Food Protection Trends - March 2009 - 146

from the executive director any times we are asked about the financial health of the Association. How has the economy affected Membership? Sponsorship? Exhibitor participation? Attendance at symposia and meetings? Well, this provides a couple of topics that can be discussed in this month’s column. First, let’s just say that the financial health of the Association is really very good generally. There are a number of factors that can be investigated further, but to begin with, when we look at the budget for the current year and compare how we measure up we are tracking in really good shape. Our fiscal year begins September 1, and ends August 31 so we have four months of financial statements to review at the time I’m writing. We all know what happened to investment portfolios has hurt everyone’s (and every business’) financial picture. IAFP is no different here. Our investments for the calendar year 2008 show an overall decrease in valuation of 34%, probably about the same as your average loss of value. So when looking at our financial statements and comparing to budget, if yo u re m ove t h e a f fe c t s o f t h e investment portfolio, the organization (IAFP) is actually performing ahead of what was budgeted! If we look deeper, Membership is actually growing – that is really wonderful news! We are exceeding our revenue budget for Membership. Sponsorship for IAFP 2009 is just about to reach last year’s total and we still have six months until the meeting. Our expectation is that we will obtain last year’s position and even be able to exceed that record level of sponsorship funding. Exhibitor sign up for “COMMENTARY” M By DAVID W. THARP, CAE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR “Food safety in a time of shrinking budgets” the next Annual Meeting is tracking very well when compared to last year. Exhibitors seem very excited about IAFP 2009 and the publicity effort is just now ready to begin. Attendance for IAFP 2009 is surely an unknown factor at this point in time . Registration just opened in February and promotion will begin more in earnest in March. One comparison that can be used to show IAFP’s success is that of our European Symposium held in Lisbon last November. We experienced a 50% increase in attendance over the prior year in Rome. Of course we don’t expect that percentage i n c re a s e fo r I A F P 2 0 0 9 , b u t i t seems that food safety is still a major concern even in times of shrinking budgets. Food safety in a time of shrinking budgets calls for particularly strong management. Not only in an association like IAFP, but in the many food product companies and our government inspection agencies. A shrinking economy leads to layoffs which can lead to reduced efforts by those left to carry the remaining workload. This can lead to implementing short cuts that can leave out m aj or safet y st ep s t ha t sho uld never be bypassed. All-in-all, you can see where this is going. Don’t let the shrinking economy affect your company, your agency, or your responsibilities in a way that will reduce the safety of your product (or your service to the food industry). The public’s health depends on your ability to make the right decisions when it comes to product safety. No short cuts allowed! So, how do you think the shrinking economy has affected IAFP? Has it weakened us? Or, has it strengthened the organization? We feel that IAFP is as strong as or even stronger than it was prior to the world economic problems. We are very concerned fo r t h e p e o p l e s u f fe r i n g f r o m l ayo f f s o r re d u c e d i n c o m e a n d we know this has affected many IAFP Members and supporters. We are also concerned for the safety of the food supply during these turbulent times. With all the eco- 146 FOOD PROTECTION TRENDS | MARCH 2009

Food Protection Trends - March 2009

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