Zootecnica International - World Poultry Journal

ATLANTA - The 2009 International Poultry Expo/Feed Expo attracted more than 18,000 industry leaders from throughout the United States and around the world. Sponsored by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) and the American Feed Industry Association, it is the world's largest poultry and feed event.
The main attraction was the huge exhibit floor where 888 exhibiting companies displayed the latest equipment, supplies, and services used in the production and processing of poultry, eggs, and feed. All segments of the industry were represented, from live production and processing to further processing and packaging. Many firms take advantage of the annual gathering to introduce their new products.

"We are very pleased with this year's Expo," said newly elected USPOULTRY chairman Monty Henderson, George's, Inc., Springdale, AR. "We are particularly gratified with the number of attendees and exhibitors, in light of the current economic conditions. And we saw enthusiastic participation in the education programs and other activities during the show," he added.

The Expo is a total event. In addition to the exhibits, the education programs keep industry management up to date on current issues and concerns. A unique Animal Agriculture Environmental Sustainability Summit focused on the challenges and solutions of environmental stewardship. One of the highlight of the summit was Bob Langert, McDonald's Corporation, discussing his firm's sustainability efforts in the restaurant industry. The USPOULTRY education program featured Tom Hensley, president of Fieldale Farms, who gave the Industry Outlook: An Executive Management Perspective.

A special Market Intelligence Forum examined economic conditions in the poultry industry today and looked ahead to what 2009 will bring. Mike Donohue, Agri-Stats, discussed Poultry Production - Are High Feed Prices Driving us to Ruin?; Tom Elam, FarmEcon, covered Low Profitability - Can We Blame it on Ethanol?; and Dr. Paul Aho, Poultry Perspective, reviewed International Market - What Does the Future Hold for the Poultry Industry?

The College Student Career Program drew almost 300 students from universities around the nation. Graduating students interview for jobs with industry and allied firms, in addition to complementing their studies by seeing the latest technology used in the modern poultry industry. Company and organization meetings, the International Buyer Connection Program, InfoMart, publisher-sponsored programs, Pet Food Conference, and once-a-year networking opportunities all made the Expo the place to be.