Dairy Processing - May/June 2022 - 56

MEETING PREVIEW
A showcase of firsts
IFT's annual show returns with rebrand and a number of new features.
by Benton Smith | bsmith@sosland.com
W
hen the Institute of Food Technologists'
annual event and expo returns to an in-person
experience for the first time in two years July 1013
in Chicago, the trade show's IFT FIRST rebrand will be far
from the only update to the activities.
At IFT FIRST - an acronym derived from Food Improved
by Research, Science and Technology - numerous features
will explore this year's theme, " Hacking the Food Supply: Can
We Synthesize a More Sustainable Future? "
Melodie Anderson, director of meeting and exhibit
experiences at IFT, said programming throughout the show
will address that important question with the latest science,
insights, research and industry solutions. She said the 18,000
expected attendees can look forward to more discussions and
fewer lectures, as well as more debates with shorter sessions.
In fact, this year's event will open with a debate. Industry
experts will weigh in with their stances when posed with the
question, " Should we eat more processed foods? " The session
is expected to deliver a lively examination of the pros and
cons that come with food processing.
Following two consecutive annual IFT shows that were
completely virtual due to the pandemic, IFT FIRST will be a
hybrid event, catering to both online and in-person attendees.
" We will live stream the featured sessions and keynotes,
from the Business FIRST stage and Live from IFT FIRST, an
56 MAY-JUN 2022 | DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
anchor desk of sorts, " Anderson said. " IFT FIRST is the place
where transformational partnerships begin. "
Anderson said another aspect of the reformed schedule
is a NASA research and development panel, featuring
former astronaut Dr. Scott Parazynski. She also highlighted
that startups and investors will be able to observe panel
discussions on a number of topics through IFT's Business
FIRST programming, which will cover careers in food
tech, supply chain challenges, tackling food waste, shifting
consumer demands and more.
" With our reimagined programming, gone are the days of
sitting in a conference room, listening to speaker after speaker
talk at you, " Anderson said. " This year's theme, 'Hacking the
Food Supply: Can We Synthesize a More Sustainable Future?'
promises to ignite conversations with your colleagues and peers. "
After the panels, debates and expo wrap up for the day on
Monday, July 11, IFT's newly devised Social Hopper Pass will
provide attendees with unlimited access to a number of social
receptions and resource groups at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
Many portions of this year's program will cover
topics pertinent to the dairy industry. Anderson said the
programming includes numerous on-demand sessions
specific to dairy, including: " How Consumers Perceive
Dairy Sustainability: Facts and Fiction, " " Cold Chain Food
Logistics, " " Building a Sustainable Supply Chain, " " A World
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Dairy Processing - May/June 2022

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