After two years of being a virtual-only event, IFT is excited to return to McCormick Place in Chicago, July 10–13, for an inspiring and dynamic event and expo. However, recognizing that the world has changed since the last live event in 2019, IFT's 2022 FIRST (Food Improved by Research, Science & Technology) will be a hybrid event. Audiences that can't make it to Chicago will be able to view and participate in live-streamed keynotes and featured sessions, watch on-demand scientific programing, and pick the brains of other attendees–both in-person and online.
This year's program theme, "Hacking the Food Supply: Can We Synthesize a More Sustainable Future?" focuses on real-world scientific and business solutions to promote sustainability across the food system.
In this newsletter—the official preview of the show—you will find in-depth information on the educational programming, highlights of the social events taking place, and insights on how to tailor your in-person or virtual experience.
The core of the FIRST program is based on dialogue, debate, and discovery around critical issues and questions facing the global food system. This will kick off with an Oxford-style debate, "Should We Eat More Processed Food?" moderated by ABC News correspondent John Donvan, which explores the impact of processed food on local economies, supply chains, and the environment.
In addition, Astronaut, physician, and inventor, Dr. Scott Parazynski will be a featured speaker during a panel discussion titled "R&D at the Edges of Human Experience." In this session, R&D teams from NASA and the Translational Research Institute for Space Health will share how they are leveraging technology to better understand food from societal, cultural, and physiological perspectives.
The fun doesn't stop there. Other keynotes and featured sessions include the following:
And if you are attending FIRST virtually, you can watch all keynotes and featured sessions live and participate by submitting questions for the speakers.
The scientific program culminates on Wednesday, July 13, with the Innovation Lab—a slate of interactive, problem-solving workshops built on the guiding question themes.
Poster sessions, more than 500 pre-recorded presentations, representing 24 IFT Divisions, will be available on-demand through the FIRST virtual platform. In addition, the posters will be on display throughout the event at Destination IFT in McCormick Place.
With expertise in sweeteners, oils, and alternative flours, our technical team can help solve your unique formulation challenges. Ask us about organic cassava flour, rice syrup and RSPO palm oil.
In lieu of traditional lectures or presentations, participatory discussions will build on a foundation of pre-recorded presentations. Each discussion reflects a slate of guiding questions tied to five topics:
Each guiding question will be associated with a series of on-demand scientific program sessions. For those attending FIRST in person, you can prepare for the live conversations by watching the on-demand scientific sessions on the virtual platform before you arrive in Chicago, or check out the FIRST Cut Scientific Session Summaries. These 1-minute pre-recorded sessions provide a high-level overview of all presentations that will be a part of the discussions.
Science is always center stage at the IFT annual event, but the business of food will also play a starring role in a series of seven sessions that compose the Business FIRST track, which is back by popular demand after its debut last year. Don't miss these sessions, which will be live-streamed from the Business FIRST stage on the expo floor:
For a taste of food innovation, it's hard to imagine a better destination than the IFT FIRST Food Expo, where more than 700 exhibitors in nearly 1,800 booths will display the latest ingredients, equipment, and technologies. (Often, it's a literal taste of innovation: Think product sampling!)
Food industry trend and data providers Innova Market Insights, Mintel, and Spoonshot will all be on hand at the expo, dispensing market intelligence in one-on-one conversations as well as a series of crowd-pleasing presentations.
The Destination IFT area of the expo will house IFT Central, the Business FIRST stage, and the Startup Pavilion. It will also be home to the Cooking Up Science stage, where chefs will present 30-minute cooking demonstrations; the Fireside Chats area for informal but meaningful conversations about current trends; and the Recharge Lounge for taking a break while charging up devices.
From celebrations, field trips, social gatherings, and networking events, you'll find virtually unlimited opportunities to connect with colleagues while having a great time.
Here are just a few of the events taking place at FIRST:
New this year, Braindate offers opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and networking, allowing attendees to meet science of food professionals they wouldn't have met otherwise. The Braindate platform gives IFT FIRST non-exhibiting participants the opportunity to meet up face-to-face in the Braindate Lounge in Destination IFT, or via teleconference with a virtual participant. You pick the mutual topic and connect!
Or, if you prefer, join a small group of five professionals to discuss a relevant topic for 45 minutes. You can discuss anything on Braindate from career pathways to specific scientific topics to operations and procedure suggestions.
No comments:
Post a Comment