AFDO Annual Educational Conference Cancellation Notice
Dear AFDO Community and Conference Attendees,
Every day each of you is part of history being rewritten as we address the COVID-19 pandemic. We have continued to monitor the situation that has rapidly changed our world – and our plans. The health and safety of our attendees, sponsors, vendors and staff at the AFDO Annual Educational Conference is our top priority. We are also aware that travel restrictions for state, federal, industry and academic stakeholders would preclude the attendance of the majority of the very people who make the annual conference a successful event. In addition, should participants be able to work by our June dates, there will be much catching up to do as operations resume.
After much consideration, for the first time in 124 years, there will NOT be an AFDO Annual Educational Conference. Instead, the AFDO team and program planning committees look forward to seeing everyone in Grand Rapids, Michigan, June 12-16, 2021 for what will be the 124th annual conference. We take great pride in our historically consistent contribution to the food safety and medical products landscape and we look forward to continuing AFDO’s role despite this event cancellation.
We are so appreciative of all the speakers, AFDO committees, sponsors, and vendors who have been patient while we made this difficult decision. We will work with these stakeholders to determine what part of what was to be an excellent program might be delivered using other virtual platforms.
The Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel has worked closely with AFDO and we look forward to the opportunity to host the AFDO Annual Educational Conference there in 2022.
We value the support and feedback of everyone involved in preparing for this key event and appreciate your professionalism, patience and understanding during these truly extraordinary times.
We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.
Steven Mandernach
Executive Director