A Day in the Life of an AFIA Staff Member at IPPE

Written by: Lacie Dotterweich   |   February 7, 2020

IPPE, Member value, Vlog, Education

Oh, IPPE. Three days of new friends, new learnings and new blisters on your feet. Every January, herds of meat, machinery, poultry and feed folks flock to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta for the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). The world’s largest annual feed, poultry and meat industry event of its kind, IPPE brings together a diverse crowd to showcase the industry’s newest technological advances, learn about the latest issues and network with new people.

You’re probably wondering about the aforementioned blisters. It’s well known throughout the three halls of IPPE that the number one rule of the expo is to wear comfortable shoes. To fit the more than 32,000 professionals that attend the show, the whole might of the Congress Center is used, with exhibits and educational programs spanning over 522,000 square feet. With so much to see, and so far to walk, the comfortable shoes are a must if you want to catch all of the great educational programs IPPE has to offer.

The American Feed Industry Association hosts several feed and pet food focused programs every year, discussing important topics in the animal food industry such as biosecurity, Food Safety Modernization Act inspections and dilated cardiomyopathy in pets – just to name a few. In addition to the educational programs, attendees have the opportunity to learn about new happenings in the industry via short, easy to digest presentations called Tech Talks. AFIA hosted a few Tech Talks this year on what’s going on in Washington, international feed machinery standards and the new online Feed Manufacturing Technology resource.

The educational events are awesome, don’t get me wrong – this year I learned about millennials driving sustainable pet food product trends, but my favorite part about IPPE are all the opportunities to talk to our members and meet new people, in really cool places (such as the Georgia World Aquarium). Oh, and the dogs of course. This year, Careing Paws, a local group of therapy dogs, came to the show to give kisses and stress relief.

So, what does a day in the life of an AFIA staff member at IPPE look like? Watch a quick recap video below to see IPPE through my eyes (and sore feet!) to find out.

I am already looking forward to next year! See you in Atlanta, Jan. 26-28!