What new products are capturing consumer attention this year? What are the latest trends in meat and poultry products? What are consumers looking for when they walk down the grocery aisle? Discover the best new food products of 2012.

Controlling Listeria is a challenge due to the common presence and persistence of the bacteria within the environment. Examine the issues surrounding control methods, and gain experience developing appropriate sanitation protocols and testing plans for processing RTE products. Learn the latest research solutions to develop and evaluate control strategies for Listeria monocytogenes in retail delis.

Our goal is the continued reduction of workplace injuries and the prevention of fatalities associated with third-shift maintenance and sanitation operations in the meat and poultry processing industry. This comprehensive training program emphasizes the high-hazard worker exposures related to equipment and machine lockout/tagout and entry into permit-required confined spaces. We will also discuss hazards associated with walking and working surfaces, personal protective equipment, the use of high-pressure and temperature water systems, and hazard communication.

Learn to evaluate all potential options such as modernizing one piece at a time, or the whole line; building or relocating whole plants; increasing overall capacity at one location to allow for closing other locations; and a global and strategic view. Learn the process of capital equipment justification to realize operational benefits for your company.

Learn more about the food movements that are taking hold in American communities. Whether it is humane certified or locally sourced meat and poultry, consumers are looking for ways to support their local farmers and economy, reduce their carbon footprint and eat healthier.

In this compelling food safety session, researchers discuss the effectiveness of existing interventions for preventing exposure of humans to pathogenic nSTEC, specifically highlighting detection difficulties and the determent of risk.

Despite improvements, Salmonella is still a challenge. Explore the strategies for control and surveillance in poultry, beef and pork. Identify best practices to control Salmonella throughout processing. Moderated by food safety leaders, this session is a unique opportunity to share Salmonella food safety practices among all segments.

Join us for breakfast where the best of the industry will be recognized with the following annual awards: The Industry Advancement Award, The Supplier of the Year Award, The Edward C. Jones Community Service Award and The Scientific Achievement Award. * This ticketed event requires an additional fee. To attend, please add this event to your registration form.

As operations leaders aim to increase competitive advantage and profitability, packaging is an essential consideration. Packaging can be leveraged to increase margins and long-term benefits. This session explains how packaging aligns with supply chain cost reductions and sustainability strategies through practical insights and case studies.

Today s regulatory environment presents new challenges for companies just like yours. Gather the latest on key USDA regulations. Learn where agencies are focusing efforts and understand where you need to make changes to be compliant.

How have consumer food and shopping needs changed in the past few years? What are today s consumers influenced by and how do they make purchasing decisions? Hear the results of the new Power of Meat research on consumer trends and the impact the economy continues to have on meat sales.

A number of product recalls combined with intense media and regulatory scrutiny have created a perfect storm for the meat industry and changed the landscape of the marketplace. Consider the central lessons learned from a recall and examine what companies are doing today to respond to the shift in consumer desires.

Product lifecycle management is not just a buzzword in the information technology marketplace; it is a necessary strategy used to build a solid foundation for an organization s engineering communications network. Reap the benefits of product leadership and longevity and understand the importance of quick time to market.

The complexity of the fresh meat case makes it challenging to understand the consumer s purchase decision process and its implications for new product strategies. The Perishables Group will share the results of a comprehensive fresh meat consumer decision tree study. The research uncovers what s driving the consumer at the meat case, what variables influence the purchase decision, and if, how and why consumers switch between proteins. This session provides insights on how to use this understanding to shape product development strategies that will attract and satisfy customers and grow sales.

Review sanitary equipment design principles and understand how to apply the principles to various pieces of equipment. Understand how to evaluate equipment from a sanitary design perspective. Review types of interventions and how to apply these interventions to equipment with a hands-on case study.

Understand what consumers are eating. What drives their behavior and how it affects the development of healthy food products, particularly with lower sodium? Learn how processors are adding value for the consumer through products focused on providing choices for a healthy diet.

All eyes are on Washington, D.C., to see how decisions being made by the President, Congress and federal agencies will affect your strategic, operational and financial planning. When Charlie Cook makes a pronouncement based on his analysis of the political scene in America, people who want to be in the know sit up and listen. For more than two decades, he has been Washington s most trusted and most accurate voice on all things political. Get your insider s perspective on what changes to expect and how you can influence those outcomes. * This ticketed event requires an additional fee. To attend, please add this event to your registration form.