commentary
SMA
SMA MEAT Forum:
Where meat industry leaders meet
The event draws meat and food industry professionals from across all levels of leadership.
SMA
By Lacy Bates
Formerly recognized as SMA’s Mid-Year Conference, the M.E.A.T. Forum has evolved into a premier educational event for meat and food industry professionals across all levels of leadership. This dynamic forum brings together top-tier meat industry experts to address a broad spectrum of timely and relevant topics. With engaging presentations and meaningful audience interaction, attendees gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping their businesses. Widely regarded as an essential gathering for industry leaders, the M.E.A.T. Forum is one event you won’t want to miss.
Event details
The 2026 M.E.A.T. Forum will take place on February 18–19, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. Participation is open to all industry professionals, regardless of SMA membership. The program features two half-day general sessions designed to maximize engagement and deliver high-value content:
- Wednesday, Feb. 18 – General Session 1: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, followed by a Networking Reception from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
- Thursday, Feb. 19 – General Session 2: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Topics to be discussed
The combination of excellent speakers and audience interaction will cover issues and updates affecting day-to-day production for meat and food industry businesses. Program highlights will feature topics such as:
Gain insights from FSIS Administrator, Dr. Justin Ransom as he presents his strategic plan for “Strong People, Smart Systems, Safe Food,” designed to strengthen workforce capabilities and enhance food safety systems.
Stay informed with Regulatory and Legal Updates from OFW Law, featuring the latest developments on labeling claims, the Salmonella Framework, and other key compliance issues.
Explore Workplace Issues with longtime SMA friend, David Barron of Cozen O’Connor, who will provide critical updates on employment law impacting the industry.
Delve into Market Analysis with Dr. David Anderson, Agricultural Economics Professor at Texas A&M University, offering an in-depth commodity forecast and hopefully unraveling the complexity of today’s market.
Understand Consumer Psychology and Meat Case Purchase Decisions with Dr. Marco Palma of Texas A&M University, examining labeling trends, visual cues, and the decision-making process at the meat case.
Learn best practices for Building Effective Co-Packing Relationships from industry veteran Richard Riccardi, including strategies for drafting strong contracts and avoiding common pitfalls.
Conclude with the FSIS Q&A Session, where the FSIS Dallas District team will address questions and share the latest regulatory updates.
This year’s M.E.A.T. Forum is proudly supported by SMA associate member companies, including Versacor Managed Pest Solutions, Handtmann, Multivac, Painters USA, Analytical Food Laboratories, and Amcor. These businesses demonstrate innovation in areas such as pest management, processing equipment, packaging solutions, and food safety analytics, all of which are critical components in running an efficient meat business. Attendees are encouraged to stop by each company’s table during the event’s networking reception.
Additional sponsorship opportunities remain available. Sponsorship packages offer high-impact engagement with key stakeholders, including plant operation executives, FSQA managers, and business owners. For details on sponsorship, please contact the SMA Office.
The M.E.A.T Forum is a “must attend” conference for many industry leaders and one you don’t want to miss. More information and registration can be found here.
Opening photo credit: Getty Images / skynesher
