Food Protection Trends

COMMENTARY from the executive director
January 2005

“As you know, we had a great yaer last year and we are looking forward to an even better 2005”
By David W. Tharp, IAFP Executive Director

This month we start the New Year, 2005 and we are now halfway through the first decade of the twenty-first century. It doesn’t seem all that long ago that we turned the calendar from 1999 to 2000, but five years seems like it has gone fast! Thinking back to January of 2000, it was an exciting time as the Association name had just been changed to the International Association for Food Protection, thus ending 34 years of being known as IAMFES. I know that some Members still call the Association IAMFES and that will always be! There is nothing wrong with that, it is just that our new name is so much more descriptive of what our Members do – protect the food supply.

Preparations for IAFP 2005 in Baltimore are well underway. Abstract submissions are due January 12. If you have interest in being included in the technical or educational program, see page 11 for additional details. The Program Committee will meet toward the end of January to review all submissions in addition to approving the symposium proposals and then set the program for IAFP 2005. Those who are on the Committee or who have served on the Program Committee in the past know that there is a lot of work involved and some very long hours. Of course the satisfaction of knowing the job was completed efficiently and that the end result provided great program content are some of the elements that keep Committee Members’ interest high.

We are fortunate to have a large number of Members who express interest in serving on the Program Committee. If you are interested in serving on Committees or our Professional Development Groups (PDGs), please contact our office or the Committee Chairperson to express your interest. PDGs are open to everyone (Members or nonmembers), while the Standing Committee Members are appointed with specified terms. Special Committees are open to interested Members and most do not carry term appointments.

Watch your mail early in February for the Secretary ballot. We have two outstanding candidates who are willing to serve the Association and both would make excellent Board Members. Stan Bailey and LeeAnne Jackson have agreed to be candidates for the 2005-2006 Secretary. Your completed ballot is due back to the IAFP office by March 18. Our newly elected Secretary will be announced in the May issue of Food Protection Trends and takes office upon the conclusion of IAFP 2005.

Some other items of interest are that the registration form for IAFP 2005 appears on page 77. Additional information, including the program, will become available in the coming months. Watch your Food Protection Trends and check the IAFP Web site for current information. You may also make reservations at the hotel now as the room block is open. Just so you are aware, there will be a need for IAFP to use a second hotel property as the host hotel will not be able to accommodate our entire group – so make your reservation early! Also, if you are interested in exhibiting, the same goes – get your booth space reservation in now! We do not have space for as many exhibitors as we were able to take in 2004. Don’t get turned away – call today!

As you know, we had a great year last year and we are looking forward to an even better 2005. Best wishes to all IAFP Members for a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!