ATLANTA – The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) and the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) have agreed to co-locate the American Meat Institute (AMI) trade show with the IPE/IFE in Atlanta, annually starting in 2013.

Meat and poultry exhibits will be combined on one show floor while the IFE will be held in an adjacent hall. The groups estimate the new show will include more than 1,000 exhibitors and occupy close to 1 million square feet of exhibit space. The combined show will rank among the 50 largest trade shows in the United States, according to a news release.

John Starkey, president of USPOULTRY, said exhibitors at IPE/IFE had asked about co-locating the shows.

“The consolidation of the trade shows will allow our respective organizations to build on the synergies of the poultry, feed and meat sectors, as well as provide a benefit to our exhibitors and members who produce our exhibit across multiple protein sectors,” Starkey added.

AMI, AFIA and USPOULTRY will operate independently and serve their respective members. USPOULTRY will handle operations for the show from their offices, while AMI and AFIA work to build attendance plus drive promotion and sales efforts.

J. Patrick Boyle, president of AMI, said the combined show would provide more value to attendees and exhibitors.

“Now we have one show that provides more education, networking and hands-on demonstration of equipment and supplies from farm through distribution,” Boyle said. “Our entire industry will benefit from the reduction in travel expenses, exhibit costs and see an undeniable increase in value.”