ATLANTA – The 2013 International Production and Processing Expo achieved record attendance with 26,393 people representing the poultry, meat and feed industries.

A total of 5,448 international visitors from 111 countries attended the expo. The largest group from a single country outside the US was Canada with 916 visitors. The largest region represented was Latin America/Caribbean with 2,394 visitors.

"The number of attendees on the exhibit floor exceeded our expectations, and we are very pleased. We had an exceptional turn-out this year," said James Adams of Wenger Feeds, Rheems, Pa., and 2013 USPOULTRY chairman.

The exhibit floor was the main attraction, according to IPPE officials. The trade show covered more than 430,000 net square feet with 1,189 exhibitors presenting the latest advances in equipment, supplies and services. The show presented attendees the opportunity to view and experience all phases of the poultry, feed, and meat industry, from live production and processing to further processing and packaging.

A week-long schedule of education programs complemented the exhibit floor by keeping industry management current on the latest issues, IPPE officials said. The education line-up included 15 sessions.

“Feedback from attendees has been very positive in terms of the education programs and time spent on the trade show floor. Many are looking forward to 2014,” said 2013-13 AFIA chairman, Alan Gunderson, Vita Plus Corp., Madison, Wis.

“The record attendance numbers serve as further confirmation that the 2013 IPPE was a rousing success,” said J. Patrick Boyle, AMI president and CEO. “With a year’s experience at the show, we expect next year will be even more valuable for attendees and exhibitors alike.”

Event sponsors included US Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), and the American Meat Institute (AMI).