January 26, 2006

 

No fanfare, just opportunities at IPE 2006

 

 

Unlike most other industry trade shows, the 58th International Poultry Expo (IPE) at Atlanta, Georgia, did not start with the usual bang and fanfare associated with most exhibition openings. There were no ribbon-cutting ceremonies, no guests of honours, and certainly no welcome speeches.

 

But what it does offer are plenty of opportunities for the international poultry community to get to know one another. This year's expo showcases 830 exhibitors spanning 16 acres of ground at the Georgia World Congress Centre, featuring all segments of the industry from feed milling, hatchery and live production to marketing and processing.

 

Although the IPE has done away with an opening ceremony, it has included some first-times in its programme line-up, such as its International Reception, held at the end of the expo's first day.

 

Explained Sylvia Small, vice-president of communications for the US Poultry and Egg Association (USPEA), "We want to recognise our international exhibitors and give them an opportunity to meet industry people all over the world. The expo is very large, so this is a good time to network."

 

About 50 honorary consuls stationed in Georgia, such as those from Brazil, Nigeria and Argentina, are expected to attend the International Reception, sponsored by the organiser USPEA, food company Pilgrim's Pride, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development, among others.

 

According to the USPEA, about 20 percent of the exhibitors and attendees hail from 95 countries.

 

Almost all of these attendees--numbering about 18,000--are expected to visit conferences held from Jan 25 to 27 as did the year before, the USEPA added, despite concerns of a global bird flu threat stalling participation.

 

Also of interest is the Poultry Industry Museum booth, which features artefacts and photos of how the American poultry industry had evolved from 1850 to 1960. This is the second year the museum is being featured at IPE.

 

" It's really interesting to see how the industry has changed over the years and putting the museum in this expo will certainly drive more awareness of our industry's history, given our high traffic," Small explained.

 

The Crystal Egg Awards Marketing Competition, which recognises the marketing of IPE exhibitor's marketing efforts, is also in its fifth year. Companies honoured for their marketing campaigns at last year's IPE include Novus International for the Poster segment, and Lubing Systems for the Brochure/Flyer segment.

 

eFeedLink's presence as an exhibitor for the second consecutive year was marked by a new treat for participants and interested companies-- free consulting on the China market by its business development and China market research group.