International Poultry Expo

International Poultry Expo
Name	International Poultry Expo
Status	Active
Genre	Trade show
Frequency	Annual
Venue	Georgia World Congress Center
Location	Atlanta, Georgia (U.S. state), United States
First	1970s
Organizer	United States Poultry & Egg Association; U.S. Poultry & Egg Association
Attendance	30,000+ (typical)
Website	Official site

International Poultry Expo The International Poultry Expo is a major annual trade show for the poultry and egg industries, held in Atlanta and organized by the United States Poultry & Egg Association. The Expo convenes producers, processors, distributors, equipment manufacturers, and service providers from regions including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Exhibitors and attendees represent companies and institutions such as Tyson Foods, Pilgrim's Pride, Perdue Farms, Koch Foods, and Cobb-Vantress.

Overview

The Expo functions as a marketplace and forum linking corporations like Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Bunge Limited, Hormel Foods, and JBS USA with suppliers such as Big Dutchman, Valco, GSI, Meyn, and Stenner Pump Company. Delegates include representatives from USDA, Food and Drug Administration, World Organization for Animal Health, International Poultry Council, and research institutions like University of Georgia, Auburn University, Texas A&M University, North Carolina State University, and Iowa State University. The show highlights technologies from firms such as GEA Group, Sanderson Farms, Meyn, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, and Zoetis.

History

Early roots trace to regional poultry gatherings and associations including the American Poultry Association and the National Chicken Council that held expositions in the 20th century. The Expo expanded through partnerships with organizations like the Poultry Science Association, National Turkey Federation, American Egg Board, and agricultural fairs tied to universities such as Penn State University and University of Arkansas. Notable historical intersections involved legislation and trade developments with entities like the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiators, World Trade Organization delegations, and commodity market changes tied to companies like Tyson Foods and Pilgrim's Pride during consolidation waves of the 1990s and 2000s.

Organization and Sponsorship

The event is produced by the United States Poultry & Egg Association in collaboration with partners including the American Feed Industry Association, National Chicken Council, Poultry Federation, and international bodies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization advisory panels. Corporate sponsors have included DuPont, BASF, Dow Chemical Company, Merck & Co., Bayer AG, Elanco, and Cargill. Venue logistics involve the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, Delta Air Lines, and hospitality partners like Marriott International and Hilton Worldwide.

Exhibits and Products

Exhibits span categories represented by suppliers such as Big Dutchman, Valco, Meyn, Lumpys, Plasson, Hubbard, and Hy-Line International for genetics, feed, housing, and processing equipment providers including Meyn, Stork, GEA Group, and Baader; packaging firms like Sealed Air; and refrigerated transport companies such as Carrier Global and Thermo King. Feed ingredient and additive companies in attendance include Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland Company, BASF, Evonik Industries, and DSM. Processing and foodservice brands represented historically include Maple Leaf Foods, Tyson Foods, Perdue Farms, Hormel Foods, and Koch Foods.

Educational Programs and Conferences

Conference tracks are organized with academic and industry partners including the Poultry Science Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, and university extension programs from University of Georgia Extension, Auburn Cooperative Extension, and University of Florida IFAS. Sessions address topics with speakers from USDA Agricultural Research Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Organization for Animal Health, International Poultry Council, and companies such as Elanco and Zoetis. Specialty seminars include workforce development with National FFA Organization, 4-H, and corporate HR teams from Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms.

Attendance and Economic Impact

The Expo draws attendees from major poultry-producing states including Georgia (U.S. state), Arkansas, Iowa, North Carolina, Mississippi, and international delegations from Brazil, China, Mexico, Canada, and Spain. Economic analyses cite impacts comparable to large conventions hosted in Atlanta that affect lodging and travel sectors represented by Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Marriott International, and regional attractions like Centennial Olympic Park and Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) as analogues. Industry trade flows involve corporations such as Tyson Foods, Cargill, and Pilgrim's Pride, influencing commodity markets overseen by exchanges like the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

Notable Events and Awards

The Expo hosts awards programs recognizing achievements from companies and researchers associated with Poultry Science Association and industry innovators like Cobb-Vantress and Hy-Line International. Past keynote presenters have included executives from Tyson Foods, Perdue Farms, and regulators from USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service and FDA. Special events have coincided with major industry milestones involving Avian influenza responses coordinated with USDA APHIS and international coordination with the World Organisation for Animal Health.

International and Industry Relationships

The Expo facilitates bilateral and multilateral cooperation among trade delegations from Brazilian Association of Animal Protein, European Commission agricultural representatives, China Ministry of Agriculture liaisons, and trade groups such as the International Poultry Council. Corporate participation includes multinational agribusinesses like Cargill, Bunge Limited, Tyson Foods, JBS S.A., and BRF S.A., while research collaborations link institutions such as University of Georgia, Auburn University, Wageningen University and Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, and AgResearch.

Category:Poultry industry