The inaugural Global Cold Chain Expo, which recently took place in Chicago, was deemed a success with over 1,200 cold chain professionals from 18 countries on the scene. Co-located with United Fresh Convention and Expo, the International Floriculture Expo, and FMI Connect, attendance at the overall shows included nearly 13,000 decision-makers representing the world’s perishable supply chain including produce, logistics, flowers, temperature-controlled warehousing, food processing and manufacturing.
Created in partnership between the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) and the United Fresh Produce Association, the Global Cold Chain Expo focused on the cold chain industry and its critical role in feeding the world’s ever growing population. In addition to key cold chain players, a hosted buyer program spotlighted the value of maintaining a high quality cold chain to other industry partners including broadline foodservice distributors, food processors and major consumer packaged goods firms.
“For the first time ever, all sectors of the world’s cold chain came together under one roof,” said Eben James, chairman of the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) and president and ceo of Trenton Cold Storage, Trenton, Ontario, Canada. “The variety of exhibitors and attendees at the show provided new opportunities for participants to connect and develop new relationships.”
In the opening general session of the Expo’s educational program, keynote speaker Jim Lemke, president of Robinson Fresh, discussed the fast pace of modern supply chains and what the future of consumer shopping habits will look like. Other sessions covered topics including food safety, cold chain integration and automation.
The 27,000-square-foot show floor featured 165 exhibiting companies representing the temperature-controlled supply chain, including specialists in warehousing, transportation, construction and logistics.
The second annual Global Cold Chain Expo will return to McCormick Place in Chicago on June 13-15, 2017. For more information about the event, visit www.globalcoldchainexpo.org, or contact James Rogers at +1 703 373 4300.
