AAMP
plans full agenda and expo floor
aamp convention
A packed agenda and exposition floor await attendees of the American Association of Meat Processors’ 83rd American Convention of Meat Processors & Suppliers’ Exhibition.
“The trade show booth space is completely sold out,” AAMP Communications Manager Sam Gazdziak said. "Many of our processor members are looking to grow, either with new equipment purchases or expansions. We are anticipating a busy show floor, with attendees looking for capital investments to help take them to the next level."
The trade show and accompanying educational sessions and social events will take place July 14-16 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.
"The best part of our convention is that it serves as a reunion of friends and colleagues, not competitors,” Gazdziak said. “Attendees here are always willing to share processing or business tips.”
The pre-gaming kicks off on Wednesday, July 13, with a pre-convention bus tour from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring three charter buses that will make stops at the following AAMP members' meat processing plants:
- Stanhope Locker & Market (Stanhope)
- Story City Locker (Story City)
- Dayton Meat Products (Malcom)
- Ulrich Meat Market (Pella)
- In't Veld's Meat Market (Pella).
Lunch will be provided during the tour. That evening, AAMP President Dwight Ely and First Lady Susan Ely will host guests from 6-8 p.m. at the Presidents' Welcome Reception at the Iowa Hall of Pride. All are welcome to attend.
From there, the AAMP convention will take place Thursday through Saturday, with social and educational sessions joining the trade show floor and its 262 booths, offering attendees plenty to take in.
On Thursday, July 14, the Welcome Session will feature keynote speaker Dr. Gordon Davis. Afterward, processors can check in products for the American Cured Meat Championships. Several breakout sessions will take place, and then the trade show will be open for several hours in the afternoon. Travel to Ames, Iowa, for the evening event at Jack Trice Stadium on the campus of Iowa State University. Dinner will be provided (tickets are required).
Friday, July 15, starts with a Virtual Plant Tour followed by the trade show and a demonstration, “What to do with your Ham Year-Round.”
Saturday, July 16, begins with the ACMC Awards and AAMP’s induction of new member(s) into the Cured Meats Hall of Fame. The business meeting will follow, and the trade show will conclude mid-afternoon along with A Bull Session, "Working Smarter, Not Harder.” That evening, the Closing Banquet will include the Achievement and Accomplishment Awards presentation along with the installation of the new board.
For more information about the event, call AAMP at 717-367-1168 or email niki@aamp.com. Additional information is also available at www.aamp.com.
Processor members will be looking to grow with new equipment purchases or expansions during 2022’s event.
By Fred Wilkinson,
MANAGING EDITOR
Wednesday, July 13, 2022
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pre-Convention Bus Tour
Depart from Hilton Des Moines Downtown Lobby. Lunch will be provided. Cost: $50 per person.
6-8 p.m. President’s Welcome Reception
Location: Iowa Hall of Pride, Iowa Events Center
President’s Welcome Reception in the Iowa Hall of Pride at the Iowa Events Center with AAMP President Dwight Ely for all convention attendees, with refreshments provided.
(All sessions at the Iowa Events Center)
8-9:30 a.m. Welcoming Session
Opening remarks by AAMP President Dwight Ely along with the presentation of the F.W. Witt Supplier of the Year Award and the Stephen F. Krut Scholarship Award. After the awards presentation, hear from Keynote Speaker Dr. Gordon Davis.
9:30-10:30 a.m. State Officers’ Conference
This annual meeting gives AAMP’s affiliated meat trade associations the opportunity to discuss industry topics and get acquainted with other officers.
10:30-11:30 a.m. Session: Building the Perfect Processed Meat Flavor
Bruce Armstrong of LifeSpice will discuss how to build the perfect flavor starting with a foundation of salt, sugar and black pepper, then adding layers to build the ‘It Flavor’ that gives the perfect tasting experience.
10:30 -11:30 a.m. Session: A Better Understanding of Return on Investment
In this session, speakers Jon Froling of ScottPec and Tony Crowe of Iowa State University/CIRAS will help you understand the return on investment possible from buying new equipment, investing in training and employee retention, financing new product development, or advertising, or building/updating your website.
10:3011:30 a.m. Session: Legal Issues
F.W. Witt Supplier of the Year for 2021 Rick Alaniz of Alaniz Law & Associates has been helping the meat industry for decades. In this session, he will discuss legal issues your business needs to know about.
11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Session: AAMP & NMPAN Update
In this session, AAMP’s Diana Dietz and Nelson Gaydos will join Rebecca Thistlethwaite of NMPAN to go over some of programs AAMP and NMPAN provide their members.
11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Session: Salmonella & Carcass Intervention
Speaker Steve Larson of Arm & Hammer Animal Food Production will discuss the many effective interventions commercially available for reducing Salmonella on meat.
11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Session: Legal Issues
Rick Alaniz discusses meat industry legal issues.
1-4:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open
Location: Iowa Events Center
6:-9 p.m. Thursday Night Event
Travel to in Ames, Iowa, for dinner and drinks at the Sukup Endzone Club at Jack Trice Stadium, home of the Iowa State University Cyclone football team. After dinner, stroll through the adjacent Reiman Gardens. Tickets cost $25 per adult, $10 per child for ages 5-11 and is free for children 4 and under. Charter buses will transport guests from the Hilton lobby, departing at 5:30 p.m. but will not offer continuous service. There is plenty of parking for the event as well.
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Friday, July 15, 2022
(All sessions to be held at the Iowa Events Center)
8-9:30 a.m. Session: Virtual Plant Tour
Join tour guides Terry Kerns of Edgwood Locker, Dwight Ely of Ely Farm Products and Ryan Schmidt of Schmidts’ Meat Market as they show you around their operations in Iowa, Pennsylvania and Minnesota.
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open
Location: Iowa Events Center
10:30-11:30 a.m. Kid’s Activity: Decorate a Piggy Bank
Children of all ages are welcome to come create their own piggy bank.
11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Session: What to do with your Ham Year-Round Demo
Presenters Mark Reynolds of Country Meat Shop, Tim Haen of Haen Meat Packing, Mike Sloan of Hermann Wurst Haus, John Tiefenthaler of Tiefenthaler Quality Meats and Dennis Schaardt of Den’s Country Meats will demonstrate several ideas they use in their operations that you can put into practice in your business.
Saturday, July 16, 2022
(All sessions to be held at the Iowa Events Center)
7:30-10 a.m. ACMC Awards
Grand Champion, Reserved Grand Champion, Champion and Reserve Champion plaques will be awarded in 29 classes, including the 2022 Featured Class of Flavored Bacon. The Clarence Knebel Best of Show award and the Cured Meat Excellence Award also will be announced, along with candidates selected for induction into the Cured Meats Hall of Fame.
Business Meeting
Join AAMP’s leadership for a discussion about elections to AAMP’s Board of Directors and a critical report on the state of the small plant operator in the meat and poultry industry. The following honors will be presented at this session: Best Single Booth Award, Best Multiple Booth Award, and the Golden Cleaver Awards.
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall Open
Location: Iowa Events Center
1:45-2:45 p.m. Bull Session – Working Smarter, Not Harder
Presenters AAMP Immediate Past President Rick Reams, John Tiefenthaler of Tiefenthaler Quality Meats and Brian Engle of Pioneer Meats will cover many questions impacting your business today.
5-6 p.m. Cocktail Reception
Hilton Des Moines Downtown
6-9 p.m. Banquet
Hilton Des Moines Downtown
The Closing Banquet will be in the Cloud Ballroom at the Hilton and will conclude the annual convention. The Achievement and Accomplishment Awards will be presented, and the Grand Prize winner will be drawn. The Grand Prize is a trip for two to the 2023 American Convention of Meat Processors & Suppliers’ Exhibition in Charleston, S.C.
