The Food Safety Consortium will take place October 20-22, 2024, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington VA directly across the Potomic River from  Washington, DC. This year’s conference is co-located with the Cannabis Quality Conference. The Program starts with several pre-conference workshops and training which leads into two full days of high-level panel discussions and educational presentations.

Use the interactive Agenda below. 1) Click on the session title and see a detailed description of the session along with the speakers and panelists. 2) Use the Tag filter to narrow down your search of topics.

Organized by Food Safety Tech and the American Frozen Foods Institute (AFFI) the Food Safety Consortium Conference has been an educational and networking event since 2012 for Food Protection that has food safety, food integrity and food defense as the foundation of the educational content of the program.

Make it Conference to Remember! Bring the Family, enjoy the sights of our nation's capital and prepared to be wowed by the learning opportunities.

Agenda
Sunday, October 20
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
During this 1/2-day workshop, attendees will gain insights on a groundbreaking approach to environmental monitoring, specifically targeting Lm, designed to address the deficiencies of traditional methods.
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
This 20-hour workshop focuses on the maintenance and continuous improvement of effective Food Safety HACCP Programs.
This 4-part series is designed to provide the knowledge, behaviors and technical skills attributed to a competent food safety auditor.
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
This 1 day course will provide participants with the knowledge to implement the requirements of conducting a vulnerability assessment under the Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration (IA) regulation of the FDA.
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Join us for a 1/2 day enlightening workshop session as we delve into the revolutionary world of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies and their pivotal role in advancing food safety efforts.
Join us for a 1/2 day interactive workshop where we delve into the intricacies of root cause analysis and its pivotal role in determining the causes of adverse food safety events.
Monday, October 21
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM
Join us to set intentions for what you are able to give and what you want to receive while at Food Safety Consortium
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Update from Jim Jones, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods at FDA. Attendees will gain an overview of FDA’s new human food program, the combination of policy development and inspection personnel.
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Hear from Erik Mettler, Assistant Commissioner for Partnerships and Policy within the Office of Regulatory Affairs on FDA's progress and developments in Recalls, Traceability, Public/Private Partnerships, One Help and One Workforce
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
This session will feature regulatory, technology, and industry experts as they discuss successes, challenges, and key learnings associated with the preparation and execution of compliance efforts
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
With the compliance deadline for FDA’s Food Traceability Rule, FSMA 204, rapidly approaching, it’s crucial to assess your readiness. Andrew Kennedy, a key architect of the FSMA 204 rule while at FDA, offers a strategic road map for compliance
In this presentation, industry expert and food safety sleuth Tracy Fink will open her case files and share the latest best practices in identifying, mitigating, and controlling biofilm formation in foods and facilities.
This presentation will discuss how to truly understand a risk and effectively evaluate it. We will review examples of effective and not so effective risk management programs and share best practices.
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
What a PCQI needs to consider to meet expectations for justifying the use of allergen advisory labels. This is important because FDA and international governments are increasingly expecting scientific justification for the use of allergen advisory labels.
This presentation explores the multifaceted realm of digital transformation within food companies, highlighting the challenges they face, the opportunities they can seize, and the profound implications of this ongoing shift.
An in-depth look at the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 regarding nonconforming work and corrective actions.
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
This panel will cover common issues faced by both suppliers and retailers when it comes to safeguarding the entire food supply chain.
If the mention of CTEs, KDEs, TLCs, and the FTL cause you stress or uncertainties, this session is for you. We discuss the who, what, when, why, and how of the Traceability Rule to help ensure you’re ready for January 2026
This presentation goes beyond the basics of maintaining and improving existing Food Safety Plans to enhance food safety and help companies avoid common findings during FDA or third party audit visits
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM
This presentation will use information from PAS 96, Guide to Protecting and Defending Food and Drink from Deliberate Attack, and real-life examples to provide insights and guidance when completing/reviewing your VACCP and TACCP programs
In this session, participants will walk away with a new perspective on key performance indicators and how they relate to food safety culture
This presentation explores the increasingly intertwined realms of cybersecurity and food defense, highlighting the critical importance of safeguarding our food systems in the digital era.
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday, October 22
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
This session will provide a step-by-step guide on designing a comprehensive traceability program, covering key stages such as defining objectives and digitizing data, with insights into challenges like technology selection and employee training
FDA has identified Bulk liquid receiving and loading as a possible Key Activity Type (KAT) which relates to not only FDA Food Defense Vulnerability Assessments but also to the Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food.
A case study demonstrating how Italian Frozen Foods (IFF) USA is leveraging Microsoft Power Platform with SharePoint® to elevate its FSMS and effectively manage food safety compliance documentation, data, and certification requirements.
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
The last piece of FSMA to go into effect was the requirement for certain types of food testing to be performed by an accredited laboratory called the Laboratory Accreditation for Analysis of Foods (LAAF)
In this study, researchers assess market scale differences in food safety compliance and microbiological quality for select products procured from food deserts in Central Virginia
A discussion on how internal audits can be more than just a way of being “GFSI certified,” with a focused effort providing actionable findings, near miss understanding, and recall/483 prevention – even with limited resources
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
NEHA & NRA conducted a study of retail food handlers who took trainings within the past five years. Join us to learn about what we discovered through our survey and how you can make sure you have well-trained food handlers that keep food safe
This session will provide steps to developing your risk assessment from where to gather information to how to measure risk on chemicals of concern to preventive controls to minimize risk from chemicals.
This session will help attendees understand the role of Accreditation Bodies, Certification Bodies, Testing and Calibration Laboratories, Inspection Agencies, Personnel Certification Bodies and Inspection Agencies in meeting food safety objectives
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
This Panel will discuss metrics for assessment and improvement; coaching for strong leadership; and a roadmap of best practices for building, and maintaining, a sustainable food safety culture
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Earlier this year a public-private Governing Body was launched to provide an independent, sector-neutral forum to align industry in a shared vision for the enhanced food traceability required by the Traceability Rule (FSMA 204)
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Speakers
Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Deputy Under Secretary Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
USDA, Food Safety & Inspection Service
Assistant Commissioner for Partnerships and Policy within the Office of Regulatory Affairs
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Conference Director
Food Safety Consortium
CEO
RDR Global Partners
Sr. Food Safety & Traceability Scientist
Global Food Traceability Center at the IFT
Partner and Senior Consultant
KTL
Director of Food Safety & Quality
Chipotle
President
HACCP Consulting Group
Director of Scientific Programs & Science and Policy Initiatives
Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)
Policy Analyst, Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation (CORE) Network, CFSAN
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Principal
Gendel Food Safety LLC
Co-Founder
Catalyst, LLC
Managing Editor
Food Safety Tech
Vice President - Quality Assurance
The Wendy's Company
Senior Global Manager
International Accreditation Service Inc
Principal Consultant
New Era Partners
Associate Professor in food safety and microbiology
Virginia State University
Assoc. Professor and Executive Director
Center for Foodborne Illness & Prevention
Vice President, Industry Relations
Instant Recall
Technical Development Director
SGS North America
Principal
Leavitt Partners
Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy & Insights
Trustwell
Senior Accreditation Officer
A2LA
Global Business Development Director - Digital & Expert Services
Mérieux NutriSciences
EVP, Regulatory and Scientific Affairs
The Acheson Group (TAG)
President
D.L. Newslow & Associates
Executive VP, Regulatory Affairs
The Acheson Group (TAG)
Consultant/Trainer/Owner
Food Safety & Quality Services
Lance Roberie Consultant/Trainer/Preventive Controls Lead Instructor
Technical Services
Mérieux NutriSciences
Co-Founder
Catalyst, LLC
President
Association for Food Safety Auditing Professionals
Senior Program Analyst in Food Safety
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
President
ASI
Assistant Director – Health, Food, and Agriculture Resilience Office of Health Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

No records found.

Exhibitors
Eagle Protect is the only supplier with a US-based glove testing program, Delta ZeroTM, patent pending and specifically designed for your protection and to mitigate glove contamination risks.

Eagle Protect

Eagle Protect is the only supplier with a US-based glove testing program, Delta ZeroTM, patent pending and specifically designed for your protection and to mitigate glove contamination risks.

SGS

No records found.

Registration Info
Registration Info

Payment Method: Credit Card or PayPal. PayPal is our credit card processor. You can pay with your credit card and you do not need a PayPal account. Please note, the merchant name on your credit card statement will be "Innovative Publishing"

What are the Registration Prices:

We are happy to welcome everyone to the DC area for the 2024 Food Safety Consortium. We also understand not all travel budgets are created equal and  keeping that fact in mind, we have simplified our registration prices!

We are Offering On-Site, Virtual, and Enterprise Options, as well as discounts for teams of 3 or more participants from the same company. 

All On-Site Attendees have full access to all Consortium sessions, including the Cannabis Quality Track, as well as 2 pre-conference sessions on Sunday, Oct.  20, 2024. For your registration fee, you will be able to participate in 30+ carefully curated educational sessions, panels and TechTalks.

We are also offering a number of Pre-Conference Trainings and Workshops (Sunday/Monday) for an additional fee, that you will be able to add to your registration.

* FSC/CQC Individual Registration - In Person On-Site:

Early Bird - $795 - Available until June 30, 2024
Advanced - $995 - Available between July 1 - Oct.6, 2024
Late/On-Site - $1195 - Available Oct. 7, 2024

This is a Single Participant registration. The On-Site option provides you the ability to be present in "the room when it happens," and engaging with colleagues and vendors. This registration allows you access to all the Conference content on-site, including the Cannabis Quality Track. This registration DOES NOT INCLUDE the PAID pre-conference Workshops (Auditor Training NOR Food Safety Culture)

* FSC Individual Virtual Registration:

Early Bird - $795 - Available until June 30, 2024
Advanced - $995 - Available between July 1 - Oct. 6, 2024
Late/On-Site - $1195 - Available Oct. 7

This is an INDIVIDUAL registration that gives you the ability to attend live broadcasts of the Virtual Track sessions ONLY as they happen throughout the 2 days of the conference (Monday and Tuesday). All other conference Sessions ARE NOT available Virtually.

Both options (On Site and Virtual) include access to the recordings of all VIRTUAL TRACK sessions  (available about 1 week after the end of the event)

* FSC Enterprise Hybrid Registration

Early Bird - $1988 - Available until June 30, 2024
Advanced - $2488 - Available between July 1 - Oct. 6, 2024
Late - $2988 - Available Oct. 7 

This Registration option provides you the ability to have TWO On-Site Registrations + UNLIMITED Virtual Participants from your company. Your virtual participants will be able to participate remotely during the live broadcasts of the Virtual Track sessions (as noted in the Agenda) as they happen throughout the 2 days of the conference (Monday and Tuesday). All other conference sessions ARE NOT available Virtually.

This option includes access to the recordings of all VIRTUAL TRACK sessions  (available about 1 week after the end of the event)

* FSC Team Virtual Registration

Early Bird - $1988 - Available until June 30, 2024
Advanced - $2488 - Available between July 1 - Oct. 6, 2024
Late - $2988 - Available Oct. 7 

This Registration option provides you the ability to register UNLIMITED Virtual Participants from your company. Your virtual participants will be able to participate remotely during the live broadcasts of the Virtual Track sessions ONLY, as they happen throughout the 2 days of the conference (Monday and Tuesday). ALL other Sessions ARE NOT available Virtually.

This option includes access to the recordings of all VIRTUAL TRACK sessions  (available about 1 week after the end of the event)

* PRE-CONFERENCE AUDITOR TRAINING WORKSHOP - Please see additional information about this workshop on the Pre-Conference Workshops Page. THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL REGISTRATION FEE NOT INCLUDED IN THE CONSORTIUM REGISTRATION

Early Bird - $645 - Available until June 30, 2024
Advanced - $750 - Available between July 1 - Oct. 6, 2024
Full Price - $950 - Available starting Oct. 7, 2024 

This Registration option provides you the ability to register for the Auditor Training Workshop being held Sunday October 20, and is an ON-SITE registration ONLY. 

* PRE-CONFERENCE FOOD SAFETY CULTURE WORKSHOP - Please see additional information about this workshop on the Pre-Conference Workshops Page. THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL REGISTRATION FEE NOT INCLUDED IN THE CONSORTIUM REGISTRATION

Early Bird - $545 - Available until June 30, 2024
Advanced - $675 - Available between July 1 - Oct. 6, 2024
Full Price - $850 - Available starting Oct. 7, 2024 

This Registration option provides you the ability to register for the Food Safety Culture Workshop being held Sunday October 20, and is an ON-SITE registration ONLY. 

Pre-Conference Training and Workshops Information
Pre-Conference Training and Workshops Information

More details for each are on the agenda

* Advanced Food Safety HACCP Workshop 

This 20-hour workshop focuses on the maintenance and continuous improvement of effective Food Safety HACCP Programs. Experienced and knowledgeable instructors have chosen key subject areas that are important to current issues and resolutions for effective management of Food Safety HACCP Programs. The agenda will vary based on current food safety issues, FSMA updates and the needs of the actual attendees based on their industry sector. We encourage our attendees to share their questions and areas of interest at prior to their attendance. Please submit questions to the instructors via email at contact@newslow.com. We are providing this course in three (2-3 hr.) virtual classes conducted by a live instructor in September and October culminating with an in person 8–10-hour class on October 20th at the Food Safety Tech Consortium in Arlington, VA. 

Early Bird - $795 - Available until June 30, 2024
Advanced - $1095 - Available until Aug. 31
Full Price - $1295 - Available starting Sept. 1

* FSPCA Intentional Adulteration (IA) Conducting Vulnerability Assessments Participant Course

This course will provide participants with the knowledge to implement the requirements of conducting a vulnerability assessment under the Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration (IA) regulation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This regulation is one of a number of regulations and guidance that implement the provisions of the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).


The Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration regulation (referred to as the IA rule) is aimed at preventing intentional adulteration from acts intended to cause wide-scale public health harm, including acts of terrorism targeting the food supply. The regulation requires that certain activities must be completed by a “food defense qualified individual” who has successfully completed training in the conduct of a vulnerability assessment (21 cfr 121.4). This course developed by the FSPCA is the “standardized curriculum” recognized by FDA; successfully completing this course is one way to meet the requirements for a “food defense qualified individual” responsible for conducting a vulnerability assessment.

The IA rule does not specify a particular method that you must use to conduct your vulnerability assessment. Two potential methods that can be used are the Key Activity Type (KAT) and/or the Three Fundamental Elements methods. If you conduct your vulnerability assessment using the KAT method with no modifications, you should consider completing the FSPCA IA Conducting Vulnerability Assessments Using Key Activity Types course. However, if you use any modifications to the KAT method or plan to use the Three Fundamental Elements method, then this course would provide the tools you need to do so.

18 CE Hours: The Food Safety Consortium Conference’s two-day program is recognized by NEHA (National Environmental Health Association) for 12.0 Continuing Education (CE) Hours. If you participate in one of this Pre-Conference Training and attend the conference (a total of three days), the NEHA CE Hours is 18.

There is AN ADDITIONAL registration fee for the Pre Conference Training.
You MUST first register for the Food Safety Consortium and/or the Cannabis Quality Conference on Monday and Tuesday.

Early Bird - $645 - Available until June 30, 2024
Advanced - $750 - Available between July 1 - Oct. 6, 2024
Full Price - $950 - Available starting Oct. 7, 2024

* Auditor Training Workshop

Workshop Participants will be provided an in depth overview of the food safety auditing profession. 4 part series designed to provide the knowledge, behaviors and technical skills attributed to a competent food safety auditor. The series includes 3 virtual 2 hour presentations conducted by a live instructor to support participants learning experience regardless of their current level of auditing experience. These sessions are recorded and available for additional self-paced study for less experienced participants, while experienced auditors can refresh their understanding of auditing fundamentals before advancing to the more complex skills and critical thinking behaviors needed to audit high risk products. The course culminates with a full day of in person instruction on advanced topics such as potential conflicts of interest, enhanced conflict resolution techniques and providing tips in advanced written communication skills to support the delivery of comprehensive audit reports. A variety of learning techniques such as case studies and role playing will be used to reinforce the knowledge and skills covered by this course of study.

Registrants will participate in a 4 part series of virtual presentations that will culminate in the day of review class. The one day review, conducted On-Site in Washington, DC, will include case studies and role playing to reinforce the knowledge and skills covered by this course of study. Once you register for this Pre-Conference workshop, you will receive invitations to join the webinars PRIOR to arrival at the Review day.

Early Bird - $645 - Available until June 30, 2024
Advanced - $750 - Available between July 1 - Oct. 6, 2024
Full Price - $950 - Available starting Oct. 7, 2024

* FOOD SAFETY CULTURE WORKSHOP

Early Bird - $545 - Available until 30, 2024
Advanced - $1095 - Available between until Aug. 31
Full Price - $1295 - Available starting Sept. 1

This Registration option provides you the ability to register for the Food Safety Culture Workshop being held Monday October 16. This is offered In-Person ONLY.

FAQs
FAQs

Can I Cancel my Registration:

Cancellations minus a 20% cancellation fee are available until October 7, 2024. Cancellations MUST be submitted in WRITING to Veronica Allen, CMP, Events Manager at vallen@innovativepublishing.net. Cancellation requests MUST be received by October 7, 2024. There will be NO refunds on Cancellations received after October 7. 

We will gladly substitute your registration to another colleague.

What sessions are included in the VIRTUAL Registration:

Only sessions in VIRTUAL TRACK for the Food Safety Consortium will be available virtually.  All REGISTRATIONS will receive access to a gated link to the recordings for you to listen to after the event.  Recordings will be available about a week after the event.

I can't make the In-Person event, what can I do?

If you registered to attend in Person, and you can not make the trip, NO PROBLEM! Please let us know that you will not be able to attend in person (via email to vallen@innovativepublishing.net) and we will send you the links to join the live sessions for the VIRTUAL TRACK of the Food Safety Consortium.

Do you have a room block at the hotel?

Attendees to the Food Safety Consortium are offered a special group rate of $257.00 + taxes per night if booked by September 27, 2024, via this link. You can also find the Discounted Hotel Block Reservation link at the top of the conference homepage at www.FoodSafetyConsortium.org.

Please note, in order to produce and host the conference at the hotel, the Food Safety Consortium has to financially guarantee the room block. We greatly appreciate it if you reserve your hotel room through the above link. Please do not use third party travel apps like Kayak, Hotel (dot com) or Marriott points to reserve your room. Those rooms are not considered part of the guaranteed Consortium room block. It takes a village to share food safety knowledge and you are doing your part presenting but also by reserving your hotel room through the room block. Thanks for your understanding.

Travel Information
Travel Information

Transportation information

The Crystal Gateway Marriott is only one mile from Reagan National Airport (DCA), two miles to Washington, DC and directly connected to the Crystal City Metro station. Ideally located in Arlington, VA, the hotel is steps to the exciting new National Landing development and Pentagon City; as well as a quick and convenient Metro ride to downtown Washington D.C. and Old Town Alexandria. 

The hotel provides a complimentary Airport Shuttle, that runs daily between 5:00 AM to Midnight, every 30 minutes. You can schedule it by calling the hotel. 

You can also take a metro ride from the Airport by following the signs to the National Airport Metro Station. You will need to purchase a fare care from one of the machines at the station. The fare should be ~ $2.

You can take the Yellow Line (towards Mount Vernon Square) or the Blue Line (towards Largo). Depending on the time you arrive at the airport, trains will run between 5 to 15 minutes.

The hotel is the next stop, CRYSTAL CITY Metro Station. Exit the station via the S. Clark & 18 Street exit, Hotel is a 5 minute walk from the hotel across the metro station

A typical UBER ride to the hotel from the Airport will cost you between $10 - $45 depending on the time you arrive. Be aware that rush hour in the DC area runs between 6:30 am – 9:30 am and 3:00 pm – 6:30 pm.

You can also board a TAXI from the taxi stand at the airport. Fare should run you about $15.

You can also take Amtrak/ACELA trains to Union Station in DC and take the Metro RED Line (toward Shady Grove). Change trains to the YELLOW Line (toward Huntington) and get off at the Crystal City Station. Exit the station via the S. Clark & 18 Street exit, Hotel is a 5 minute walk from the hotel across the metro station.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TRAVEL TO THE NATION'S CAPITAL

DC has lots to offer! Here are a couple of things for you to explore:

If you would like to visit the National Air & Space Museum, make sure to make reservations in advance. Entrance is free but timed-tickets are needed to be able to enter the museum.

You can make reservation via this link

To visit the National Museum of African American History, you will need to make ticket reservations in advance. There are limited tickets and they tend to be gone pretty fast. Make sure to make reservations at least a month in advance via this link

To visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum, you can reserve timed tickets via this link

Floor Plan

You can view the interactive floor plan here

Exhibitors & Sponsor Info
Reserving your tabletop and sponsorship is a sound business decision. The Food Safety Consortium/Cannabis Quality Conference gives sponsors new and innovative tools for face to face lead generation. With limited space for exhibits, get exclusive access to hundreds of attendees, interact with participants and reserve a spot for your business today before they sell out. For Sponsorship  and Exhibit information contact RJ Palermo or download the information here