IFT FIRST is where science meets application. Where innovation finds its market. Where the global food system comes together to solve what’s next. Your update is here with the latest information about IFT FIRST:
✓Early Registration Ends Monday, April 13th!
✓ 2026 Expo Experience Enhancements
✓ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) Highlights
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DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO SAVE!
IFT FIRST EARLY REGISTRATION
Early Registration for IFT FIRST will be ending at midnight on Monday, April 13. Be among the first to secure your spot, at the best possible rates, to join us July 12-15.
Use that $100+ savings to do more at IFT FIRST,
without expanding your budget!
Don’t wait - early registration means more time to plan, connect, and make the most of your experience at IFT FIRST.
Make sure to maximize your IFT FIRST Experience by taking advantage of all the event has to offer, before, during, and after the expo hall closes!
Evening Events below – Easy to add as part of your IFT FIRST registration
Monday's Professional Networking Event
Monday, July 13 – 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Connect with food industry professionals across disciplines at the IFT FIRST Professional Networking Event. For $75, attendees gain access to peer‑to‑peer conversations in a single setting, with food and beverage included. Registration Required – $75
Tuesday's Belonging Bash
Tuesday, July 14 – 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Join colleagues and members of IFT’s Resource Groups for an inclusive networking event celebrating community, connection, and belonging across the science of food. Registration Required – $20
Expo Hall Tours
Explore the IFT FIRST Expo floor with purpose. New guided Expo Tours offer a focused way to connect with exhibitors working on emerging solutions across food science, technology, and product development.
Available Expo Tours below – Easy to add as part of your IFT FIRST registration:
Startups Tour
Monday, July 13 – 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Explore food tech startups reshaping ingredients, processes, tools, and business models. This guided tour highlights emerging companies addressing real world product development and scale up challenges. Registration Required – $10
Proteins Tour
Monday, July 13 – 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Encounter emerging protein solutions across the value chain—from novel sources to functionality, nutrition, and sustainability. This guided tour features exhibitors addressing formulation, sensory, and processing challenges. Registration Required – $10
Artificial Intelligence Tour
Tuesday, July 14 – 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Discover real world applications of AI across food R&D, product development, manufacturing, and quality. This guided tour highlights exhibitors using AI for formulation, predictive modeling, and process optimization. Registration Required – $10
Colors and Flavors Tour
Tuesday, July 14 – 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Investigate advances in flavor and color solutions—from stability and clean label to sensory experience and global profiles. This guided tour highlights how ingredients perform across applications while addressing formulation, processing, and regulatory constraints. Registration Required – $10
Receive event updates on programming and networking opportunities by
Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology
The Leading Food Science and Innovation Expo
IFT FIRST is the only event where the entire food ecosystem converges in one place – from farm to fork, research lab to retail shelf. This complete value chain integration creates unique opportunities for cross-sector collaboration and holistic problem-solving that no other event can deliver.
Institute of Food Technologists, 433 W. Van Buren St. | Suite 11-G, Chicago, IL 60607, USA, +1.312.782.8424
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