Institute of Food Technologists Student Association
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IFTSA Annual Meeting and Food Expo Information and Highlights

This year, the IFT Annual Meeting and Food Expo will be in New Orleans, Louisiana from June 28 - July 1, 2008. Mark your calendars now! Please note that event dates and times are tentative and are subject to change. Visit this website regularly to keep informed of any changes that may occur. Read on to find out where to stay and what to do during your time in New Orleans.

Student Hotel

For the 2008 Annual Meeting and Food Expo, the Hotel Monteleone has been designated as the student hotel. Be sure to register early to get the discounted rate and a guaranteed room!

Highlighted Events

IFT Student Association Booth (and Lounge…  NEW this year!): The booth will be in the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, near Registration in Lobby H, and is a popular gathering place for students and members. Be sure to stop by and pick up your brochure of IFTSA events.  The lounge (room 281) is new this year and designated specifically for students… come and visit!

Educational Opportunities (see the Scientific Program portion of this directory for more information):

Session 35: Information for Food Scientists: the Good, the Free and the Paid For: This workshop is designed to help students navigate the growing number of information resources available today as well as publishing and copyright issues.  The symposium is co-sponsored by IFIS and will be held Sunday, June 29, 2:00-3:30PM, in room 296… refreshments included!

Sessions 188 & 198: Career Development 101 & 102: Getting and Keeping your Dream Job and What’s Next for Me After Graduation: Let an industry professional advise you on the interview process, accepting your first job and negotiating your first salary and benefits package.  Part one will be held Tuesday, July 1, 2:00 – 3:30PM, in room 296.  In part two, a panel of food science professionals representing academia, industry, government and the private sector will be on hand to talk about their career choices and answer questions to assist you in making your career decisions. Part two will be held immediately following, from 4:00 – 5:30PM.

Session 117: Diversity and Multinational Teams in the Food Industry and Academia: This symposium is co-sponsored by the International Division and features international speakers who will present on their experience related to leadership in the global environment.  It will be held Monday, June 30, from 4:00 – 5:30PM, in room 283.

Career Fair: How can you get the attention of employers and build your contact base?  Come to the Career Fair on Saturday, June 28, from 12:00 – 5:30PM, in the IFT Employment Bureau.  This will be your opportunity to meet with representatives from some of the world’s top food companies and gain valuable networking experience.  No appointment necessary.

IFT Student Association Mixer and Chapter of the Year Display: The Mixer, sponsored by PepsiCo, will be held from 6:00-7:00PM on Monday, June 30, at the Hilton Hotel, Grand AB. Meet and mingle with other students and professionals while viewing the Chapter of the Year displays. The IFTSA acknowledges the generous support of PepsiCo for sponsoring the Mixer and Chapter of the Year Competition.

IFT Student Association Welcome Assembly: The Welcome Assembly will be held at 7:00PM at the Hilton Hotel, Grand CD, immediately following the Mixer. It will feature an introduction of IFTSA leadership and presentation of awards; including Chapter of the Year and Most Improved Chapter, Product Development Competition winners, Fun Run winners and recognition of the Excellence in Leadership Award recipients, sponsored by Campbell’s.

Professional Development Oral Sessions (Session 029, 046, 090, 116, 129, 171, 196, 210): These sessions are designed to give students, who are presenting posters, experience presenting orally and feedback to refine their presentation skills. Topics to be covered include: Refrigerated and frozen foods, carbohydrates, fermented foods and beverages, food chemistry, food engineering, food microbiology, fruit and vegetable products, nonthermal processing, nutraceuticals and functional foods, toxicology and safety evaluation, food packaging and dairy foods.  See the Scientific Program portion of this directory for more information.

IFT Student Association Party: Don’t miss the IFTSA Party, Tuesday, July 1, from 7:00 to 9:00PM.  It will be an informal event that brings students together to network and have fun! The event will be held near Bourbon Street and is sure to be a good time.  Stop by the Student Association booth for more information.

IFTSA Competitions

Product Development Competition (Session 002): Based on preliminary reports, the following teams were chosen as finalists in the Product Development Competition sponsored by Mars, Inc.  Mars provided travel grants to each of the following teams:

  • Cornell – Tranquili Tea
  • Michigan State – Ready-to-Dough!
  • Ohio State – FruitZicle
  • Univ. of Illinois – Dream Pie Bars
  • Univ. of Minnesota – Ediballs
  • Virginia Tech – Banana Splitters

Oral presentations will be from 11:00 to 2:00PM on Sunday, June 29, at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, room 283.  Product posters will be displayed from 8:30 to Noon on Monday, June 30, in Hall 1-2.  Winners will be announced at the IFTSA Welcome Assembly on Monday night where Mars will present the winning teams with their prizes.

College Bowl Competition: Come cheer on your team at the 23rd Food Science and Technology College Bowl Competition,  partially sponsored by General Mills, immediately following the Welcome Assembly in the Hilton Hotel, Grand CD. The eight teams receiving a travel grant and competing in the finals will be: The Ohio State University (Midwest), University of Georgia (Southeast), Texas A & M University (South Central), Cornell University (North Atlantic), North Carolina State University (Central Atlantic), University of Nebraska (North Central), Brigham Young University (Mountain West), and University of Idaho (Pacific West).

Graduate Research Paper Competition (Session 149): Finalists in the Graduate Research Paper Competition will present their papers on Tuesday, July 1, from 8:30 - 10:00AM, in room 296.  Winners will be announced at the Phi Tau Sigma Awards Reception Tuesday evening, from 5:30 – 6:30PM, in the Morial Convention Center, room 244.

Undergraduate Research Paper Competition (Session 166): Finalists in the Undergraduate Research Paper Competition, sponsored by E. & J. Gallo Winery, will present their papers on Tuesday from 10:30AM to 12:00PM, in the Morial Convention Center, room 296.  Winners will be announced at the Phi Tau Sigma Awards Reception on Tuesday evening.

How to Get Funding for AMFE

  1. Session Monitor
    Funding: Free meeting registration; Complimentary, quad-occupancy shared room during the meeting.
    Job description: Monitor three half-day IFT sessions, including but not limited to: technical sessions, video theaters, poster sessions, symposia, IFT Awards Celebration, etc. (as assigned by IFT); and attend the Monitor orientation.
    Details: Visit the     Session Monitor Page for more information.
  2. Student-as-Exhibitors
    Funding: Funding will vary depending on company, however, exhibiting companies have been encouraged to give either a lump-sum payment of approximately $300, or to provide accommodations in during the conference.
    Job description: Work for an exhibiting company in their booth during the Food Expo for approximately 15 hours. Students will be requested to help with tasks such as preparing and/or serving food, running errands, distributing literature, conducting surveys, etc.
    Details: Visit the Student-as-Exhibitors Page for more information.
  3. Incoming IFTSA Chapter (Food Science Club) Presidents Training
    Funding: Incoming Chapter Presidents will receive $500 after attending all training sessions during the annual meeting.
    Job description: The program consists of 4 days of formal and informal programming and discussion targeted to help Chapter Presidents develop as student leaders and to equip them with tools to take back to their local university Food Science Club (IFTSA Chapter) for recruitment of new members into IFTSA and their club, and development of new leaders at the campus level.
    Details: More information is posted at www.iftsa.org.
  4. Section or Division Scholarships
    Funding: Funding will vary between local sections and divisions; see www.ift.org or their individual webpage for more information.
  5. Competition Finalist
    Funding: Funding will vary between competitions (Product development, College Bowl, & Graduate and Undergraduate Paper Competition); see www.iftsa.org for more information.
  6. IFTSA Officer or Chair & IFT Committee Representative
    Funding: Funding will vary between positions; see the Nominations and Elections website at www.iftsa.org (available yearly, November - January) for more information.

Event Sponsors

IFTSA would like to sincerely thank and acknowledge all of the companies that have contributed to events and competitions at AMFE. Without their help, many of the events IFTSA holds would not be possible!

  • Campbell's
  • E.J. Gallo Winery
  • General Mills
  • Masterfoods
  • PepsiCo
Last Updated: April 17, 2008 * www.IFT.org * Problems with the website? Contact the webmaster.