"We are very pleased with the number of exhibitors and attendees on the exhibit floor for IPE/IFE Week," said 2012 USPoultry chairman Mark Waller from Ingram Farms in Alabama.
"We have had a great turn-out this year, and the energy and excitement on the floor has been evident."
A variety of education sessions complemented the exhibits by keeping industry management informed on current issues.
This year’s educational line-up featured five new programs. The Executive Conference on the Future of the American Poultry and Egg Industry drew an extremely large crowd and featured presentations from Jeff Simmons, president of Elanco Animal Health; Jim Paulsen, Chief Investment Strategist for Wells Capital Management; and Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, Under Secretary for Food Safety, FSIS.
Also new, the Pre-Harvest Food Safety Conference was very well attended. The conference reviewed the known and unknown issues associated with the control of food-borne pathogens in pre-harvest operations. Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, Under Secretary for Food Safety, helped provide the opening comments for the conference.
Hatchery clinic
The Hatchery-Breeder Clinic provided information on incubation needs for modern breeds and a disease update for breeders, along with a variety of other time-sensitive topics. Another popular program, the Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit reviewed the challenges and solutions of animal agriculture stewardship.
A distinguished panel participated in a discussion on sustainability implications for the poultry industry, including Jim Perdue, Chairman of Perdue Farms, and Mike Helgeson, CEO of GNP Company.
Student program
The College Student Career Program attracted 325 students from 23 universities throughout the United States. The graduating students interviewed for jobs and internships with 25 industry and allied firms. They were also able to visit the exhibit floor to see the most current technology used in today's poultry industry.
