Food Protection Trends - August 2012 - (Page 454)

“COMMENTARY” from the executive director “old time” newspaper columnists and now the “modern day” bloggers might encounter the same difficulties. It is actually a peculiar place for me to find myself since I really never thought about writing as a career, or even to be a part of my job responsibilities. But for more than 15 years now, somehow, someway I have decided on a topic for “next month’s column.” By count, it seems I have written more than 180 columns now! I do enjoy writing and always thought I should write a summary of trips I have taken; and this, even before my travels took me outside of North America. Good fortune has allowed me to travel to so many locations worldwide that I really wish that I had implemented this habit when I was younger. While I was in school, I did receive good marks in my English writing and speech classes. Also, in college the grades were very good. So, I suppose it is never too much of a struggle to write a monthly column since normally, it is a diary of my thoughts or a report on Association activities. So, the question now is, “what topic should be my focus for August?” A number of ideas float through my mind; Member participation on PDGs and Committees, Board Member service, recognition of IAFP staff, results of IAFP 2012 (actually, this would be “predictions” about IAFP 2012), a look ahead at third and fourth quarter meetings where IAFP will be actively present, or just some life philosophy. Since I can’t really decide, I’ll see how many of the above topics can be covered this month. By DAVID W. THARP, CAE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR I t is always challenging to determine what to write about in a monthly column like this one. I suppose In no particular order…here we go. Let’s start with the obvious – IAFP 2012. As I said, this will be more like “predictions” since I am writing this column a few weeks prior to the meeting start up. Last year in Milwaukee, IAFP celebrated its 100YearAnniversary with more than 2,500 attendees. We thought this record number of attendees was a direct result of the 100-Year Anniversary. Well it looks like 2012 is going to break last year’s attendance record; at least based on our comparisons of pre-registration numbers. We “We are proud have also seen an increase in the number of exhibiting companies and organizations and an increase in the total number of booths in our exhibition hall. This,on top of excellent sponsorship for IAFP 2012 leads us to believe we will have outstanding financial results for IAFP 2012 and thus for the Association’s fiscal year. The number of presentations through symposia, poster sessions and technical sessions also reached a record level at IAFP 2012 in Providence, Rhode Island. Food safety professionals around the world now recognize that IAFP’s Annual Meeting is the meeting for food safety and food protection. Ours is the meeting where they want to present their research and share their experience with other interested colleagues. We continue to see increased participation in our Committee and PDG meetings, so it of the significant growth in IAFP’s Membership.” 454 FOOD PROTECTION TRENDS | AUGUST 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Protection Trends - August 2012

Food Protection Trends - August 2012
Contents
Sustaining Members
From Your President
Commentary from the Executive Director
Efficacy of Various Consumer-Friendly Produce Washing Technologies in Reducing Pathogens on Fresh Produce
Assessing Factors Contributing to Food Safety Culture in Retail Food Establishments
New Members
What’s Happening in Food Safety
Industry Products
Journal of Food Protection Table of Contents
Advertising Index
Coming Events
Thoughts on Today’s Food Safety...Threats to Ingredient Water Safety

Food Protection Trends - August 2012