Education Sessions Probe Global, Beltway and Market Forces at AMI International Meat, Poultry & Seafood Convention

Washington, DC—Three comprehensive, forward-looking educational conferences in public policy, international finance and business and marketing will be featured at the American Meat Institute’s (AMI) International Meat, Poultry & Seafood Exposition as part of Worldwide Food Expo 2003, Oct. 29 – Nov. 1, 2003, at McCormick Place in Chicago.

This year’s unique series of educational sessions are among the most innovative ever created for an AMI convention. Industry experts will take attendees inside the beltway, the mind of the consumer and the international marketplace in 12 workshops that are designed to maximize the educational experience for all participants.

The Public Policy Conference: Inside the Beltway explores the numerous public policy developments that will make a substantial impact on meat and poultry companies from the environment to animal welfare to nutrition and security. Industry leaders and policy experts will talk about what’s ahead in the public policy arena and how companies can prepare.

The International Finance and Business Conference: Breaking Down the Barriers will analyze the promises of globalization and free trade in sessions that focus on big picture trends and specific purchase behavior. International attendees will get a glimpse of the American consumer – their attitudes, spending behaviors and their rapidly changing demographics –- and address current opportunities and obstacles in the global marketplace.

The Marketing Conference: Consumer and Customer Trends will focus on current and future trends that are shaping how, when, where and what companies are marketing. Key topics include concerns of global consumers, case ready, irradiated and organic products at retail and the challenge of marketing in a consolidated retail arena.

Conference sessions are scheduled Wednesday through Friday mornings and are open to all who are fully registered for the convention.

Worldwide Food Expo is the premier showcase of processing, packaging, equipment, ingredients and services for the global food industry. Sponsored by the American Meat Institute (AMI), the International Association of Food Industry Suppliers (IAFIS), the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), and the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), Worldwide Food Expo ’03, will be held October 29-November 1, 2003, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill. The biennial event attracts more than 30,000 industry leaders from 150 countries to see the largest North American display of food industry suppliers in one location. Attendees will view the innovations of more than 1,200 exhibitors in 1.2 million square feet of floor space, and attend up to 50 educational workshops emphasizing new technologies in the food processing industry. Expo ’03 is comprised of the Food, Dairy & Beverage Exposition and the International Meat, Poultry & Seafood Exposition. For more information, visit www.worldwidefood.com.

AMI represents the interests of packers and processors of beef, pork, lamb, veal and turkey products and their suppliers throughout North America. Together, AMI's members produce 95 percent of the beef, pork, lamb and veal products and 70 percent of the turkey products in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute provides legislative, regulatory, public relations, technical, scientific and educational services to the industry. Its affiliate, the AMI Foundation, is a separate 501(c)3 organization that conducts research, education and information projects for the industry.