FT FIRST Annual Event & Expo, Chicago, 12-15 July 2026
Where is IFT FIRST?
McCormick Place, 2301 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago
When is it Running?
12-15 July 2026
Registration is now open: Click here to register
How do I Meet CPL?
Book an Appointment
Email IFTFIRST@cplconsult.com
Call +1 872 216 6963 (USA) or +44 1865 257 252 (UK)
The Theme for IFT FIRST 2026
The theme for 2026 is “IFT FIRST, Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology, which centres on the transformative nature of the global food system.”
Advances in food science and technology are driving innovations such as novel processing methods, sustainable packaging solutions, enhanced ingredients, genomic mapping, and breakthroughs in health and nutrition. Through collaboration and creativity, this research plays a vital role in building a food system that is safer, fairer, and more sustainable. IFT FIRST will feature a comprehensive programme showcasing the latest research, innovations, and projects shaping the global food system and benefiting our wider community.
What is IFT FIRST?
The acronym IFT FIRST stands for ‘Institute of Food Technologists’ (IFT) and ‘Food Improved by Research, Science and Technology’ (FIRST). In 2026 the annual event and expo is the place to advance your knowledge, network, business and push the future of food forward and meet CPL Business Consultants.
The IFT FIRST Annual Event & Expo is organised by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). IFT is a forum for passionate food professionals to collaborate, learn, and contribute knowledge to innovative solutions for the benefit of everyone.
Experience the latest products, trends, and innovations. Be immersed in the industry’s most extensive collection of food ingredients, food safety & quality, technology, equipment, processing and packaging suppliers. Meet over 1,000 exhibiting companies at the forefront of the latest global food trends. See the products designed to address these trends.
CPL Business Consultants is a regular attendee at this important global expo and conference. IFT FIRST exhibitors have included ABF Ingredients, ADM, Bunge, Cargill, DSM, Givaudan, Glanbia Nutritionals, GNT, Ingredion, Jungbunzlauer and Tate & Lyle.
IFT FIRST includes presentations on the latest trends in food technology which in the past included a series of Fireside Chats and a Business FIRST programme.
Expo Schedule
The event starts with a reception on July 13 and the main exhibition runs from July 15-17 opening at 10am. Registration is open from 9am to 5pm on July 12:
- Sunday, July 12, 2026
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm – Attendee Registration
- 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm – Awards Celebration Ceremony & Reception
- Monday, July 13, 2026
- 9:45 am – 10:00 am Expo Ribbon Cutting
- 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Expo Open
- Tuesday, July 14, 2026
- 6:30 am – Feeding Tomorrow Fun Run
- 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Expo Open
- Wednesday, July 15, 2026
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Expo Open
IFT FIRST Hot Topics Studio
The Hot Topics studio 20-minute intentional conversations discussing current trends and opportunities within the science of food community. Dr Robert Harwood, CPL Business Consultants Managing Director is a member of the IFT Trend Setting Workgroup involved in organising the Hot Topics Studio and was a speaker in 2024 at the Fireside Chats, discussing Cultivating Change: The Impact of Biopesticide Innovations on Global Agriculture with Pam Marrone (Invasive Species Corporation).
The topics discussed at IFT FIRST in 2025 included:
- UPFs and Hyper-Palatability Under the Microscope
- Building Food as Medicine Into the Health System
- The Complex Reality of ‘Clean’ and Shelf-Stable Foods
Feeding Tomorrow Fun Run + Walk Fundraiser
The Feeding Tomorrow Fund 5K Fun Run + Walk event started in 2001 when a few runners at the Institute of Food Technologist’s annual meeting decided to exercise and raise money for students. This event is a great way to help food science students, be part of a community, and get some exercise. The money raised from the 5K run or 1-mile walk goes to the IFT’s Feeding Tomorrow Fund, which supports future food scientists and helps the field grow.
You can see CPL’s managing director finish the 2024 run here! This is a ticketed event so be sure to buy your ticket via the IFT FIRST registration platform.
Book an Appointment at IFT FIRST
Book an appointment with CPL Business Consultants at the IFT FIRST Annual Event & Expo 2024 through our bookings page or email us on IFTFIRST@cplconsult.com. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!