The American Association of Meat Processors is celebrating the 80^th anniversary of its annual convention by taking the event to Alabama. The 80th American Convention of Meat Processors & Suppliers’ Exhibition will be held in the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel and Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center in Mobile, Ala. from July 25-27. The annual combination of a trade show, cured meats competition, educational opportunity and party promises to deliver a memorable event this year.

The event kicks off with a pre-convention workshop with the German Butchers’ Association (DFV) on July 24. AAMP and the DFV have established a cordial relationship thanks to their collaboration in bringing the IFFA Quality Competition to the United States within the last three years. At the AAMP Convention, DFV representatives and members of the national team of the German Butchers’ Association will host a variety of topics and demonstrations, including: sausage making; presentation of a service counter in German butcher shops; examples of a weekly routine in a typical German butchery; latest German trends in party service and catering, and consumer safety & safeguarding operations. Alternately, AAMP will host a day-long excursion to Pensacola Beach. There are separate costs to each event, except for children 12 and under for the beach trip.

The educational sessions for the Convention have been planned by a committee of meat industry participants. The sessions offer a wide variety of practical information, manufacturing solutions and business enhancement ideas. The keynote speaker will be Paul Kiecker, Deputy Administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Kiecker’s career with FSIS spans 30 years. In his current and past roles, Kiecker will continue his dedication to a robust public health vision that has guided him to overcome obstacles, identify opportunities for improvement, efficiently manage resources, and achieve food safety objectives to prevent foodborne illness.

Education sessions held throughout the event will include discussions on humane handling, federal regulations, insurance issues, private labeling and more. Gary Crane of Ralph’s Packing and Floyd Poche’ of Floyd Poche’ Enterprises will offer a demonstration of Cajun-style cooking.

Along with the seminars, a full trade show will also await Convention attendees. The show floor will be available to help processors find the latest equipment to speed up their operations or supplies that can improve the quality of their products. The Annual Cured Meats Competition is a perennial favorite, as some of the leading small meat processors from across the country enter their top products in more than 30 cured meats category.

For more information about the show, including hotel information and registration information, visit www.aamp.com.