While most of the country has been in the grip of football fever, those of us involved in the organisation of the IUFoST Congress have been putting together the final touches to what will be the biggest food-related event ever held in South Africa.
From a numbers perspective, it’s looking good with over 1400 delegates registered by early July, around 200 oral papers and probably around 1000 posters. The whole event will be approximately four times the size of a normal SAAFoST Congress and represents a unique opportunity for local food professionals to hear and interact with their counterparts from all over the world. In terms of global reach, we are actually far ahead of the World Cup with its relatively small number of 32 countries – we already have delegates from 73 countries registered! It promises to be a real melting pot and the ultimate networking opportunity.
On the basis that the program is what really makes or breaks a scientific congress, Gunnar Sigge and his scientific committee have put together what is arguably the best program ever seen at an IUFoST Congress with an excellent mix of academic research and more commercially oriented material. There is something for everyone!
Our exhibition of products and services for the food industry is virtually sold out and incorporates special features such as a Product Theatre where companies can promote their products and the Global Food Industries Award where the best innovations in food products, packaging and consumer communication compete for trophies in these three categories. The social side of the Congress has not been forgotten with a number of exciting events culminating in the Congress Banquet at the Nederburg wine estate on August 25th which will also be the occasion to celebrate SAAFoST’s 50th birthday. There is a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes to finalise the detail of the Congress.
We have had great support from industry in the form of sponsorship. Particular thanks go to our two Platinum Sponsors namely Bidfood Ingredients and Flavourcraft but there are many others and every bit of sponsorship has made a welcome contribution towards keeping the registration costs down.
SA has just shown the world that we can successfully run major events. For those of us for whom 2010 means food as well as football, here is our opportunity to show the world our capabilities in the fields of food science and technology and for locals to benefit from interacting with their global counterparts. We appeal to all South African food professionals to register for the Congress. Our objective is ‘2010 delegates in 2010’ – help us get there while enjoying the very best of our profession!
Scientific Programme
No matter what hoopla or fanfare surrounds it, the success of a scientific congress is dependent upon one primary factor – the calibre of the programme. With its combination of high profile international speakers and topics covering both scientific and commercial interest, the IUFoST 2010 scientific programme appears to have ticked all the right boxes.
To read more click here.
Jam-packed IUFoST trade exhibition
The exhibition halls at the CTICC promise to be just as exhilarating as the scientific programme. The IUFoST 2010 trade exhibition will run concurrently with the World Congress from Monday August 23 to Wednesday August 25.
To read more SA in Global Food Awards
<a data-cke-saved-href="http://foodreview.imix.co.za/static/foodreview/featureImages/iufost-2010--Jam-packed%20IUFoST%20trade%20exhibition.pdf%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhy%20you%20should%20visit%20OUR%20stand%E2%80%A6%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EFood%20Review%20spoke%20to%20some%20select%20exhibitors%20to%20find%20out%20the%20most%20exciting%20thing%20they%E2%80%99re%20exhibiting%20at%20the%20IUFoST%202010%20trade%20exhibition.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ETo%20read%20more%20%3Ca%20href="/ href="http://foodreview.imix.co.za/static/foodreview/featureImages/iufost-2010--Jam-packed%20IUFoST%20trade%20exhibition.pdf%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhy%20you%20should%20visit%20OUR%20stand%E2%80%A6%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EFood%20Review%20spoke%20to%20some%20select%20exhibitors%20to%20find%20out%20the%20most%20exciting%20thing%20they%E2%80%99re%20exhibiting%20at%20the%20IUFoST%202010%20trade%20exhibition.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ETo%20read%20more%20%3Ca%20href="/ static="" foodreview="" featureimages="" iufost-2010-why="" you="" should="" visit="" our="" stand….pdf"="">The South African food industry is poised for success at the IUFoST Global Food Awards 2010. The awards, held for the first time in 2008, take place every two years and recognise exceptional products globally. With more than a third of the finalist products from SA this year, the nominations clearly show local products are among the best in the world. To read more <a href="http://foodreview.imix.co.za/static/foodreview/featureImages/iufost-2010-SA%20in%20Global%20Food%20Awards.pdf">click here.
Student bites
It’s not only the commercial world that is gearing up to attend IUFoST. Students from all seven food science or technology tertiary institutions are making plans to attend this high profile event. Food Review caught up with a few of the students to find out what they are expecting this August.
To read more click here.
Facing the audience
Seven young scientists from around the world will be given the unprecedented opportunity to address the world community of food science and technology at the IUFoST world congress. Candidates were selected based on their ability to exemplify food science and technology nationally, especially under the congress theme of ‘Food Science Solutions in an evolving world’ and represent himself/herself in an oral presentation in a plenary setting.
To read more click here.
Saluting the sponsors
An event of the magnitude of the IUFoST congress 2010 is not possible without the gracious support of sponsors. The local organising committee was delighted with the generous contributions from corporate and government sponsors that have helped to keep registration costs down and send those needing financial assistance to the congress.
To read more click here.
What not to miss at IUFoST 2010
The opening plenary session on Monday August 22 featuring globally renowned speakers such as:
To read more click here.
A first for South Africa, a world food eventexperts
SAAFoST acquired international status when it became a founding member of IUFoST in 1970. Over the years the association has grown its international network primarily by the participation of prominent international food scientists as keynote speakers at SAAFoST Biennial Congresses and more recently by greater participation at international conferences.
To read more click here.
