Process Expo kicks off with unveiling of new event branding

Global food equipment and technology show Process Expo has kicked off in Chicago, with organizers unveiling new branding for the event and 2023 innovation award winners announced.

The event features more than 375 exhibitors from 19 countries in the food and beverage manufacturing industry. The 2023 edition includes the Food for Thought series, three live production lines covering meat, bakery and pet food, the Market and Career Development Center and the Process Expo Innovation Awards.

New brand identity

Event organizers Messe Frankfurt Inc. and the Food Processing Suppliers Association announced a new brand identity for Process Expo. The event will now be known as EATS: The Equipment And Technology Show for Food & Beverage.

Constantin von Vieregge, president and CEO of Messe Frankfurt Inc., unveiled the new name and logo during an opening day news conference.

“In the last few years, F&B industry has truly evolved and expanded its offerings within new sectors such as alternative proteins, pet food, functional beverages, and more, making this the right time to refresh the brand identity of our show,” he said in a news release. “It’s not just a name change — it’s carrying forward a new vision. EATS will be the platform where innovation, collaboration and progress thrive to create a strong business, knowledge, and a growth-driven environment for the industry.”

This new branding will focus on eight targeted areas: bakery, beverage, cannabis, dairy, pet food, prepared food, proteins, and sweets.

“This evolution of the show is fully embraced by FPSA leadership as it will serve to further strengthen our platform as the premier showcase of manufacturing solutions for the food and beverage industry,” David Seckman, president and CEO of the Food Processing Suppliers, said in the release. “With the rapid pace of change in this dynamic industry, it makes sense for us to continually look at our event and shape it in ways that brings ever more value to our constituents including both suppliers to the industry as well as the end user. We are confident that EATS is yet one more step in that direction.”

The new branding, which includes a redesigned website, can be seen in select locations across the 2023 exhibition. The first edition of EATS: The Equipment And Technology Show for Food & Beverage will take place Oct. 28-30, 2025 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Process Expo Innovation Award 2023 winners

• Best New Application and Product: German Bionic for the Apogee robotic exoskeleton, which combines human intelligence with machine power to boost workplace safety and worker health.
• Best New Technology for Sustainability: TMCAqua for its Ceramic Membrane technology that can recover low-grade enthalpy and clean water from waste exhaust stacks from gas combustion and drying processes.
• Best New Technology for Automation: Weber Inc. for the Weber retail solution that is customized to solve challenges with less people, more throughput with existing square footage and innovative automated line control.

“Innovations push new market developments and are a testament to the ingenuity and vision of the brands participating at this year’s show. Best of all, attendees are able to see these winning innovations present in the winner’s booth,” Kristy Meade, vice president of Technical Textiles & Technology Shows for Messe Frankfurt Inc., said.