National Meat Association's 56th Annual Convention

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE��

December 11, 2001��

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OAKLAND, CA -- National Meat Association is pleased to announce its 56th Annual Convention February 20-23, 2002. The Convention will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Monterey, California.

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NMA's keynote speaker for the convention will be Smithfield Chairman, President and CEO Joseph Luter III.� Luter has positioned Smithfield strategically to be a massive presence in the coming century. His company, the biggest U.S. pork processor, has been quickly expanding into the beef business and Luter�s comments should enlighten anyone interested in the new alignment of superpowers in the industry.

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Also speaking, USDA�s Under Secretary for Food Safety Elsa Murano will cover the rapidly changing food safety climate.� A self-described �outsider looking in,� Murano�s presentation on regulation will certainly be a valuable addition to the convention.

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NMA's Annual Convention will be packed with seminars, workshops on crisis issues, as well as many other activities. Topics include a HACCP update, information on Mandatory Price Reporting, breaking news on Biosecurity, and seminars on management, marketing and trade.� Altogether NMA plans to have twelve Round Table Sessions, divided into the four groups of Regulatory/Inspection, Science/Technical, Business/Industry, and Trade/Marketing (complete list is available).

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NMA will also host a series of informative Specialty Meetings. Topics already planned are Planning for the Future of Your Business, BSE Update, Keeping Meat Cold, Commodity Purchase Update, Allergy Monitoring & Management, Update on Residues, Update on Exports, Update on Slotting Fees, and Update on Animal Handling Issues.

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There will also be many fun events, including an Aquarium Dinner Special and the more-popular-than-ever Sausagefest.� Since the 2002 Winter Olympics will be ending the Sunday after NMA�s Convention, we�ve decided to incorporate the spectacle. For more information or a complete brochure on 56th Annual Convention, contact NMA office at (510) 763-1533 or e-mail [email protected].� NMAonline.org also has the details.

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National Meat Association is a non-profit trade association representing meat packers and processors, as well as equipment� manufacturers and suppliers who provide services to the meat industry. The association, with over 600 members throughout the United States, includes membership in Canada, Australia and Mexico.

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