Register now!
NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting, Jan. 21-23 and Preventive Controls Qualified Individual Course (optional add-on training), Jan. 19-21, Pittsburgh, PA
NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting
Registration for the NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting is now open! Join us for an engaging and informative event, where you'll have the opportunity to connect and network with fellow food safety partners, participate in insightful sessions, and expand your knowledge on key topics.
Event Details:
- Dates: January 21-23, 2025
- Location: Hilton DoubleTree Pittsburgh Downtown, One Bigelow Square, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: there are two options available for attending:
- If you have funds available and prefer to pay for the conference, the cost is $260.
- If you do not have external funds, NECAFS will cover the cost for you. We have allocated funds in our grant specifically to ensure this event is accessible for those without external funding.
During the registration process, you will be asked whether you want to pay for the conference. Simply select the option that applies to you:
- If you choose to pay, you will be charged $260.
- If you choose not to pay, you will not be charged, and NECAFS will fund your participation.
Please note: This support is intended to ensure everyone has the opportunity to attend, regardless of their funding situation. For more details on financial support, see the information provided below.
Add-on Training Opportunity: Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) Course
In addition to the NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting, we are excited to offer an add-on training opportunity: a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) course taught by Penn State University, scheduled immediately prior to the conference.
PCQI Course Details:
- Dates: Sunday, January 19 - Tuesday, January 21, 2025 (Please note these dates include a Sunday and a federal holiday, Monday - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
- Instructor: Martin Bucknavage and Rick Kralj, Penn State University, and Nicole Richard, University of Rhode Island
- Course Version: Recently updated PCQI 2.0 course
Cost: there are two options available for attending:
- If you have funds available and prefer to pay for this training, the cost is $700.
- If you do not have external funds, NECAFS will cover the cost for you. We have allocated funds in our grant specifically to ensure this training is accessible for those without external funding.
During the registration process, you will be asked whether you want to pay for the training. Simply select the option that applies to you:
- If you choose to pay, you will be charged $700.
- If you choose not to pay, you will not be charged, and NECAFS will fund your participation.
- Please note: This support is intended to ensure everyone has the opportunity to attend, regardless of their funding situation. For more details on financial support, see the information provided below.
This is a great opportunity for those who have not taken the PCQI course or those who would like to attend the updated version to add it to their attendance at the NECAFS Annual Meeting. Priority will be given to produce safety and preventive controls regulators and educators from the Northeast. If space is still available, it will be opened up to processors and others interested in attending. Participants who complete the PCQI course will receive a course certificate.
Important Registration Information:
If you plan to attend the Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) Course, you must register separately for this course. Please note that registration for the NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting does NOT include registration for the PCQI course. Therefore, if you plan to attend both the PCQI training and the annual meeting, you need to complete both registration forms.
Conference Venue and Hotel Details
Hilton DoubleTree Pittsburgh Downtown
One Bigelow Square, Pittsburgh, PA
HOTEL ROOM BOOKING LINKS
Important!!!! Hotel Block Deadline:
Don't miss out on securing your accommodation for our upcoming conference. The hotel block at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown will close at the end of the day on January 3. After this date, we cannot guarantee the room rate or availability at the hotel. While conference registration will remain open after January 3, we strongly encourage you to register and book your hotel room as soon as possible to ensure you have a place to stay.
Click here for Government rate hotel block
$136 per night with government ID
Click here for non-government rate hotel block
$149 per night
Hotel Booking Information
For Attendees Paying for Their Own Hotel Room: We have reserved a block of rooms at the Hilton DoubleTree Pittsburgh Downtown. You will need to make your own hotel reservations through the provided booking links. The government rate is available only to those with a government ID. There is also a block of non-government rate rooms for our non-government partners. For those planning to attend the PCQI course, the booking link includes the days of that class and the rates are the same.
For Attendees Using NECAFS Financial Support: NECAFS will make hotel reservations on your behalf at the Hilton DoubleTree Pittsburgh Downtown based on the information you provide during the conference registration process. If you need NECAFS to cover your hotel costs during attendance at the PCQI training, please email Elizabeth Newbold. If you need to change your hotel reservations after completing your registration, please email Elizabeth Newbold with any adjustments. Do not call the hotel directly.
Financial Support
NECAFS is committed to making this meeting and optional add-on training accessible to all attendees from the Northeast region. If you do not have a grant or other funding sources to cover your costs, NECAFS can provide financial support to cover your registration fee, hotel, and travel expenses. We aim to ensure that everyone who wants to attend has the opportunity to participate.
Preventive Controls Qualified Individual Dates and Times
Sunday, January 19th 10:00 - 5:00 PM
Monday, January 20th 8:30 - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, January 21st 8:30 - 5:00 PM
NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting Dates and Times
Tuesday, January 21st - 4:00 - 6:00pm
- Welcome Reception
Wednesday, January 22nd - 8:00 - 5:00pm
- Produce Safety Educators Meeting
- Preventive Controls Educators and Regulators Meeting
- NE Produce Safety Regulator and Program Staff Meeting
- Please note, parts of this session are closed and are for state produce safety program inspectors and program staff only.
- Poster Session and Reception - 5:30 - 6:30pm
Thursday, January 23rd - 8:00 - 5:00pm
- Integrated Produce Safety Regulatory, Educational, and Research Meeting
- Preventive Controls Educators and Regulators Meeting
Summary of 2024 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting - Portland, ME
The 2024 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting was held in Portland, ME, January 23 & 24. The agenda and meeting materials are provided below.
Summary Evaluation Report for 2024 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting
| Date | Session | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 23, 2024 | Welcome and Plenary Session | NECAFS Background & History, Current Work Plan, and Connection to Past Annual Meetings and to the current work of THIS YEAR’s Annual Meeting
|
| Integrated Research and Extension for Enhanced Food Safety | Integrated Research and Extension for Enhanced Food Safety Intent: Gain clarity around why it is important to integrate research and extension and how we might do it in our region. Connecting Research and Extension
Case Study Panel: Cleaning and Sanitizing Food Contact Surfaces in Apple Harvesting & Storage
Translating Science: Development of Educational Tools Risk-Based Decision Support Tool
Assessing Animal Intrusion and Contamination Risk Tool
The Agricultural Water Risk Management Tool
| |
| Jan. 24, 2024 | Integrated Produce Safety Regulatory, Educational, and Research Meeting | Intent: Understand how produce safety priority research areas are determined and how can observational data be used to frame a regional research roadmap. A Look Inside Produce Safety Research Planning FDA Organization and Research Function in Produce Safety
University Researchers and How Produce Safety Research is Prioritized by Academic Scientists Review of Regional Data: Observations of On-farm Practices Overview of Regional Aggregated Northeast Inspectional Observations from 2023
On-Farm Readiness Review and CONTACT Industry Survey Results
|
| Preventive Controls for Human Food Workgroup Meeting | Processors’ Food Safety Toolkit Overview and early usage trends
Regional PCHF Course Evaluation Tool Launch of regionally developed tool to collect PCHF evaluation and processor educational needs data
Exploring Projects with Creative Approach to Implementation and Their Successes Improving the Development of Food Safety Plans through the Advanced Preventive Controls School Initiative
Development and Implementation of a Hands-on Food Safety and Regulatory Curriculum for Members of Shared-use Commercial Kitchens in Florida
Building Capacity: Customized Food Safety Educaiton and Outreach in Rhode Island
Food Safety Management and Document Development for PCHF Rule Qualified Exemption-Eligible Food Facilities
Multi-Modal Dairy Food Safety Plan Education to Support Small and Medium Dairy Producers
|
Summary of 2023 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting - Hartford, CT
The 2023 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting was held in Hartford, CT, January 18th & 19th. The agenda and meeting materials are provided below.
- Summary Evaluation Report for 2023 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting (PDF)
- Combined Meeting Notes (PDF)
- NE Regulator and Program Staff Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Educators Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Produce Safety Workgroup Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Preventive Controls Workgroup Meeting Agenda (PDF)
All videos from the meeting are available on the NECAFS YouTube channel.
Summary of 2022 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting - Virtual
The 2022 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting was held jointly virtually, January 18th, 19th, & 20th, jointly with the Northeast Regulator One-Day Working Meeting. The agenda and meeting materials are provided below.
- Summary Evaluation Report for 2022 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting (PDF)
- Full Conference Agenda (PDF)SESSION VIDEO RECORDINGS
All videos from the meeting are available on the NECAFS YouTube channel.
Summary of 2021 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting - Virtual
The 2021 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting was held jointly virtually, February 16th, 17th, & 18th, jointly with the Northeast Regulator One-Day Working Meeting. The agenda and meeting materials are provided below.
- Summary Evaluation Report for 2021 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting (PDF)
- Full Conference Agenda (PDF)
- Combined Meeting Minutes (PDF)
- 2020 Regional Summary of PSA Grower Training Pre- and Post-Test Results
- 2020 Food Safety Resource Clearinghouse User Analytics
- List of Actively Funded Research Projects in the Northeast
- Number of Trainings in the Northeast in 2020 (PSA Grower Training, FSPCA QI Trainings, OFRR)
Summary of 2020 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting - Philadelphia, PA
The 2020 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting was held February 10-12 in Philadelphia, PA, jointly with the Northeast Region Produce Safety Workgroup. The agenda and meeting materials are provided below.
- Summary Evaluation Report of 2020 Annual Conference and Meeting (PDF)
- Full Conference Agenda (DOCX)
- Combined Meeting Minutes (DOCX)
All videos from the meeting are available on the NECAFS YouTube channel.
Summary of 2019 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting - Albany, NY
The 2019 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting was held February 4-6 in Albany, NY, jointly with the Northeast Region Produce Safety Workgroup. The agenda and meeting materials are provided below.
- Summary Report of 2019 Annual Conference and Meeting Evaluations (PDF)
- Overall Agenda (PDF)
- Combined Notes (PDF)
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Summary of 2018 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting - Baltimore, MD
The 2018 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting was held Jan. 23-25 in Baltimore, MD, held jointly with the Northeast Region Produce Safety Workgroup. Agenda for the Conference and Meeting included:
Tuesday, January 23rd
- Focused meeting day, in two parallel tracks, dedicated to:
- Produce Safety, and
- Preventive Controls for Human Food
Wednesday, January 24th
- Joint conference session:
- Keynote speaker
- Updates from each state regulatory, research and extension
- Three panel sessions featuring producers, processors and buyers.
Wednesday Evening, January 24th
- Poster session that
- Highlighted poster presentations on extension, education and outreach activities across the region
Thursday, January 25th
- NECAFS Steering Team Meeting
EVALUATION FROM 2018 ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND MEETING
Attendees at the 2018 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting completed program evaluations. This evaluation asked questions about the Annual Conference and Meeting as well as overall NECAFS programming. Please download the full report here:
VIDEO FROM 2018 ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND MEETING
- All videos from the meeting are available on the NECAFS YouTube channel.
Summary of 2017 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting - Boston, MA
The 2017 NECAFS Annual Conference and Meeting was held January 10, 2017 in Boston, MA. Below is a full summary report and presenations from the meeting.