EATS - The Equipment, Automation and Technology Show for Food & Beverage 2027
Event Date
October 26–28, 2027
Location
Chicago, IL
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe Food Production Solutions Show (FPSS) is the 2027 successor to EATS — The Equipment, Automation and Technology Show for Food & Beverage. Messe Frankfurt, in partnership with the Food Production Solutions Association (FPSA), announced the launch of the Food Production Solutions Show, a new trade show designed to equip food manufacturers with the tools and expertise needed to successfully launch products and scale operations. The show replaces the EATS trade show, which was held in 2025 as a realignment of the previous biennial Process Expo show.
Rather than organizing around product categories, the event is built around the manufacturer's business journey. It brings together the people, technologies, services and expertise that manufacturers need as they move from concept and commercialization to production, operations and scale. The event attracts professionals from all areas of food and beverage manufacturing—plant operators, engineers, technologists, R&D teams, and executives.
Held at McCormick Place in Chicago, the show connects manufacturers with equipment, automation, packaging and digital-transformation providers under one roof. It is worth attending to see working production lines, learn from technical experts, and network with global suppliers and decision-makers across every stage of the food production lifecycle.
Show Highlights
The 2027 show is organized around four connected Solution Zones: Product Development & Planning, Regulatory & Compliance, Production & Facilities, and Operations & Scaling — reflecting the real stages of a food manufacturer's operation.
Signature elements introduced under the EATS format and expected to carry forward include:
- EATS Kitchen, an interactive culinary-to-production space showcasing product innovation.
- A Student Research Poster Program connecting academia and industry.
- A Women's Breakfast & Red Circle Honors recognizing female leadership in the food industry.
- An Innovation Awards ceremony spotlighting emerging technologies in processing, packaging, automation, ingredients, and sustainability.
Live, working production lines are a hallmark of the event. The production lines bring the entire process to life, from raw ingredients to finished products—a practical, hands-on learning experience for attendees that no other show offers.
Registration
As of publication, full registration details, pass types, and pricing for the 2027 Food Production Solutions Show had not yet been released on the official website. Prospective attendees and exhibitors can subscribe to the show's official newsletter for registration announcements, and exhibitor information is available through the show's Exhibit page.
History
The event started life in 2010 as Process Expo. The biennial Process Expo was then realigned and rebranded as EATS — The Equipment, Automation and Technology Show for Food & Beverage. EATS closed the doors on its first expo since rebranding the former Process Expo in 2025. For 2027, the event evolves again: developed through a strategic partnership between FPSA and Messe Frankfurt, FPSS replaces the Equipment, Automation & Technology Show (EATS) with a new event designed around the evolving needs of today's food manufacturers. The new show will take place Oct. 26 to 28, 2027, at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EATS still happening, or has it changed names?
EATS — The Equipment, Automation and Technology Show for Food & Beverage — has been replaced for 2027 by the Food Production Solutions Show (FPSS). FPSS is organized by Messe Frankfurt in partnership with the Food Production Solutions Association (FPSA) and is designed around the food manufacturer's journey rather than the product's journey.
When and where is the 2027 show taking place?
The Food Production Solutions Show runs October 26-28, 2027, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. The venue is located at 2301 S Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, on Chicago's lakefront.
What are the show hours?
Show hours are Tuesday, October 26 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday, October 27 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Thursday, October 28 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Who should attend?
The show is aimed at professionals across food and beverage manufacturing, including plant operators, engineers, technologists, R&D teams, and executives. Exhibitors include machinery manufacturers, robotics and automation specialists, packaging companies, software developers, and processing solution providers.
What makes the show worth attending?
The show is organized around four connected Solution Zones spanning product development, regulatory compliance, production, and scaling. Attendees can experience live, working production lines that demonstrate the process from raw ingredients to finished products, learn from industry experts, and network with global manufacturers and suppliers.
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