EATS - The Equipment, Automation and Technology Show for Food & Beverage
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About this event
EATS - The Equipment, Automation and Technology Show for Food & Beverage
EATS - The Equipment, Automation and Technology Show for Food & Beverage is a large-scale industry event built to connect the full food and beverage production ecosystem with the equipment, automation, and technology that help plants operate faster, safer, and smarter. Returning in 2027 after its prior “Process Expo” branding, EATS positions itself as North America’s only show representing the entire Food & Beverage production industry.
Event details
- Event name: EATS - The Equipment, Automation and Technology Show for Food & Beverage
- Dates: October 26 - 28, 2027
- City: Chicago, IL
- Country: USA
- Venue:
What the show is about
EATS brings together the people and organizations that run and improve production lines, including processors, plant managers, engineers, and innovators. Over three days, attendees get hands-on exposure to technologies shaping modern manufacturing—ranging from equipment and process solutions to automation, digitalization, and quality control.
Key show experiences
EATS is designed around live demonstrations, practical learning, and direct supplier interaction. Instead of focusing only on static displays, the show emphasizes technology in action—so visitors can see how solutions perform in real production-oriented contexts and take ideas back to their own plants.
Live production lines and automation demos
Attendees can watch live production lines and explore hands-on automation demos. The event showcases equipment and systems across core manufacturing stages, including: mixing and forming, packaging, and quality control. This practical approach helps visitors evaluate how equipment and automation integrate into real workflows.
Exhibit floor focused on equipment, tools, and solutions
The exhibit floor is positioned as the place where food, beverage, and automation converge. Visitors can connect directly with leading suppliers and explore tools, equipment, and end-to-end solutions supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
Expert-led education, sessions, and trend talks
In addition to demos, EATS includes education opportunities such as expert-led sessions and trend talks. The goal is to help attendees understand what is driving change in manufacturing and how technology can be applied to improve operational performance.
Innovation-centered formats
The show experience includes dedicated programming areas intended to strengthen knowledge-sharing and engagement. Examples referenced on the site include:
- EATS Kitchen
- Innovation Showcase
- Student Research Poster Program
- Women’s Breakfast
- Sector Stages
- Food for Thought
- Live! Demonstrations
Industries and audience focus
EATS is explicitly tailored to the food and beverage production industry, covering the technologies used across the manufacturing journey. The event messaging emphasizes production efficiency, safety, and innovation, bringing together leaders who influence technology adoption, operational decisions, and plant modernization plans.
Why attend
Attendees come to EATS for a reason: it is built to support practical, technology-driven decision-making. Visitors can see equipment in action, learn from industry experts, and connect directly with suppliers working on equipment and automation solutions relevant to food and beverage manufacturing environments.
Primary theme
“The Taste of Innovation Continues”—EATS returns in 2027 with a strong focus on discovery, technology, and connection for three unforgettable days in Chicago.
Data sheet
| Event Name | EATS - The Equipment, Automation and Technology Show for Food & Beverage |
|---|---|
| Event Date | October 26–28, 2027 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | Not publicly confirmed in the official homepage text reviewed |
| City | Chicago |
| State / Region | Illinois (IL) |
| Country | United States |
| Organizer | Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH, in partnership with FPSA |
| Official Event Website | theeatsshow.us.messefrankfurt.com/us/en.html |
| Event Type | Trade show / exhibition / education and networking event |
| Primary Category | Food & Beverages |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Packing & Packaging; Industrial Engineering; Logistics & Transportation; IT & Technology |
| Audience Reach | National with meaningful North American industry reach |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Medium. Official event positioning and program details are confirmed; public attendance numbers were not confirmed in the reviewed official homepage text. |
| Main Purpose of Event | To connect food and beverage processors with equipment suppliers, automation providers, packaging vendors, and technical solution providers through exhibits, live demonstrations, and education. |
EATS is a focused North American trade show for the food and beverage production sector, formerly known as Process Expo. The official show messaging positions it as a central marketplace for equipment, automation, digitalization, packaging, quality control, and plant operations solutions. The event combines an exhibit floor with live production lines, technical education, and networking, making it highly relevant to manufacturers seeking operational improvement and capital investment opportunities.
The event matters because it attracts decision-makers involved in processing, plant modernization, throughput improvement, food safety, and packaging efficiency. It is especially relevant for suppliers selling production equipment, automation systems, software, controls, ingredients handling, sanitation, inspection, and plant services. For B2B lead generation, EATS is strong for attendee profiling, buyer list development, and account-based targeting across food and beverage manufacturing organizations.
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food and beverage processors | Branded manufacturers, co-packers, ingredient processors, private label producers | Primary buyers for equipment, automation, and plant solutions | Highest-value audience for machinery, controls, line integration, and process optimization vendors |
| Procurement and sourcing teams | Manufacturers, co-packers, foodservice suppliers, ingredient companies | Supplier evaluation, RFQ coordination, contract negotiation | Important for vendors with repeatable capital, maintenance, and consumable offerings |
| Plant managers and operations leaders | Food manufacturing plants, beverage bottlers, co-packers | Influence production performance, uptime, labor efficiency, and CAPEX decisions | Strong fit for automation, reliability, maintenance, and productivity suppliers |
| Engineering and process improvement teams | Food and beverage manufacturers, EPC firms, plant design consultancies | Specify equipment, manage line upgrades, optimize process flow | Key audience for technical solutions, line redesign, integration, and inspection systems |
| Maintenance and reliability teams | Manufacturing plants, bottlers, packaging operations | Influence service contracts, spare parts, retrofit purchases, downtime reduction | Relevant for OEMs, predictive maintenance, sensors, and field service providers |
| Quality assurance and food safety leaders | Food processing, beverage, packaging, sanitation, inspection-focused firms | Specify compliance-related technologies and inspection systems | Important for testing, sanitation, traceability, and detection technology vendors |
| Packaging and materials buyers | Packaged food companies, beverage brands, co-packers | Select packaging formats, line compatibility, sustainability standards | Strong audience for packaging machinery, materials, labeling, and end-of-line solutions |
| Executives and general managers | Mid-market to large food and beverage manufacturers | CAPEX approval, strategic direction, plant expansion | High-value contacts for enterprise solutions and plant modernization projects |
| Distributors and integrators | Industrial distributors, line integrators, automation resellers | Channel buying, product representation, system integration | Useful for supplier partnerships and route-to-market expansion |
| Industry consultants and association leaders | Food manufacturing consultants, technical advisors, trade associations | Influence vendor selection, education, and market awareness | Good for thought leadership, referral generation, and credibility building |
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host city: Chicago | High local and regional attendance | High | Major transportation and convention hub with access to Midwest manufacturing and distribution networks |
| Illinois and the Midwest | Processors, packaging operations, machinery users, distributors | High | Strong concentration of food manufacturing, logistics, and industrial buyers |
| Nearby business hubs | Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Detroit, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Columbus | Medium to High | Accessible drive/flight market for regional buyers |
| National reach | Food and beverage manufacturers across the United States | High | Official positioning indicates a broad North American production-industry audience |
| International reach | Canada, Mexico, and select international suppliers and processors | Medium | Relevant for cross-border sourcing, automation, and equipment trade |
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| National | Primary classification | The show is positioned as North America’s only event representing the entire food and beverage production industry, with broad U.S. draw and supplier participation. |
| Secondary reach: North American | Strong | The Chicago location and industry scope support attendance from Canada and Mexico, plus cross-border vendors and channel partners. |
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kraft Heinz | Food manufacturer | Large-scale packaged food production with strong automation, packaging, and process engineering needs | kraftheinzcompany.com | Director of Procurement, Plant Manager, Packaging Engineer | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Nestlé USA | Food manufacturer | Broad food production footprint and recurring needs for plant efficiency, QA, and packaging systems | nestleusa.com | VP Operations, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Engineering Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| General Mills | Food manufacturer | National packaged foods producer with plant modernization and automation buying potential | generalmills.com | Procurement Director, Operations Director, Reliability Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Mondelez International | Food manufacturer | High-volume production and packaging environment aligned to EATS suppliers | mondelēzinternational.com | Category Manager, Plant Manager, Process Engineer | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| PepsiCo | Beverage and snack manufacturer | Large processing and packaging operations; strong fit for automation and line efficiency vendors | pepsico.com | VP Manufacturing, Procurement Manager, Packaging Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Tyson Foods | Protein processor | Complex processing, sanitation, inspection, and plant operations requirements | tysonfoods.com | Director of Engineering, Plant Operations Director, Supply Chain Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| The Hershey Company | Confectionery manufacturer | High-value user of packaging, process, inspection, and automation technologies | thehersheycompany.com | Procurement Lead, Production Manager, Continuous Improvement Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Conagra Brands | Food manufacturer | Broad processed food portfolio with recurring capital equipment and packaging needs | conagrabrands.com | Director of Sourcing, Operations Manager, Manufacturing Engineer | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| MillerCoors / Molson Coors | Beverage manufacturer | Beverage processing and packaging operations align to EATS automation and equipment themes | molsoncoors.com | Operations Director, Packaging Manager, Procurement Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) | Ingredient processor | Large industrial food processing footprint with equipment, controls, and plant optimization needs | adm.com | Plant Manager, Procurement Manager, Process Improvement Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| JBS USA | Protein processor | Process-heavy operations with clear need for productivity, sanitation, and automation solutions | jbsfoodsgroup.com | Operations Director, Procurement Lead, Maintenance Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief Procurement Officer | Procurement | C-level | Owns sourcing strategy, vendor selection, and strategic supplier relationships. |
| 2 | VP Procurement / VP Supply Chain | Procurement / Supply Chain | VP | Approves key supplier relationships and capital purchase frameworks. |
| 3 | Director of Procurement / Sourcing | Procurement | Director | Directly manages supplier evaluation, RFQs, and cost optimization. |
| 4 | Plant Manager | Operations | Director / Manager | Responsible for plant performance, throughput, and operational investment decisions. |
| 5 | Director of Engineering | Engineering | Director | Influences line design, equipment selection, and plant upgrades. |
| 6 | Strategic Sourcing Manager | Procurement | Manager | Evaluates suppliers for equipment, MRO, packaging, and services. |
| 7 | Operations Director | Operations | Director | Responsible for performance, process improvement, and technology adoption. |
| 8 | Packaging Manager / Director | Packaging | Manager / Director | Key stakeholder for packaging line equipment, materials, and automation. |
| 9 | Quality Assurance Director | Quality / Food Safety | Director | Influences inspection, traceability, sanitation, and compliance solutions. |
| 10 | Maintenance Manager / Reliability Manager | Maintenance | Manager | Critical for downtime reduction, spare parts, service, and retrofit decisions. |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Food & Beverages | Core industry for processors, brands, co-packers, and ingredient firms | Target plant decision-makers and procurement buyers |
| 2 | Machinery | Strong relevance for production and processing equipment suppliers | Equipment OEMs and capital machinery buyers |
| 3 | Food Production | Direct match for processing plants and technical buyers | Process line upgrades and plant modernization |
| 4 | Packaging & Containers | Packaging is a major show theme and purchase driver | Packaging line equipment and materials |
| 5 | Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Engineering teams influence line design and equipment selection | Technical specification and integration sales |
| 6 | Industrial Automation | Automation demos and digitalization are central to the event | Controls, robotics, and line automation |
| 7 | Logistics & Supply Chain | Distribution, warehousing, and plant flow are related to production efficiency | Material handling and plant logistics tools |
| 8 | Consumer Goods | Many packaged food and beverage buyers fit this industry | Brand owners and private-label manufacturers |
| 9 | Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing | Relevant for controls, sensors, and production electronics | Instrumentation and automation components |
| 10 | Information Technology & Services | Digital manufacturing, MES, analytics, and plant software are relevant | Software, data, and industrial digitalization |
| 11 | Import & Export | Many attendees source equipment or ingredients across borders | Cross-border sourcing and distribution |
| 12 | Wholesale | Important for distributor and channel partner audiences | Channel sales and reseller development |
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | Not publicly confirmed by the organizer | Confirmed unavailable | Official homepage text reviewed | No reliable current-year attendance figure was published in the reviewed content |
| Exhibitor count | Not publicly confirmed in reviewed text | Confirmed unavailable | Official homepage text reviewed | Exhibitor search referenced for 2025, but no current-year count was provided |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed by the organizer | Confirmed unavailable | Official homepage text reviewed | Useful for lead generation, but exact buyer count should not be assumed |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed in reviewed text | Confirmed unavailable | Official homepage text reviewed | Education schedule referenced for 2025, but no confirmed current-year count was provided |
| Historical attendance | Prior-year participation evidence exists, but no numeric attendance was verified in the provided source text | Historical / prior-year evidence | Official homepage references EATS 2025 content | Use only as directional evidence, not as a confirmed attendance benchmark |
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Procurement | Competitive sourcing, vendor comparison, price/value evaluation | RFQ meetings, line-card introductions, cost-saving discussions | Equipment, services, consumables, and maintenance contracts |
| Automation | Improve throughput, reduce labor dependence, raise consistency | Live demos and technical walkthroughs | Controls, robotics, PLCs, sensors, and integration |
| Packaging | Format flexibility, shelf-life, line speed, sustainability | Packaging equipment and material discussions | Packers, sealers, labeling, conveyors, films, trays |
| Quality and food safety | Reduce contamination, improve compliance, detect defects | Inspection and sanitation solution demos | Inspection systems, hygiene equipment, traceability tools |
| Digitalization | Data visibility, production analytics, plant control | Software demos and ROI discussions | MES, SCADA, analytics, reporting, predictive maintenance |
| Workforce efficiency | Address labor shortages and operator productivity | Education sessions and solution positioning | Automation, ergonomics, training, and support services |
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | The event directly serves food and beverage production buyers with capital and operating needs. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Plant, operations, engineering, procurement, and quality leaders are core attendees. |
| Data collection potential | High | Strong for attendee profiling, account mapping, and buyer persona segmentation. |
| Apollo targeting potential | Very High | Clear industry, department, and title targeting supports effective account-based campaigns. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Strong Midwest and national reach enables region-based prospecting. |
| Best outreach approach | Very High | Pre-show outreach to known processors plus booth-driven lead capture and post-show follow-up. |
| Overall lead quality | High | Excellent for suppliers selling into food and beverage manufacturing environments. |
| Best use case | B2B attendee list building, ABM prospecting, exhibitor targeting, buyer profiling | Well-suited for lead generation agencies and solution providers targeting manufacturing buyers. |
| Limitations / risks | Medium | Public attendance figures and current-year attendee lists are not confirmed in the reviewed official homepage text. |
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Food & Beverages, Food Production, Machinery, Packaging & Containers, Industrial Automation, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, Logistics & Supply Chain, Consumer Goods | Capture core buyer universe and adjacent technical decision-makers |
| Departments | Procurement, Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Production, Facilities, IT | Target functional buyers and implementers |
| Seniority | Manager, Director, VP, C-level | Prioritize budget holders and influencers |
| Job titles | Procurement Manager, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Plant Manager, Operations Director, Engineering Director, Packaging Manager, Quality Assurance Director, Maintenance Manager, Supply Chain Director, VP Manufacturing | Align with event buyer personas |
| Geography | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa | Concentrate on regional and national attendance markets |
| Employee size | 51–200, 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,001–5,000, 5,001+ | Cover both mid-market processors and enterprise manufacturers |
| Keywords | food processing, beverage, packaging, automation, plant manager, production, sanitation, inspection, line equipment, process engineering | Identify high-intent and role-aligned contacts |
| Company type | Private and public manufacturers, co-packers, distributors, integrators | Prioritize organizations with active plant operations and buying authority |
| Technologies | MES, SCADA, ERP, industrial controls, packaging machinery, sensors, inspection systems | Target technology-adoption and modernization opportunities |
| Revenue range | Mid-market to enterprise revenue bands where available | Focus on companies with capital spending capacity |
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| EATS Official Website | Official organizer website | Event name, event positioning, date window, city, organizer, show purpose, attendee themes, education and exhibit format | Very High |
| Messe Frankfurt | Organizer website | Organizer identity and corporate event ownership context | High |
| FPSA | Industry association / event partner | Association partnership context and food-processing market relevance | High |
| EATS Homepage Sections | Official event page content | Industry sectors, production lines, education, live demonstrations, innovation showcase, attendee-oriented messaging | Very High |
🎯 Selling to this event's audience? Get a free tailored buyer list
Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to EATS - The Equipment, Automation and Technology Show for Food & Beverage — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.