CHICAGO — The Institute of Food Technologists’ (IFT) annual event, IFT FIRST, is the world’s largest food science and innovation expo and will be held July 14-17 in Chicago.

In addition to solutions displays from over 1,000 exhibitors across ingredients, equipment, packaging and more, suppliers at IFT FIRST will also offer scientific sessions and demos.

“Every year, IFT FIRST spotlights the latest in food innovation and technological advancements from the top food companies in the world,” said Christie Tarantino-Dean, CEO of IFT. “From our stages and booths throughout the expo floor, global leaders are sharing innovations that are improving health and nutrition for communities around the world. It’s a view into the future of food you can’t afford to miss.”

Sessions will be housed in various areas: Taste of Science, which includes interactive demos, ingredient samples and product tastings; the Business FIRST stage, where presenters dive into challenges and opportunities within food science; and Fireside Chats, a more casual environment where industry experts can “chat” with attendees about critical topics impacting the industry.

In the Taste of Science area, Ardent Mills is hosting “Savory Science: Crafting Superior Gluten-Free Foods with Sorghum” on July 15 at 3:30 p.m. The fifteen-minute session, led by Kirk Bordchardt, senior R&D chef at Ardent Mills, offers attendees insights on how sorghum’s versatile flavor and sustainable features provide an opportunity for those looking to innovate in the gluten-free space.

On July 16 at 12:15 p.m., Infor, a global leader in business cloud software, will lead a session on the Business FIRST stage centered on AI. Those who attend “Harnessing AI and PLM [Product Lifecycle Management] for Next-Level Food and Beverage Innovation” will learn about strategies and tools to optimize product development, and uncover how this technology can outline growth opportunities.

Visit the IFT FIRST website for the full event program.