Newswise — CHICAGO – Registration is now open for IFT19: Feed Your Future in New Orleans, LA from June 2-5, 2019 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Hosted by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), IFT19 will bring together science of food professionals from around the globe to inspire and transform collective knowledge into innovative solutions that help advance the planet’s food safety, nutrition, and sustainability.

“This year’s theme, Feed Your Future, underscores the importance of professional development and collaborative thinking to help advance the science of food and solve the world’s evolving global food challenges,” said IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “Now more than ever, science of food professionals need access to the most up-to-date science, research, insights, and product development solutions to further their expertise and expand their creativity. IFT19 provides all this and more in just four discovery-packed days.”

Programming includes presentations that will cover the latest consumer trends and insights, more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific sessions covering12 topical tracks, over 600 research poster presentations and 12 pre-event short courses, including ‘Plant Proteins: Functionalities and Applications’ and ‘Labeling Requirements and Implications for Food Marketed in the U.S.’

In addition to the scientific and applied science tracks, IFT is once again offering more than twenty panel discussions and presentations on its IFTNEXT stage, including topics like ‘2020 Vision: Scientific Communication’, ‘AI for Innovation in Product Development’ and ‘Using Robotics for Safe and Sustainable Food.’ New this year, IFT19 will offer two new deep-dive tracks to better explore hot topics impacting the future of food: ‘Gut Microbiome, Nutrition, and Health’ and ‘Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainability: Science, Technology, and Policy.’

Also new this year is IFT’s Food Traceability Central, which will feature the latest advancements, technologies, and platforms being developed to address the world’s food traceability challenges. Topics explored will include: data sharing frameworks, data analytics and AI, innovations in traceability standards,blockchain advancements and more.

The IFT19 Food Expo will once again feature one of the industry’s largest and most comprehensive collections of food ingredient, equipment, processing, technology and packaging solution providers, allowing attendees to meet face-to-face with exhibiting companies and literally taste the forefront of global food trends. Attendees can expect the latest in clean label, sugar reduction, plant-based ingredients, added nutritional benefits and more.

Due to popular demand, IFTNEXT Start-Up Alley will be increasing its number exhibiting start-up companies from 16 to 24 this year. Start-Up Alley allows attendees to meet one-on-one with a select group of cutting-edge entrepreneurs who are developing innovative solutions to significant challenges facing the food industry.

IFT19 featured sessions will include:

  • The second annual IFTNEXT Food Disruption Challenge, a competition designed to help emerging and investment-ready science of food and technology companies gain visibility and make strategic connections. The live pitch event will feature five start-ups vying for the Future Food Disruptor of the Year $25,000 cash prize in front of a panel of distinguished judges representing different sectors of the food and beverage industry. Audience members at the featured session will be able to cast their vote for a $5,000 People’s Choice award.
  • Temple Grandin Ph.D., world-renowned researcher, activist and best-selling author, will explore the power of difference and how bringing together a diverse and inclusive team enables companies to become innovation leaders and trendsetters.
  • Peggy Smedley, futurist and executive editor of Connected World magazine, will moderate a panel discussion that will explore how predictive analytics and artificial intelligence are being leveraged to forecast trends into the future.

Food professionals can register online to attend IFT19 at iftevent.org. Those who register by April 19, 2019 can take advantage of discounted registration and hotel rates. IFT non-members can join IFT when they register and save up to 36 percent off the cost of registration.

Members of the media who would like to attend can view the media eligibility requirements and request media credentials here

 

About IFT
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a global organization of 17,000 individual members from more than 100 countries committed to advancing the science of food. Since 1939, IFT has brought together the brightest minds in food science, technology and related professions from academia, government, and industry to solve the world’s greatest food challenges. Our organization works to ensure that our members have the resources they need to learn, grow, and advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. We believe that science is essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. For more information, please visit ift.org.

Other Link: IFT19: Feed Your Future