IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo

What IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo does

IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo is the flagship annual food science and innovation event organized by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional society founded in 1936 and headquartered at 433 West Van Buren Street in Chicago, Illinois. The event is held at McCormick Place in Chicago and convenes 15,500+ participants from 80 countries, including researchers, food scientists, suppliers, decision-makers, product developers, and food-tech startups. The 2026 edition featured 100+ educational sessions, 450+ research posters, 1,000+ exhibitors, and a Startup Pavilion hosting up to 100 emerging food and food-tech startups.

A defining 2026 architectural change moved all scientific programming directly into the expo hall, eliminating travel between separate venues and creating a single integrated environment for learning and exhibitor engagement. Other program components include Individual Presentations, Scientific & Technical Forums, Hot Topics Studio interviews, Ignite career-skill sessions, a Taste of Science experiential track, the Solutions Showcase presented by Food Technology Magazine, the IFT Hub networking headquarters, and The Pitch! rapid-pitch startup competition offering $15,000 in prizes (presented by Seeding The Future Foundation). A complementary $99 Virtual Experience tier extends access to more than 10 recorded scientific sessions for remote attendees.

IFT FIRST generates revenue through multiple streams: exhibitor booth fees, sponsorship packages (sponsors generated 45% more leads than non-sponsors in 2025), $99 virtual registrations, and Startup Pavilion fees, with the bulk of revenue concentrated around the annual three-day event. The customer base spans enterprise ingredient and technology suppliers (e.g., Bell Flavors & Fragrances, Riviana, GNT, Virginia Dare, Prosur), food-tech startups, academic researchers and students, and food industry decision-makers (84% of attendees make or influence buying decisions, 50% have $1M+ buying influence). IFT complements the event with a year-round content portfolio including the Journal of Food Science (published since 1936), Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety (ranked #3 globally by Impact Factor), Food Technology Magazine, the Omnivore podcast, the Brain Food Blog, and the Early Career Researchers Program.

Name

IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo

Legal name

Institute of Food Technologists

Website

https://iftevent.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

IFT FIRST is the leading annual food science and innovation expo organized by the Institute of Food Technologists, convening 15,500+ participants from 80 countries at McCormick Place in Chicago with 1,000+ exhibitors, integrated scientific programming, a Startup Pavilion, and a $99 virtual experience tier.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Show and Conference

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Technology & Innovation Expos Organizers (THAHABAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Manufacturing, Industrial Equipment & Automation Shows Organizers (THAHABAF)

Keywords

• Food science expo
• Industry trade show
• Scientific conferences
• Startup competition
• Event sponsorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Mccormick

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Exhibitor Fees: Companies pay to exhibit at IFT FIRST, with exhibitors gaining access to 15,500+ participants from 80 different countries. 84% of attendees make or influence buying decisions, and 50% have buying influence over $1M.
2. Sponsorship Packages: Exclusive sponsorship packages help brands stand out and capture attention of attendees. In 2025, exhibitors who were also sponsors generated 45% more leads vs. non-sponsors.
3. Virtual Registration: $99 virtual attendance option providing access to recorded scientific sessions, including Keynote presentations, Hot Topics Studio discussions, Solutions Showcase sessions, and featured programming.
4. Startup Pavilion Fees: Startups pay to exhibit in the Startup Pavilion, with limited 100 spots available. The Pavilion hosts The Pitch! competition with $15,000 in prizes.
5. The Pitch! Competition Prizes: First place wins $10,000 plus four-hour Nextin Growth Strategy Ideation Session. Two runners-up each receive $2,500 plus two-hour strategy session. Prizes presented by Seeding The Future Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo is the flagship three-day food science and innovation expo organized by the Institute of Food Technologists, featuring 100+ educational sessions, 450+ research posters, and 1,000+ exhibitors at McCormick Place in Chicago. The event generates revenue from exhibitor booths, multi-tier sponsorship packages, Startup Pavilion placements, and a $99 Virtual Experience option, while also serving as the venue for The Pitch! startup competition with $15,000 in prizes.

Product overview

IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo is the leading food science and innovation event organized by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). The event features a core expo and conference with scientific programming held directly in the expo hall, connecting researchers, suppliers, and decision-makers. The portfolio includes the IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo as the primary offering, complemented by a Virtual Experience for remote attendance. Event programming encompasses Individual Presentations, Scientific & Technical Forums, Posters & Research Showcase, Hot Topics Studio, Startup Pavilion, Keynotes, Ignite Your Career sessions, Taste of Science, Solutions Showcase, and IFT Hub networking. The Startup Pavilion hosts The Pitch! startup competition. IFT also publishes scientific journals (Journal of Food Science, CRFSFS), Food Technology Magazine, the Omnivore Podcast, and Brain Food Blog, while supporting Early Career Researchers through a dedicated mentorship program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IFT FIRST: The leading food science and innovation annual event and expo hosted by the Institute of Food Technologists
• Journal of Food Science
• Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety (CRFSFS)
• Food Technology Magazine
• Omnivore Podcast
• Brain Food Blog
• The Pitch!

Products and services

• IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo Three-day in-person food science and innovation expo at McCormick Place in Chicago featuring 100+ educational sessions, 450+ research posters, and 1,000+ exhibitors; the leading annual gathering for food science researchers, suppliers, and decision-makers.
• IFT FIRST Virtual Experience Online $99 virtual registration providing access to more than 10 recorded scientific sessions, including Keynote presentations, Hot Topics Studio discussions, Solutions Showcase sessions, and other featured programming.
• The Pitch! Startup Competition Rapid-pitch competition for food-tech startups at IFT FIRST with $15,000 in total prizes: $10,000 first place plus a four-hour Nextin Growth Strategy Ideation Session, and $2,500 each for two runners-up plus two-hour strategy sessions; prizes presented by Seeding The Future Foundation.
• Startup Pavilion Dedicated exhibition area at IFT FIRST showcasing up to 100 emerging food and food-tech startups presenting breakthrough innovations, ingredient solutions, and technologies to industry decision-makers, investors, and potential partners.
• Journal of Food Science Peer-reviewed journal published since 1936, bringing original research reports and critical reviews from researchers worldwide across the food science spectrum.
• Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety (CRFSFS) Peer-reviewed journal ranked #3 Food Science journal by Impact Factor worldwide, publishing critical and extended commentaries on food science, safety, and technology topics.
• Food Technology Magazine Leading publication exploring the intersection of business, science, and technology in the global food system, with editorial coverage of IFT FIRST events, sessions, and innovations.
• Omnivore Podcast Podcast featuring thought-provoking conversations with science, business, and regulatory leaders shaping the future of food, including episodes of SciDish and special coverage ahead of IFT FIRST.
• Brain Food Blog Blog offering timely perspectives and thought leadership on emerging topics in food science and technology.
• Early Career Researchers Program Professional development program providing emerging scientists with mentorship, peer review experience, and editorial insight through the Editorial Scholars cohort.

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nextin ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Growth Strategy Ideation Sessions as prizes for The Pitch! competition winners. First place receives a four-hour session; runners-up receive two-hour sessions to help identify growth opportunities.
• Almond Board of CaliforniaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStartup Pavilion sponsor supporting emerging businesses and innovation at IFT FIRST.
• PeakbridgeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStartup Pavilion sponsor supporting emerging businesses and innovation at IFT FIRST.
• Sheraton Grand Chicago RiverwalkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSatellite badge pickup location and venue for Professional Networking Event during IFT FIRST.
• IFTSA (Institute of Food Technologists Student Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent association hosting the Closing Ceremony at IFT FIRST 2026. IFTSA connects students in food science and technology programs.
• Naturally Proud NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Belonging Bash networking event with IFT Resource Groups and Ingredion.
• IngredionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Belonging Bash networking event with IFT Resource Groups and Naturally Proud Network.
• IFT Resource GroupscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFT's member resource groups hosting the Belonging Bash networking event.
• Food Technology MagazinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMagazine presenting the Solutions Showcase curated series of short, science-based presentations focused on product development, safety, nutrition, and operational solutions.
• IFT's Annual Meeting Scientific Programs Advisory Panel (AMSPAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer-led panel curating Individual Presentations and Scientific & Technical Forums for IFT FIRST.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Food Industry Association (FMI): FMI runs industry events and trade programs for grocery retailers and food suppliers, overlapping with IFT FIRST on the supplier-retailer connection portion of the food ecosystem. It represents an adjacent trade-association peer with similar event-driven GTM motion.
• ProFood Tech / ProPak (Informa): ProFood Tech and ProPak series focus on food processing, packaging, and manufacturing technology — overlapping with IFT FIRST's technology and ingredient innovation scope on the supplier side. Run by Informa, they compete for equipment and ingredient exhibitor budgets.
• American Chemical Society (ACS Meetings): ACS organizes large national and themed meetings with food chemistry and agricultural science tracks that draw a partially overlapping scientific audience with IFT FIRST. While broader in scientific scope, ACS represents a credible alternative venue for food science research presentation and exhibitor brand visibility.

Broad incumbents

• RX Global (Reed Exhibitions food events): RX Global (Reed Exhibitions) operates a broad portfolio of food and hospitality expos globally, including events that compete with IFT FIRST for ingredient supplier and CPG brand exhibitor dollars. As a broader incumbent with diversified event assets, RX is comparable in business model if not in food science specialization.

Direct peers

• Informa Markets (SupplySide / Food Ingredients): Informa Markets operates SupplySide West/East and Food Ingredients (Fi) Europe/Asia — B2B expos for the food ingredient, supplement, and nutrition industries that directly overlap with IFT FIRST's audience of food scientists, R&D professionals, and ingredient suppliers. Both compete for exhibitor booth spend and sponsor dollars from the same global ingredient supplier and finished-product brand base.
• Comexposium (SIAL): Comexposium operates the SIAL network of food innovation exhibitions (SIAL Paris, SIAL Canada, SIAL China, etc.), targeting food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and retail buyers. SIAL events are direct competitors to IFT FIRST for international exhibitor share and global food industry buyer attendance.
• Koelnmesse (Anuga): Koelnmesse organizes Anuga, one of the world's largest food and beverage trade fairs held biennially in Cologne, drawing tens of thousands of international buyers and food industry exhibitors. It competes directly with IFT FIRST for global food brand, supplier, and retailer participation across both innovation showcase and B2B lead generation.
• Specialty Food Association (Fancy Food Show): The Specialty Food Association operates the Fancy Food Shows (Winter and Summer), the largest B2B marketplace for specialty, gourmet, and innovative food and beverage brands. It competes with IFT FIRST for CPG brand exhibitor attention, retail buyer attendance, and sponsor investment in food innovation showcases.
• Messe Frankfurt (food-related expos): Messe Frankfurt hosts a portfolio of food-related expos including ProSweets Cologne and other confectionery, beverage, and specialty food events that overlap with IFT FIRST's supplier and buyer base. It is a direct competitor for global exhibitor spend and international attendee share.
• Diversified Communications (Natural Products Expo): Diversified Communications owns and operates Natural Products Expo West and Expo East, the leading trade shows for natural, organic, and specialty food brands and suppliers. They share IFT FIRST's audience of ingredient suppliers, CPG brands, and retail buyers and compete for sponsor and exhibitor revenue.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PL77-j5KK85RVZFgkypho8YoMDhxy9I4oe
• Facebookfacebook.com/IFTfoodscience
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-of-food-technologists
• Instagraminstagram.com/foodtechconnect
• Xx.com/IFT

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo