Newswise — CHICAGO—Food professionals from all over the globe will be gathering together in Las Vegas for the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) 2012 Annual Meeting & Food Expo. This is the only annual event that brings together professionals involved in both the science and the business of food — experts from industry, academia and government. With more than 900 companies exhibiting, this event showcases the largest, most diverse collection of food ingredient, equipment, and packaging suppliers from all over the world. Over 100 educational sessions and 1,000+ poster sessions provide information on the latest developments and trends in food science. IFT’s Annual Meeting and Food Expo was named in the Top 250 by the Trade Show News Network, as well as being awarded Trade Show Executive’s Gold 100 Ranking of the Largest Shows of 2011.

View the video to see why people are going to the IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo.

When & Where: June 25-28, 2012Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

What: Keynote Session: “The Importance of Innovation,” will feature Starbucks president, CEO and chairman, Howard Schultz, who was named Fortune magazine’s 2011 “Businessperson of the Year.” He will share insights on the importance of scientific innovation in creating thriving companies and communities, and filling the talent pipeline.

ADDITIONAL SESSION HIGHLIGHTS:• Childhood Obesity Solutions: What Industry Can Do • Food Science, Nutrition, and the Skin • Functional Foods of Latin America: Flavor, Health Benefits, and Opportunities for Commercialization • Specialized Nutrition: Opportunities in Medical Foods and Beyond for Aging, Developing, and Other Specialized Populations • The Future of GRAS Ingredients and Food Additives: Impacts of the Changing Environment on Food Science• Breakfast in the 21st Century• Improving the Safety of Fresh Produce

Additional sessions presented from the following areas:

Food Safety & DefenseFood Processing & PackagingProduct Development & Ingredient InnovationsPublic Policy, Food Laws & RegulationsEducation and Professional DevelopmentSensory ScienceFood, Health & NutritionSustainabilityFood ChemistryFood MicrobiologyFood Engineering

SOCIAL MEDIA:• Follow the IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo on ift.org/IFT12, Twitter @IFT, hashtag #IFT12 and Facebook. • Follow the Institute of Food Technologists on Twitter @IFT, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

REGISTRATION:

• Advance registration discount ends May 14th: http://www.am-fe.ift.org/cms/?pid=1000642 • Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the media: http://www.am-fe.ift.org/cms/?pid=1000495

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Mindy Weinstein, 312-604-0231, @IFTMedia

Stephanie Callahan, IFT Media Relations Specialist, 312-604-0273, @IFTFoodieFacts

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About IFT The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a nonprofit scientific society. Our individual members are professionals engaged in food science, food technology, and related professions in industry, academia, and government. IFT's mission is to advance the science of food, and our long-range vision is to ensure a safe and abundant food supply, contributing to healthier people everywhere.

For more than 70 years, the IFT has been unlocking the potential of the food science community by creating a dynamic global forum where members from more than 100 countries can share, learn, and grow. We champion the use of sound science across the food value chain through the exchange of knowledge, by providing education, and by furthering the advancement of the profession. IFT has offices in Chicago, Illinois and Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit ift.org.