Food Protection Trends - November/December 2022 - 504

OUR EXPERIENCES
By the Recipients of the IAFP 2022 Travel Award for State or Provincial Health
or Agricultural Department Employees in North America
Attending IAFP 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a recipient of the Travel Award for State or
Provincial Health or Agricultural Department Employees in North America was a great experience.
Seeing approximately 3,000 food safety professionals gathered in the same place, especially
coming out of the COVID pandemic, was truly rewarding.
The meeting afforded me the opportunity to become more involved in IAFP by attending several
PDG sessions, and I hope to become an active participant and contributor in these PDGs going
forward. There were also so many great sessions on a wide range of topics, which made it hard to
choose which to attend each day. The U.S. Regulatory Update, as well as the sessions covering
foodborne illness updates; the impact of social media influencers on food safety; and mitigating
the risks of Salmonella in food products were just a few highlights of my week. However, the best
session I attended was " Identity Matters: Building a More Inclusive Workplace for Women in Food
Safety. " It was so gratifying to see so many women and men come together to discuss this important
topic in a safe space.
Jessica Danzeisen
Saint Paul, Minnesota
One of my favorite parts of the week was volunteering at the IAFP Foundation Booth where I
was able to interact with so many people making their donations and witness the generosity that
provides for travel awards and other programs each year. My other favorite part of the week was
getting to meet my mentor in person, Kirsten Larson, with the Association of Public Health Laboratories, after having been on
previous virtual meetings together and being introduced to her APHL Food Safety coworkers!
I would like to thank the IAFP Foundation for their support and the opportunity to attend the Annual Meeting this year!
Erica Jones
Atlanta, Georgia
I was given the honor of being selected as a recipient of IAFP's Travel Award for State or
Provincial Health or Agricultural Department Employees in North America. As a first-time attendee
and member of IAFP, I was intrigued and " wowed " by the support, opportunities, engagement,
and presentations. I met the Affiliate Council Chairperson, Wendy White, from Georgia, as well as
IAFP Secretary Mark Carter. They were engaging and knowledgeable. I had the opportunity to engage
with many interesting individuals and company representatives and to attend seminars from
the USDA, FDA, and State experts on topics ranging from Sanitation, Outbreaks, Inspections,
Regulations, and Microbiology. It was pleasant to witness so many individuals working to do their
part in protecting our global food supply. It was refreshing to be among like-minded individuals,
bouncing ideas and learning from their experiences and expertise in multiple areas, connecting via
LinkedIn. It provided a direct correlation to my background and experiences and provided me with a
roadmap for future longevity in the field of food safety. I was able to share my experiences via an
interview with the onsite camera team, and the lead person was inviting, calming, and super easy
to speak with. It is my hope that my experience is provoking to others.
My absolute favorite part of the Annual Meeting was " Building a More Inclusive Workplace
for Women in Food Safety. " The women created a safe space for others to share their experiences and provided recommendations
and sound advice on how to navigate the food safety world. It is my intention to take that nugget and create something
similar within GDOA. This conference has been magical - an experience I will remember for years to come.
I enjoyed volunteering at the IAFP Foundation Booth. It was fun to be a part of raising funds for another awardee to experience
this wonderful occasion. The booth allows you to be at the heart of everything. I enjoyed walking the Exhibit Hall and
speaking with many multi-faceted companies such as Romer Labs, who provided much insight on their contributions to food
safety. There is so much to experience and quench your thirst for knowledge. Such a diverse group of individuals, some of who
have been members for 50 years! The IAFP team, mentors, exhibitors, and attendees did their part in making this experience
unforgettable. I am most honored and grateful for the opportunity.
IAFP Foundation and Selection Committee Members: Thank you for selecting me! I am excited to share and encourage my
colleagues to attend future IAFP meetings and apply for this award.
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504 Food Protection Trends November/December

Food Protection Trends - November/December 2022

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