2007 Conference
March 21 - 24, 2007
Palm Springs, California

The FPSA 2007 Conference was a great success.  Over 300 attendees enjoyed four days of beautiful Palm Springs weather, heard from leading business leaders, participated in content rich industry council sessions and networked with processors and fellow suppliers. 

This year's event resulted in several news releases, some affecting FPSA members only, others affecting the industry.

Viggo Nielsen Takes the Helm at FPSA
Riggins to Lead FPSA Dairy Council Board of Directors
GMA/FPA Announce Major Research Initiative at the FPSA Conference
Volume Pricing...A Revelutionary Concept?

Joel Johnson, CEO (retired) Hormel Foods, offered his observations of food trends and strategies, as well as lessons learned during his forty year career.	Cal Dooley, CEO, GMA/FPA, spoke to the GMA/FPA position on Food Safety and Nanotechnology.

This year's event introduced some new aspects to Conference.  One of the most popular aspects was the inclusion of customers to speak at council sessions. 

Customer speakers this year included:  

Jack Mulder, Tillamook Creamery, Kirby Powell, Kline Process Systems, Tim Reagan, Dannon NA, Walter Staehle, Siemens, for the Dairy Council. Larry Hanson, Johnsonville Sausage, Greg Marconnet, Kraft Foods, Henry Morris and Phil Hinderaker of Smithfield Foods spoke to MISA (Meat) Council. Mark Miller, Fresh From Texas, Dave Withycombe, Del Monte and Brad Stapleton, Stapleton-Spence spoke to the Fruit and Vegetable Council.	Henry Morris, VP Manufacturing, Smithfield Foods
Humberto Mayorga, Alpura, Gregorio De Haene, Sigma Alimentos, Vicente Lopez Abad, Sabormex and Jose Antonio Lorenzo, Conservas La Torre spoke about How to do Business in Mexico. Paul Gold, Pfizer and Bill Williams, CPS Group, Multivac, Inc. spoke to the Pharmaceutical Council. Tony Dworetsky and Larry Hobbs of ISBT, Stefanie Ringo, Cargill, and John Wisler, Kraft Foods spoke to the Beverage Council.
	As alway the social networking events were well attended and thoroughly enjoyed.  These events gave the attendees chance to talk with fellow suppliers as well as the guest speakers.  A great chance to establish new connections as well as strengthen old connections.

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point
Bonita Springs, FL
Wednesday, March 12 - Saturday, March 15