70th Annual IFT Conference Big Success

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Friday, 23 July 2010 16:35

Chicago, Illinois, July 2010—The Institute of Food Technologists, better known by the acronym “IFT” held it’s 70th annual meeting and convention here July 17-20, and by all with whom we asked, it was one of the best yet. Attended by thousands of scientists, technologists, marketers, suppliers, entrepreneurs and journalists who came together at Chicago’s vast McCormick Place, 230,000 square feet of halls and meeting rooms adjacent the shores of Lake Michigan on the southern edge of the Windy City’s famous downtown “Loop,” the IFT conference centers on innovations taking place in the food industry, which is vital to the health, wellness and survival of us all. Visibly present and part of most everyone’s conversation at the Conference were examples of and issues concerning food safety and defense, food health and nutrition, emerging technologies, food and ingredients, food processing and packaging, product development, sustainability, plus food policy, laws, regulations, and education and professional development. Although we’ve attended Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, and its sister Expo East in Baltimore and Boston several times, this was our first trip to IFT. We found it to be easy to navigate in spite of so much to look at and share with other attendees. Above all we were aware of how friendly and helpful the staff was, from both IFT and McCormick Place itself. It was an excellent and engaging experience, allowing us to meet and chat with many well-connected professionals, as we networked over possibilities, opportunities, innovation — and to reconnect with friends we seldom see but who have meant a lot to us in the 20 years we’ve been involved with the public relations side of the food business. A lot was learned at this meeting, observing (and of course sampling) new and improved food products, meeting new people, and coming face-to-face with others we’ve been working with for years via phone and e-mail but had never laid eyes on. We returned home tired but fulfilled, with much information to share. Stay tuned. SOURCE: IFT; Healthy Newspaper < Prev   Next >