EATS, the Equipment, Automation & Technology Show for Food & Beverage, returns to McCormick Place, Oct. 28-30, with an expanded lineup of on-floor attractions. With three fully functional production lines, a brand-new feature, EATS Kitchen; dynamic sector stages; and the much-anticipated Innovation Awards, this year’s event invites attendees to see, taste, learn, and connect in ways never before possible.

“We are so excited to welcome the industry to this inaugural EATS edition. EATS 2025 is engineered to bring every dimension of food and beverage manufacturing to the floor — not just in booths, but through live demonstrations,” said, Kristy Meade, vice president of technical events at Messe Frankfurt Inc., in a statement. “From watching a fully automated production line, to seeing chefs experiment with scale in the EATS Kitchen or being among the first to celebrate breakthrough solutions at the Innovation Awards — this is a show that delivers actionable insight, sensory engagement, and direct access to the future of production.”

With more than 300 exhibiting companies representing the full food and beverage ecosystem — from processing and packaging to robotics, inspection and automation — EATS 2025 is a one-stop destination for sourcing solutions and building partnerships.

New for 2025, the Software Pavilion will spotlight the digital technologies transforming manufacturing efficiency, traceability, and production intelligence. Attendees will discover innovations in MES, ERP, AI-driven quality control, and predictive maintenance — all designed to help producers achieve greater flexibility, transparency, and throughput.

At EATS 2025, two dynamic Sector Stages — The Sweet Spot and The Beverage Spot — will bring product innovation and production expertise to life. The Beverage Spot dives into trends and technologies shaping the fast-evolving drink sector, from functional and low-/no-sugar formulations to automation in bottling, processing and packaging. 

Attendees can also participate in:

Food for Thought, a series of complimentary, classroom-style presentations held right on the show floor, focusing on the ideas and technologies that are driving the future. Topics include workforce best practices, continuous improvement strategies, R&D innovations, and business methods—designed so both exhibitors and attendees walk away with fresh perspectives.

The FPSA Women’s Alliance Network Breakfast, featuring Red Circle Honors presentations and keynote, Julie Camardo, CEO of Zweigle’s. Happening on Oct. 29, this signature breakfast will also honor women leaders advancing the industry. Recipients in 2025 include Melissa Reinhart (Rising Star), Mary Mooney (Career Excellence), Elizabeth Cobb (Innovation & Inspiration), Matt Jones (Male Ally), and Esther Codina (Achievement in Developing Women).

In the Food Safety Training, hosted by the Commercial Food Sanitation and the Meat Institute, attendees will learn best practices for contamination prevention, allergen control, and system design optimization through a hybrid format of classroom learnings and an up close look at the production lines, ensuring food safety and hygienic design are synonymous.

“We are excited to welcome the food & beverage industry to EATS this month. At FPSA, our commitment has always been to strengthen and advance every segment of the food and beverage industry,” said Chris Lyons, president of the Food Production Solutions Association (FPSA), in a statement. “With EATS, we’re creating a platform that connects the entire supply chain—processors, suppliers, engineers, and innovators—to exchange ideas, adopt new technologies, and move the industry forward together. This event embodies the collaboration and continuous improvement that defines the FPSA community.”