Press Registration

Press Details

Who Qualifies?

To ensure the integrity of the press badge authorization process and uphold a fair standard for all attendees, IFT is requiring all press registrants review and verify that they meet the following requirements before being granted access to press registration.

I am/have:

• An editorial role at a trade or consumer media outlet. This includes titles such as reporter, editor, writer, host, anchor, producer, and photographer/videographer. Bloggers and podcasters will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• A freelance contributor who is on assignment for a trade or consumer outlet. A letter or note from the assignment owner verifying assignment status is required.
• A social media influencer with a minimum audience of 10,000 followers/subscribers. Strong activity and engagement from food and beverage professionals across academia, government, and industry will also be taken into consideration.

The following do not qualify for press access:

• Sales roles.
• Marketing, advertising, or PR roles.
• Photographers or videographers hired by an exhibitor.

All press registration requests from bloggers, podcasters, and social media influencers must be submitted by June 13, 2025. No onsite registration will be allowed for this media demographic.

• I understand that previous IFT FIRST press access does not guarantee press access at IFT FIRST.
• I understand that I must provide recent relevant work samples verifying my status as active media as part of my registrant application.
• I understand that media are responsible for providing video/photo/audio release forms to attendees and exhibitors interviewed. B-roll footage does not require releases. Scientific Sessions and Keynote Sessions should not be filmed without prior permission from IFT.
• I understand that if I choose to forgo online registration and register on-site, I may be denied a press badge if I do not meet the above criteria. I understand that IFT is not responsible for any reimbursement around travel or material costs.
• I understand that IFT has the right to deny or revoke press access at its discretion.
• I understand that if my press badge request is rejected and I gain access to the event as a non-paid attendee, I will be removed from the event and subject to law enforcement and legal penalties.
• I understand that IFT FIRST is an in-person only event. There is no virtual component.

If you have any questions, please contact Dennis Van Milligen, IFT Director of External Relations, at [email protected], or Frannie Comstock, IFT Manager of Public Relations and Organizational Communications, at [email protected].

Photography and Video Rules for Media

Photographers and videographers must be on assignment and have a shoot schedule approved by IFT at least two weeks prior to the event. Filming requests made after this time frame may be denied.

Television crews, documentary film crews, video crews and photographers covering the annual event and expo are required to check in immediately at the press room each day and must be accompanied at all times by an IFT staff member when shooting inside the convention center or at one of the off-site meeting locations.

As a courtesy to exhibitors, television and video crews, photographers, and radio reporters must obtain permission from IFT and the specific exhibitor before recording or filming. Release forms must also be provided by the media.

Scientific sessions and student competitions cannot be photographed, filmed or recorded.