“Full House, Flush or Straight - High Steaks with IAMP 2008”

The 2008 IAMP Convention was defintely full of "high steaks" fun, learning, socializing with old and new friends and a time for the Association to plan and prosper.

The convention was kicked off with the pre-convention tour that headed to the Meating Haus in Morton, Echo Valley Meats in Bartonville and Darling International in Mason City, IL. The tour was enjoyed by all and certainly very educational. Thank you to the tour hosts.

The President's Welcome reception was hosted by Kevin Miller, 2007-08 President. We all enjoyed a fantastic buffet provided by Kevin. Each year this event grows, and we look forward to it becoming an annual event.

The Friday morning sessions were kicked off with Jay Hall of Excalibur Seasoning speaking on Allergens, Allergen Replacements & Savory Flavors. Jim Black spoke on Energy Savings Tips. Rich Knipe and Jeanne Harland spoke on "Locally Raised Beef Promotions in Illinois." Jay Wenther of AAMP presented an AAMP Update. Dr. Mazurczak and Dr. Westerhold advised the group on inspection issues and FSIS Directive regarding e coli. Tom Eickman won the Early Bird Drawing-Congratulations Tom!!

The Trade Show was nearly a full house with 58 booths. It was great to see some new vendors and plant members interested in their products. I hope you are able to patronize those exhibitors that support our convention and activities.

A very heartfelt Thank You to the Operator/Supplier Party committee for your fine work and dedication for this year's activity. The Bacon Cheeseburgers were fantastic. Thank you to all those that contributed to the Scholarship 50/50. We were able to raise enough funds at convention to cover the costs of the scholarships awarded at the U of I.

The sessions were held again this year at the U of I Meats Lab on Saturday morning. They were very well attended and many of the members have remarked on how beneficial those seminars are.

Members saw Jay Wenther of AAMP prepare 4 different varieties of Smoked Sausage, Gary Schwend, Trenton Processing, prepare his Championship Braunschweiger and Chuck Stites and Dr. McKeith of the U of I present the effects of varying different levels of ingredients in the same product.

The ladies enjoyed their shopping trip to the Tanger Outlet Mall in Tuscola. Too bad it wasn't warmer weather. Their lunch at the Amishland Red Barn Buffet was very enjoyable.

The annual meeting was moved to Saturday afternoon and had a better attendance. Topics discussed included the closing of the Cavel International plant, future convention site locations and upcoming IAMP activities.

The Annual Banquet began with a fantastic meal again this year with the prime rib and pork loins provided by Cargill and prepared by IAMP members. The highlight of the banquet was the recognition of Jo and Jim Flemming of Festival Sausage at Oakland for their contribution to IAMP and the meat industry. Congratulations to Jim and Jo! (You can be a dealer next year if you would like!!) The Casino night was enjoyed by all and requested for next year. The U of I Meat Science Students dealed out the fun and the members enjoyed it immensely. We won't soon forget the hot poker tables, filled and exciting blackjack tables, Rick dealing Craps and the ever popular Bingo Calling Girls (their humor was awesome). The evening was capped off with a Casino "Fun Money" auction. Everyone enjoyed pooling their money to get the big prizes. Special thank you to all the donors to the Casino Auction. The prizes ranged from U of I Football and Cardinals Baseball tickets to a chocolate fountain to U of I gear. It was a blast!!

The board members did convene on Sunday morning to plan for the upcoming year. I thank you for completing so much business before we left to head home. It has been great to see your planning in action and I believe the upcoming year will certainly be a succes for IAMP.

Please make plans to atend next year's IAMP covention in Champaign on February 26-March 1, 2009-Same location-Same great fun!!

Dianne

The IAMP Convention each year is a huge success because of all the Supplier and Operator members who sponsor events. The following is a list of supporters of the 2008 convention:

Milanos Scale & Equipment Co. INC – Refreshment Break

Harbro Packaging – Product Show

Bush Bros. – Hot Buffet Lunch & Paper Products for Friday Night Party

Coloma Frozen Foods – Fruit at Operator/Supplier Party & Business Cards

Kaluzny Bros. –Product Show

Schmidt Equipment & Supply, INC. –Cake for Operator/Supplier Party, Lunch for Pre-convention Tour & Slicer for Cured Meat Competition

Tipper Tie, INC – Refreshment Break

Hickey Casing – Product Show

Darling International –Trade Show Social, Exhibit Hall Refreshments,
Convention Booklet & Product Show

Mar/Co Sales, INC. – Trade Show Social & Casino Night

The Horton Group – Convention Booklet

Excalibur Seasoning – Exhibit Hall Refreshments & Kid’s Pizza & Swim Party

Cargill Food Distribution – Prime Rib & Pork Loin for Banquet

Hess Meat Machines – Cooker for Banquet Meal & Trade Show Social

TNN-JEROS – Convention Booklet

Vista International Packaging – Product Show

Illinois Pork Producers Assn. – Innovative Pork Awards

Illinois Beef Assn. – Innovative Beef Awards

J & B Group – Convention Booklet

Weber’s Meats of Geneseo – Beef Brisket Sandwiches

Miller's Meat Market –Ground Beef Patties and Bacon for the Operator/ Supplier Party & President's Welcome Reception

Ross Industries – Exhibit Hall Refreshments

Standard Rule Promotions –Early Bird Drawing & Lanyards for Name
Badges

Memco – Convention Booklet & Frocks and Gloves for Pre-convention Tour

Jim's Cheese Pantry – Exhibit Hall Refreshments

Reiser – Casino Night

Nassau Foods – On Time Drawing

Leiding's Meats & Catering – Table Decorations and Hamburger Buns