CHICAGO — The new Food Production Solutions Show (FPSS) started with a simple observation by the leadership of the Food Production Solutions Association (FPSA): North American food manufacturers rarely face just one challenge at a time.
They are under constant pressure to improve efficiency. Labor is difficult to find. Regulatory requirements are evolving. Consumers demand quality, transparency and consistency.
To address these challenges, they are working with Messe Frankfurt to design a show focused on addressing these challenges. FPSS — to be held Oct. 26-28, 2027, at McCormick Place — will bring together food manufacturers, processors, co-packers, ingredient suppliers, food scientists, engineers, compliance professionals, technology providers, automation specialists, packaging companies, logistics partners, consultants, investors and industry organizations.
“The food manufacturing industry depends on collaboration across a wide range of disciplines,” Chris Lyons, CEO of the FPSA, said. “We want attendees to bring the challenges and constraints that are keeping them from growing and scaling to the FPSS, and to leave with a clearer path to their own success and their place in America’s food production industry.”
This multipronged approach makes sense across many industries, Trend Hunter noted: “More trade events may adopt business-journey-focused formats that prioritize actionable solutions and collaboration over conventional category-based exhibition models.”
The Journey
The FPSS show floor will be organized into four “Solution Zones” to mirror the stages of a food manufacturer’s growth journey.
- Product Development & Planning will support concept development, formulation, ingredient sourcing, market validation, innovation, pilot production and commercialization.
- Regulatory & Compliance will provide solutions for food safety, quality assurance, certifications, labeling, traceability, testing and regulatory requirements.
- Production & Facilities will connect manufacturers with processing equipment, engineering services, facility design, co-manufacturing partners, infrastructure solutions and operational technologies.
- Operations & Scaling will focus on solutions for automation, packaging, workforce development, inventory management, manufacturing software, logistics, distribution and business growth.
Also, the event will feature “Collaboration Labs” where industry experts and food manufacturers will work through real operational challenges, and take part in peer discussions.
Education hubs located within each Solution Zone will provide complimentary programming on topics ranging from food safety to production optimization to workforce development.
Production line demonstrations of the equipment, technologies and software platforms will take the place of traditional product showcases.
Registration for FPSS will open in mid-2027.
