Midwest Food Processors Association: Food processors annual convention features full program, outstanding speakers

Contact: Nick George, President

608-255-9946

Nick.George@mwfpa.org

Brian Elliott

Dir. of Communications

608-255-9946

Brian.Elliott@mwfpa.org

The Midwest Food Processors Association (MWFPA) 106th Annual Convention and 83rd Food Processing Crops Conference, one of the largest and most established food processing gatherings in the Midwest, will be held Tuesday, November 30, 2010 through Thursday, December 2, 2010 at the Green Bay, Wisconsin, KI Convention Center.


This two and a half day event features a full program of educational seminars, high level industry and government keynote speakers, break-out sessions, networking events and a resource-rich trade show exhibition with over 125 exhibitors. 


“Each year, the convention provides food processors, growers, suppliers, government, and academic professionals from the Midwest a forum to learn from expert speakers, exchange ideas, find solutions to current industry challenges and engage in networking opportunities” said Nick George, MWFPA President.

In addition to offering educational sessions with noted industry experts, this year’s convention will offer the insights of keynote speaker Elizabeth Pivonka, president of Produce For Better Health.  A registered dietitian, with a doctorate in food and nutrition science, she has focused on collaborative industry/government/non-profit efforts to increase fruit and vegetable consumption for better health. She will discuss current consumer trends, the President’s obesity agenda, and efforts to get Americans to eat healthier.


Also scheduled to address the convention are former Green Bay Packer and motivational speaker Santana Dotson and Dr. Jay Lehr. Lehr, a futurist and economist, utilizes five decades of experience in agricultural economics, agronomy, environmental science and business administration to look into the future of American agriculture. Rounding out the convention will be Chicago comedian Tim Walkoe who recently won the America’s Funniest People award. 

An “All Industry Reception” will be held the evening of November 30th in the Lambeau Field Atrium. In addition to the reception, the convention will include the MWFPA board of directors meeting; a meeting of the American Fruit and Vegetable Processor and Grower Coalition; an optional tour of Lambeau Field; “Chairman’s Reception”; a dance, cash prize drawings and a big screen TV raffle.

“The ‘All Industry’ reception is an excellent opportunity for members to network and provide additional information about company products and services in a one-on-one setting,” added George.

Attendees can tailor their conference experiences by choosing from compelling breakout sessions that include:

* Thermal Processing
* Federal Legislation & the Food Processing Industry
* Social Media and Customer Service
* Turning Waste Stream into Revenue Stream
* OSHA Compliance Directives
* Biomass Boilers in the Food Industry
* Using Performance Competencies to Drive Organization Results

The 83rd Annual Processing Crops Conference, held in conjunction with the convention, takes place on Tuesday November 30 and Wednesday December 1st. It offers an in-depth look at the raw products side of the food processing industry.  Agricultural researchers from the universities of Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin join food processors and seed-industry representatives to tackle the latest crop-growing challenges in the Midwest. 

Online registration for MWFPA Annual Convention will be open until November 24th. To register, or for more information, visit http://www.mwfpa.org