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Food Protection Trends COMMENTARY from the Executive Director “Our meeting
at Walt Disney World ® Resort
in Florida will have so much
for everyone to do and see ” This issue of Food Protection Trends is our Annual Meeting issue and includes the full program for IAFP 2007. Our coverage of the 94th Annual Meeting begins on page 450. You will want to review the program to plan for your participation in the “leading food safety conference!” Our meeting at Walt Disney World ® Resort in Florida will have so much for everyone to do and see, it will be one experience you will not soon forget. If you have never been to Walt Disney World ® , you will love the surroundings and the “Disney” experience. If ever you have considered bringing family members or friends to an IAFP Annual Meeting, this might just be the best time ever. IAFP 2007 presents the greatest opportunity to visit Walt Disney World ® for those who have not yet been able to do this. In all, there are four theme parks and two water parks for your amusement and fun. Plus, there are great restaurants, many shopping and entertainment opportunities, along with golf, tennis, swimming, fishing and boating. In addition to all that Disney has to offer, we have arranged a number of tours that your friends or family may choose to participate in. There are tours for you to consider on Saturday and Sunday prior to the start of our meeting and an additional day of field tours planned for Thursday after the meeting. Tour descriptions are on page 486, but let me tell you a little about our Saturday and Sunday line up. On Saturday, our tour travels east of Orlando to the Kennedy Space Center for observation of rockets and the space shuttle along with lunch with an astronaut. There are also two field tours on Saturday, one to the food operations of Disney, the second to learn about innovative technologies in food production. Lastly for Saturday, we have a golf tournament planned for the morning. On Saturday afternoon, IAFP will hold a welcome reception for those arriving early. This is an opportunity to meet new friends and renew old acquaintances. We hope you will be able to join us! Then, all day on Sunday, our Committees and Professional Development Groups (PDGs) will meet to discuss their interests and give guidance to the Association. Committee and PDG meetings are open to all attendees so plan now to attend those that interest you! Our tour for Sunday will travel to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. There, participants will learn about the endangered wildlife at the refuge. Later, the group will take an airboat ride through the Everglades with certified eco-guides. Committee and PDG meetings end late in the afternoon and the tour will return by 3 p.m., all in time for the Opening Session (6 p.m. until 7 p.m.) and the Opening Reception (from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.). Don’t be late to the Opening Session as there are a few surprises waiting for you at 6:00 p.m.! Presentations begin on Monday and continue through Wednesday, but we have something planned for each evening, should you care to participate. Our Monday Evening Social will be held at Disney’s Epcot ® at the America n Adventure Rotunda. After a reception-style dinner, we will enjoy a desert party while watching the IllumniNations : Reflections of Earth laser, fireworks and special lighting effects show. Tuesday night presents an opportunity for some unique fun and entertainment. Offered as a fundraiser for the IAFP Foundation, our group will travel to the Adventurer’s Club at Pleasure Island. Share stories with the many characters at this 1930’s legendary night club as you enjoy the evening. At the end of the evening, you may choose to extend your visit to Pleasure Island. Of course on Wednesday evening, we will gather for the Annual Awards Banquet to share conversation with colleagues and recognize those selected leaders in food safety. Plan your IAFP Annual Meeting experience to include the Awards Banquet. It has become one of the largest gatherings of attendees over the past years! To wrap up your trip to IAFP 2007, you may want to consider a Thursday morning field tour. In addition to the two tours mentioned earlier for Saturday (food operations and innovative food technologies), we have two additional tours to choose from. A trip is planned to Disney’s Environmental Laboratory for a behind-the-scenes look at the environmental lab operations. Also, a tour to visit the first commercial food irradiation facility at Food Technology Service, Inc. will give you a first-hand look at this technology. As you can see, there are so many things to experience at IAFP 2007; you will want to spend some extra time while there. We hope you have made your plans to attend IAFP 2007 and we look forward to seeing you at Walt Disney World ® next month.
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