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<< back to the 2001 archive listing << Dairy, Food and Environmental Sanitation Commentary From The Executive Director Whatever you do don't miss this year's Annual Meeting Minneapolis in January! Just to mention Minneapolis during the winter months brings to mind — COLD! This past January was no exception. When the Program Committee met toward the end of January, temperatures ranged from 8° below zero to 20°F with wind chill factors sometimes reaching 30° below zero! We were fortunate to make it in and out of Minneapolis without encountering a major "snow event." Under the leadership of Stan Bailey, USDA/ARS, Athens, Georgia, the Program Committee conducted their work in the comfort of the Hilton Minneapolis. The Committee met over two days with the Executive Board meeting following for two additional days. All meetings took place in the hotel where it was a balmy 72 degrees! Jenny Scott covered the results of the Program Committee meeting in this month’s President’s Column and the Highlights of the Executive Board meeting are presented on page 227 in this issue, so I have the pleasure of introducing you to Minneapolis in this month’s column — to be experienced during warmer times. We recognize that IAFP 2001’s program content is the reason to attend the Association’s 88th Annual Meeting. But Minneapolis has so much to offer it would be a shame to not take advantage of the many opportunities. Minneapolis is a truly cosmopolitan city with every type of entertainment available right at the doorstep of the Hilton Minneapolis. The Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts will satisfy art lovers. The Theatre District offers Broadway shows, the Warehouse District offers nightclubs with all variations of music and dancing, and sports abound in Minneapolis, the "City of Lakes." Nicolett Mall, a 12-block pedestrian mall with unique shops and restaurants is just one block from the Hilton. If the temperatures outside during August exceed the normal 81° and it becomes too hot, the "Skyway" system of elevated, indoor building connectors provides a convenient, climate-controlled way to walk around downtown. You may choose to use the Skyway, the sidewalks or a taxi to reach one of more than 275 restaurants in downtown that offer food of all ethnic varieties in all price ranges from economical to five-star dinning. The shopper in you might be drawn to the world-famous "Mega-Mall" to shop ‘till you drop. An express bus will take you there for only $1.50! So much to do, so little time. Plan now to come early or stay late to take advantage of all that Minneapolis offers! If you can only come for the Meeting itself, we have arranged a variety of events that allow you to experience Minneapolis. Beginning at 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening (August 5), the Opening Session kicks off the Annual Meeting, followed by the Cheese and Wine Reception in the Exhibit Hall. Be on hand to share memories of past Meetings with old friends and to meet new colleagues. It is a great way to start the "World’s Leading Food Safety Conference." Monday after sessions conclude, an informal Exhibit Hall Reception takes place. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and greet exhibitors and colleagues after a day of invigorating presentations. The Reception is followed by the traditional Monday Night Social. A Mississippi Dinner Cruise awaits Social attendees this year. Watch the hustle and bustle of downtown Minneapolis wind down, while relaxing on the deck of our riverboat as we pass under the James J. Hill Stone Arch Bridge and through the northern most lock on the Mississippi River. This is a cruise experience you will long remember! On Tuesday evening, you may choose to join friends for a night at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome to watch the Minnesota Twins take on the Cleveland Indians in a game of baseball. Also, a limited number of attendees will be able to attend the "Cadillac of Dinner Theaters," the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. Word is that the show may be "My Fair Lady." We will know for sure as we get closer to the actual show date. The Annual Awards Banquet takes place on Wednesday night. Be on hand to honor Members recognized for their contributions to the Association and excellence in food protection. The Awards Banquet concludes the Annual Meeting and thus, concludes a summary of evening events for IAFP 2001 — the Association’s 88th Annual Meeting. We hope that you will make every effort to be with us this August. For up-to-date program information, visit the Web site at www.foodprotection.org. Online registration is available again this year. We encourage you to bring friends and family with you to Minneapolis so that they may enjoy the city. Daytime tours are offered for their enjoyment. Abbreviated descriptions are shown on page 250 and expanded, detailed descriptions are available on our Web site. You may want to join a post-meeting tour to the inland port of Duluth and Lake Superior, one of the Great Lakes. Whatever you do, don’t miss this year’s Annual Meeting. The events supplement the program and provide extraordinary opportunities to establish life-long, professional contacts with food safety professionals from around the United States, North America and the World! Come to Minneapolis it is sure to be a great conference – we will even guarantee that there will be no temperature readings below zero in August! |