IFST Announces Autumn Conference 2024: "Food Evolution: From Established Practices to the Future of Food"

University of Leeds to Host Premier Event on October 14-15, 2024

The Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) is excited to announce its highly anticipated Autumn Conference 2024, titled "Food Evolution: From Established Practices to the Future of Food." The conference will take place at Cloth Hall Court, University of Leeds, on October 14-15, 2024, providing outstanding networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities for professionals and students at all levels in the food system.

The event will kick off with tours of the School of Food Science and Nutrition and a pre-conference dinner and networking event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Leeds City Centre on the afternoon and evening of October 14. This gathering will provide attendees with an excellent opportunity to connect with peers, celebrate IFST's 60th Jubilee, and set the stage for the sessions on the following day. We are delighted to be joined by Dr Lisa Marshall, Head of the School of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds for her reflections on the ways food science and technology has evolved over the last 60 years.

Conference Highlights include an educational and practical agenda. Keynote speaker Professor Chris Elliott is a leading scientist in the world of food safety and authenticity. Chris is best known for founding the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast in the wake of the 2013 horsemeat scandal and will be talking on ‘Our future food system, not short of challenges…'

In addition, we are delighted to be joined by an impressive lineup of food safety, hygiene and AI technology specialists including Peter Littleton, Technical Director at Christeyns Food Hygiene Ltd, Karin Goodburn, Director General of the Chilled Food Association, and Nik Watson, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Leeds.

To keep the event lively and interactive the afternoon session features workshops and networking addressing critical topics such as deharmonised legislation, food sector skill gaps, technical support for SMEs, and new technologies in food safety.

IFST is grateful to Platinum Corporate Supporter Tracegains, as well as Gold Corporate Supporters MorePeople, Marks and Spencer, IFIS Food and Health Information, Campden BRI, Nutraceuticals Group, Dinner and Drinks Sponsor Daymer Ingredients Ltd, Student Ticket Sponsor Shield Safety, and Case Study Sponsors BlakBear, Nemis Technologies, and FreshCheck.

Ticket Information (early-bird rate until 14 August):

  - Pre-Conference Dinner: £65

  - Conference Ticket (Member): £115

  - Conference Ticket (Non-Member): £175

  - Conference and Dinner Ticket (Member): £180

  - Conference and Dinner Ticket (Non-Member): £240

  - Special rates available for IFST Student Members

Early bird tickets are still available until 14 August for purchase on the IFST website (https://www.ifst.org/ac24)

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, please contact Deborah Kendale, IFST Business Development Director at d.kendale@ifst.org.

For further information, please visit https://www.ifst.org/ac24

Media Contact:

Robert Edge-Partington

IFST Senior Communications Manager

r.edgepartington@ifst.org

+44 (0) 7534 920052