 The Illinois Association of Meat Processors’convention boasts a line up of educational seminars, hands-on processing demonstrations, tours, 55-60 booth trade show and social activities. This annual event is held in Champaign, Illinois on the fourth weekend of February each year.
The current convention site is the Hilton Garden Inn at Champaign, Illinois, conveniently located on blocks from the University of Illinois Campus and its Meats Science Laboratory. The Homewood Suites is a sister hotel to the Hilton and is located at the convention complex and features rooms appropriate for families and the business traveler.
The focus of IAMP is to bring meaningful programs for its members to the convention. Past sessions have included business planning, energy saving tips, processing with and without allergens, Illinois Crowne Beef Program, panel discussions on remodeling, upcoming inspection regulations, venison processing tips, marketing tips and many more. The educational seminars may include timely issues and are relevant for the small to mid-sized meat processing.
 With our move to Champaign in 2007, we were able to implement hands-on demonstrations at the U of I Meats Lab facility. Seminars have included the effects of varying levels of ingredients, natural versus collagen casings, benefits of bowl choppers, braunschweiger processing demonstration, processing four flavors of smoked sausages from one meat block batter and processing of barbecue products. Processors, U of I staff and industry professionals team up to highlight basic principles of sausage making to upcoming flavors and trends in the meat processing field.
Generally, the convention begins with a workshop or tour. In 2007 and 2008 the convention was preceded with a tour of meat processing facilities with retail, wholesale and catering divisions and to industries that support the meats industry. However, in 2009 an in-depth meat processing workshop at the University of Illinois is planned. Watch for the details of this event.
One of the highlights of the convention each year is the Product Show. IAMP is proud to have over 200 entries in 22 classes each year. Plaques are presented to the top three winners in each class to display in your plant. The IAMP convention is al hold a convention and trade show on the fourth weekend of February each year. so home to the Innovative Beef Competition sponsored by the Illinois Beef Association and the Innovative Pork Competition sponsored by the Illinois Pork Producer’s Association. The Innovative contests allow members to bring new and exciting products for evaluation. Winners of each competition receive $500 and the runner up receives $250 to be earmarked for advertising and a product launch.
 The 55+ booth trade show features vendors from all aspects of meat processing, packaging and business needs. Vendors may include processing and packaging equipment and supplies, spices, seasonings and additives, natural and collagen casings, cleaning equipment and supplies, scales and labeling equipment and supplies, grills and smokers, refrigeration needs, smokehouse controls, rendering and meat wholesalers. Other related vendors may include promotional items, insurance needs, financial solutions, pest management, testing and lab needs, related retail items (fruits, vegetables, cheese and more) and partnering organizations (Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Pork Producers Association and the University of IL-Extension).
The convention continues to be a “family” event with events for the young ones too. Kid’s may participate in a kid’s judging where they chose the best of a meats class which is usually wieners. They may also show off the talents in the snack art competition. Finally, all kids are welcome to have fun at the annual pizza, swim and movie party.
 Even though IAMP offers many opportunities to learn and help you with your business, we do have several social events to meet new contacts and “catch up” with old friends. The convention is kicked off with the President’s Welcome Reception. The Operator/Supplier party is always a convention highlight. The party features meats from the product show and the Best of Show Product from the prior year’s convention. The awards for the product show are presented at the conclusion of this “complimentary” event. The annual banquet premiers the fantastic Prime Rib and Pork Loin Buffet and the honoring of the Sleeter Bull Award. Entertainment follows the banquet and has included a casino night, murder mystery, hypnotists, bands or musical entertainment.
The convention also serves as a time to for the IAMP Board of Directors to get feedback from the membership and plan the upcoming year’s activities. Three meetings are held during the convention and include the annual membership meeting and two board meetings.
The IAMP Convention and Trade Show is only open to members of the association, but first time members may receive a complimentary convention registration. Please contact the IAMP Executive Secretary for further details or click on the convention page for details as they are available each year. |
The tour started at 10:30 am by hosts, Merlyn, Mike, Tom and Lori Eickman. Eickman’s is a multi faceted business doing custom processing, wholesale, retail, exotic processing, catering and venison deer processing. They are always willing to share their years of experience with fellow meat processors and the tour was no different. Eickman’s has recently added a large retail area including offices and additional loading and storage space. Eickman’s provided a wonderful lunch and then an IAMP Board meeting was held.
