This episode focuses on the International Food Automation Networking (IFAN) Conference, held in September at GTRI in Atlanta. 

The IFAN Conference focuses on Robotics and Automation in the food industry and examines new technology trends, industry challenges, and evolving research. The conference brings together industry leaders from across the globe for two days of education sessions and networking opportunities.

The conference is organized by the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI); FAN Limited; and BMC, UK. Targeted toward corporate food manufacturing engineering leaders, equipment suppliers, and end customers of such technologies, the IFAN conference seeks to provide meaningful networking opportunities, highlight tangible research and development activities, and provide a broader context for automation deployment in the food manufacturing sector.

According to episode co-host Stephanie Richter, IFAN is an opportunity for professionals in the food automation industry to:

• Highlight current and future needs of the industry.
• See some current solutions and emerging technologies that could change and shape the future of food automation and manufacturing.
• Network and exchange information, ask hard questions, and probe about new technologies really driving innovation in food automation. 

The episode includes live interviews conducted by GTRI researchers Stephanie Richter and Eric Klein with attendees during the IFAN event.