Food Protection Trends - November/December 2024 - 440

IAFP 2024 IN REVIEW
IAFP once again had a videography team onsite to film footage of
beautiful Long Beach and capture thousands of photos of attendees,
exhibitors, and events in action. Short videos and interviews
were also conducted with a variety of professionals and students
throughout the conference who provided candid responses on food
safety-related questions. Student Members shared their experiences
and spoke about their educational opportunities gained by
attending. These videos and others, including the Opening Session;
the John H. Silliker Lecture; and the Awards Banquet, are posted
on the IAFP Annual Meeting website page, along with other videos
scheduled for future promotions.
After a full day of Committee and PDG meetings, Sunday evening's
Opening Session brought together a ballroom filled with attendees
for the official kick-off of IAFP 2024. President Tim Jackson officially
welcomed attendees to Long Beach and his home state, and shared
comments on his second term serving as the Association's President.
He also recognized the various groups who helped produce this year's
Annual Meeting.
Student Research Exchange Program. Since an additional $60,000 is
necessary to consistently support these programs, the Foundation
will need a base fund of approximately $4,000,000 to generate this
level of spending. As an added incentive, Gary then announced that
two long-time IAFP Members, Fred Weber and Tori Stivers (along with
her husband, David), were generously challenging donors - either inperson
or online - throughout IAFP 2024 with two matching funds of
$10,000 each, helping meet this year's goal of $60,000. And for added
fun, a photo booth would be set up beside the Foundation Booth
for Sunday evening only after the Opening Session. Attendees were
encouraged to stop by to make their donation, select from a variety
of funny props, and pose for photos. Again, those who donate at
least $50 will also receive the eleventh in a series of commemorative
coins to add to their collection. Throughout the meeting, all of this
year's Travel Award recipients would take part volunteering at the
Foundation Booth, visiting with Members and explaining how they
have benefited from the educational programs supported by the
Foundation. IAFP is thrilled to announce that more than $56,000 was
donated throughout the meeting, easily exceeding the two matching
fund challenges!
President Jackson asked Gary Acuff, Foundation Chair, to report on
the Foundation's goals and accomplishments over the past year.
Foundation contributions through May 2024 were at just over $53,000,
which will continue to help fund many of the valuable programs
offered for our Members. Gary mentioned several new programs
that the Foundation has funded or plans to fund in the upcoming
months, including the Dependent Care Grant created in 2023; the
IAFP Europe Food Safety Award presented at the 2024 European
Symposium; a Professional Development grant; and an International
440 Food Protection Trends November/December
President Jackson returned to the stage to announce this year's
recipient of the Peanut Proud academic scholarship, which IAFP is
proud to promote. Darlene Cowart, Corporate Food Safety Director for
Birdsong Peanuts (and representing Peanut Proud), presented Shihyu
Chuang from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with this year's
Food Protection Trends - November/December 2024

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