Officials for theAmerican Meat Institute(AMI), theFood Marketing Institute(FMI) and theUnited Fresh Produce Association(UFPA) said they will co-locate their trade shows – the FMI Exhibit and Education Event, the AMI International Meat Poultry and Seafood Convention and Exposition, and United Fresh – beginning in 2012 at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas. 

The AMI Expo will be held April 30-May 3, 2012, and the FMI Exhibit and Education Event and United Fresh will be held May 1-3, 2012. 

Officials said the three shows will offer their own exhibit halls, as well as unique education programming for their own attendees. The partners will explore potential joint programming and networking events. 

This marks a reunion between the FMI Show and United Fresh, but it is the first co-location of either group with the AMI Expo. Organizers said co-location creates an event that connects the meat processing, fruit and vegetable and retail industries to create synergy for all exhibitors and attendees.

AMI President and CEO Patrick Boyle welcomed the partnership opportunity.

“Now, in addition to state-of-the art technology and cutting-edge education, AMI packer processors have a third compelling reason to attend the AMI Convention and Exposition - thousands of their retail customers in one place,” Boyle said.  “Attendees will benefit from a wide array of joint educational programming.  Exhibitors at all three shows will take advantage of the expanded marketing opportunity and additional traffic on the show floor.”