The 40th annual Refrigerated Foods Association (RFA) Conference was held at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, Florida, on February 23-26, 2020. The conference included timely presentations and outstanding networking opportunities and social events, including a service project that provided 400 kids’ packs for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
Joe Theismann, former star quarterback for the Washington Redskins and inspirational speaker, kicked off the Refrigerated Foods Association’s Annual Conference with his insightful and humorous presentation entitled “Game Plan for Success”. His motivational message received top marks from the Conference audience, which included approximately 250 attendees from across America and Canada. Joe’s message was incredibly personalized, after he took the time before the Conference to tour St. Clair Foods’ plant with Conference Chair Lauren Edmonds, and met with Conference attendees at both the Welcome Reception on Sunday and breakfast on Monday morning. Joe related his experiences on and off the field with the trials and tribulations of managing a RTE food business.
Other presenters and topics included Director of Business Development of Dot Foods, Park Plank, who spoke on “Freight, Logistics and Transportation”; Brett Bauer, Dan Burke and Jeanna Madlener of Woodruff Sawyer who discussed “Business Continuity and Risk Mitigation for the Food Industry”; Josh Oleson and Weldon Williams who addressed “Sustainability Trends in Packaging”; Jean-Yves Durocher of R3D International who spoke on “Digital Manufacturing of the Future”; and a critical Technical and Regulatory Update from RFA Technical Director, Martin Mitchell.
The annual Golf Tournament allowed avid players a chance to enjoy networking and beautiful weather at the resort’s premier course. Suppliers displayed their wares and presented money and time saving opportunities at the Tabletop Reception and during the One-on-One CEO Sessions. The closing banquet and anniversary celebration was particularly special, taking place at Universal Studios. Past Presidents and other honorary attendees were recognized at the 40th Anniversary Party.
Janet Rowat Kraiss of The Suter Company and Liliana Lawry of Packers Sanitation Services, Inc. were elected as new Board members, and George Bradford of Mrs. Stratton’s Salads; Mark Rosenfield of Reser’s Fine Foods; and William Bigelow of Blount Fine Foods were re-elected to serve 3-year terms. Bryan Westerby of The Suter Company and Venkat Munukutla of Michael Foods rotated off the Board. The RFA’s Executive Committee consists of President, Josh Knott of Knott’s Foods; Vice President, Lauren Edmonds of St. Clair Foods; Treasurer Tom Davis of Lakeview Farms; and Secretary Karen Bishop Carbone of Boston Salads & Prepared Foods.
For more information on the Refrigerated Foods Association visit the website at www.refrigeratedfoods.org or call the Association Headquarters at 678-426-8175.
