing materials for maximum impact. Attendees include:

• Industry Professionals: CEOs, CTOs, R&D professionals, product developers, and other key decision-makers from leading food companies.
• Buyers: Purchasing managers, distributors, and retailers seeking new products and solutions.
• Researchers: Scientists and academics exploring the latest advancements in food science and technology.
• Students: Aspiring food scientists and professionals seeking career opportunities.
• Passionate Changemakers: Individuals from around the world dedicated to shaping a better food future, including professionals from research labs, production lines, policy influencers, and those from test kitchens.

IFT FIRST also offers specialized content and networking opportunities for different functional expertise areas, allowing exhibitors to connect with professionals in their specific niche.

Key Deadlines for 2025

If you’re planning to exhibit at IFT FIRST 2025, mark these important deadlines on your calendar:

• Full Booth Payment: Thursday, January 30, 2025
• Exhibitor Housing Opens: Monday, March 3, 2025
• Exhibitor Registration Opens: Monday, March 3, 2025
• Exhibitor Service Kit Available: Monday, March 3, 2025
• Island Booth Layouts: Thursday, April 10, 2025
• Directory Listing Deadline: Friday, May 2, 2025

Benefits of Exhibiting at IFT FIRST

Exhibiting at IFT FIRST offers numerous benefits, including:

• Brand Exposure: Showcase your company and products to a large and influential audience of food professionals.
• Lead Generation: Connect with potential customers and generate valuable leads.
• Networking Opportunities: Build relationships with industry peers, potential partners, and key decision-makers.
• Product Launches: Introduce new products and innovations to the market.
• Market Research: Gain insights into the latest trends and consumer preferences in the food industry.
• Thought Leadership: Position your company as a leader in food science and technology.
• Address Critical Food Topics: IFT FIRST serves as a platform for addressing critical food topics like reducing salt, sugar, and fats, and the future of food additives.

Schedule Overview for IFT FIRST 2025

To help exhibitors plan their time effectively, here’s an overview of the IFT FIRST 2025 schedule:

• Sunday, July 13, 2025: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm – Attendee Registration
• Monday, July 14, 2025: 9:45 am – 10:00 am Expo Ribbon Cutting
• Monday – Wednesday, July 14-16, 2025: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Expo Open
• Tuesday, July 15, 2025: 6:30 am – Feeding Tomorrow Fun Run
• Wednesday, July 16, 2025: 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm – Awards Celebration Ceremony & Reception

Startup Pavilion and The Pitch! Competition

IFT FIRST 2025 features a Startup Pavilion, a dedicated space for up to 100 global food and food tech startups to showcase their innovations. This provides a unique opportunity for startups to gain exposure to potential investors and partners. This year, Startup Pavilion exhibitors will have the opportunity to make short presentations on the expo floor as part of the Startup Showcase.

The Pitch! competition, where startups compete for prizes totaling $15,000, also returns in a new format. Participants can upload a video submission to The Pitch! Portal. The grand prize winner will be featured on IFT’s podcast, Omnivore, and receive coverage in IFT’s Food Technology magazine.

Getting the Most Out of IFT FIRST – Pre-Planning

Naturally, if you’re considering attending the conference, you want to maximize your return on investment. It’s vital to make sure you approach the conference in the right way in order to maximize your investment. It all starts with the right planning. The IFT show is the show to visit if you’re involved in food science, but it’s important to understand what your role will be there. You don’t just want to set up a basic booth and appear. You need to engage and participate.

To that end, determine which events you can attend. Find out if you can participate as more than just an attendee. Can you get in on a roundtable discussion? Can you set up any events of your own? You need to actively engage potential contacts and clients while you’re there. Submit white papers. See if you can get a copy of the attendee list. Do this all in advance.

Building Relationships

Trade shows are all about engagement with clients and other industry pros. Make sure that you’re there to build relationships. It’s not about selling your goods and service — it’s about generating interest, and that’s an entirely different thing. The IFT conference offers opportunities to engage with hundreds of contacts across the industry.

You’re going to be busy engaging with tons of people in a very exciting and interactive environment. It’s all about seeing and being seen. Don’t try to close any deals; the conference isn’t the place. Do, however, work to generate leads.

IFT FIRST Fireside Chats and Business FIRST Program

IFT FIRST Fireside Chats are 20-minute intentional conversations discussing current trends and opportunities within the science of food community. These provide valuable insights and networking opportunities for exhibitors.

The Business FIRST program at IFT FIRST focuses on key business challenges and opportunities in the food industry. Topics include innovations in texture, future-proofing ingredient supply chains against climate change, and seizing career opportunities in an evolving workplace.

Make Your Booth an Experience

With over 1,000 other companies and researchers also showing their wares, you need to make your booth a true experience that draws people in, makes them want to stay and leaves them wanting more after the show is over. It requires the right lighting, the right presentation and the right traffic flow. It requires interactivity and engagement.

It also means giving away something of real value. Giveaways are great, but not if they just get tossed at the bottom of a bag and forgotten. Consider, for example, putting your latest materials, advancements and reports on a flash drive branded with your company logo — it’s useful in more ways than one, and it will keep you in the minds of those that take it away. Be creative, but make sure your giveaways are useful as well as engaging.

Pre- and Post-Show Marketing

Certainly, you’re going to do marketing before the show to let everyone know you’ll be there. Hit all your social media accounts, post it on your website, send it to your mailing list and post it on industry forums. The more you can get your name out, the better off you’ll be.

You also want to continually hit your social media channels during the show. This will remind people you’re there and engage them as they watch your live streams, while also encouraging them to visit your booth.

Post-show marketing, however, is equally important. Make sure that you maintain a mailing list at the show and get everyone who comes through your booth to sign up, then reach out and contact them after the show, and personalize your contacts. Post recap blogs and talk about your key takeaways from the show. Keep it — and you — in the public mind as long as you can.

The Best Trade Show Services

Not every business has the tools to create an outstanding trade show experience, and there’s nothing wrong with that. That’s where Xibit Solutions comes into the picture. We offer a complete trade show experience at a competitive price. We can help you with the logistics of the show, from booth design, installation and dismantling, to graphic design, transportation and even storage.

We’re here to help you with every aspect of your appearance, to take the stress off you and allow you to focus on making the show all it can be. For more information, or to get started taking your 2025 IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo experience to the next level, get in touch with us today.