Networking & Socials
Curating Your Social Experience at IFT FIRST
People come to IFT’s annual event and expo for a multitude of different reasons – access to top-notch scientific and business education, innovative solutions, and of course, to attend one of the best food and ingredients shows in North America. But by and far, people flock to the annual event to connect with colleagues, meet new people, and have fun.
IFT FIRST offers a host of networking and social experiences that have been cultivated to leave you feeling energized and connected.
In addition to amazing technical field trips, fun social gatherings, and productive networking events, IFT has made it easier than ever to create the social experience you want with a brand-new offering: The Social Hopper Pass. It provides unlimited access to division socials, mixers and resource group events happening at the Hyatt Regency Chicago the evening of Monday, July 11.
Explore the list of scheduled activities and start making plans to engage and network at IFT FIRST.
Braindate @ IFT FIRST
The opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and networking at IFT FIRST are plentiful, and Braindate gets to the heart of connection—allowing you to meet science of food pros you wouldn’t have met otherwise. New to IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo, Braindate is where you can easily build meaningful connections. Find your next mentor, staffer, or collaborator!
Do you need expertise on a specific topic? Do you have expertise to offer? The Braindate platform allows IFT FIRST non-exhibiting participants the opportunity to meet up face-to-face in the Braindate Lounge in Destination IFT, or via teleconference with a virtual participant. You pick the mutual topic and connect! Braindate is a true hybrid experience.
Non-Ticketed Events – All are welcome to attend
Full event details are available on the IFT FIRST Advanced Program and Expo Planner.
Sunday, July 10
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm | Awards Ceremony |
| 6:15 pm – 7:00 pm | Awards Celebration Reception |
Monday, July 11
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 9:45 am – 10:00 am | IFT FIRST Expo Ribbon Cutting Celebration |
The Social Hopper Pass
Adding a Social Hopper Pass to your IFT FIRST registration for $75 USD gives you unlimited access to 15+ mixers, division socials, and resource group events? Curate your own experience and attend as many activities as you want on Monday, July 11 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Plus, your pass will come with a buffet dinner, wine, beer, and soft drinks.
Pick any combination of these social events!
- DEI Reception hosted by IFT Resource Groups (Women’s Resource Group Social, African American, African, Black Resource Group Social and LGBTQ+ Allies Networking Reception)
- Aquatic Food Products Division Social
- Dairy Foods Division Social
- Sensory & Consumer Sciences Division Social
- Muscle Foods Division Social
- Protein Division Social
- Sustainable Food Systems Division Social
- Carbohydrate Division Social
- Food Chemistry Division Social
- International Division Social
- *Biotechnology, Food Microbiology, and Fruit & Vegetable Products Division Joint Social
- *Food Engineering, Nonthermal Processing, and Food Packaging Division Joint Social
*Denotes joint socials, meaning they team up and host together
Monday, July 11
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm | FIRST Annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Reception hosted by IFT Resource Groups (Women’s Resource Group Social, African American, African, Black Resource Group Social and LGBTQ+ Allies Networking Reception) |
| 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm | Division Socials: Dairy Foods, Aquatic Foods Products, Muscle Foods, Proteins, Sustainable Food Systems, Carbohydrates |
| 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm | New Professionals Mixer (Recent graduates or new professionals in first 10 years of career) |
| 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm | Joint Division Socials: Biotechnology, Food Microbiology, Fruit & Vegetable |
| 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm | Joint Division Socials: Food Packaging, Food Engineering, and Nonthermal Processing |
| 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm | Division Socials: Food Chemistry; Sensory and Consumer Sciences; International |
| 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm | Academic Mixer (Network with members of the academic community) |
Ticketed Activities, Meetings, and Luncheons
Throughout IFT FIRST, attendees can participate in a variety of ticketed events from award celebrations to networking and professional development activities.
Full event details are available on the IFT FIRST Advanced Program and Expo Planner.
Sunday, July 10
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm | Fellows Recognition Forum ($50 USD) |
Monday, July 11
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 4:45 pm – 5:30 pm | Division Networking Reception & Poster Showcase |
Tuesday, July 12
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 7:30 am – 8:30 am | Marketing, Sales & Management Division Breakfast (Members - $45 USD / Students $15 USD) |
| 11:30 am – 1:00 pm | Council of Food Science Administrators (CFSA) Meeting and Lunch ($95 USD) |
| 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm | Food Laws & Regulations, Quality Management, and Toxicology & Safety Evaluation Division Luncheon (Members - $45 USD / Students $15 USD) |
| 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm | Nutraceutical & Functional Foods, Nutrition, and Education, Extension & Outreach Division Luncheon (Members - $45 USD / Students $15 USD) |
| 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm | Refrigerated & Frozen Foods, Product Development, and Foodservice Division Luncheon (Members - $45 USD / Students $15 USD) |
Technical Field Trips and Tours
Supplement all the knowledge and information you are gaining on-site at McCormick Place with field trips where you can tour research labs, observe plant operations and participate in demonstrations. All tours are $50 USD.
Full field trip and tour details are available on the IFT FIRST Advanced Program and Expo Planner.
Monday, July 11
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 8:00 am – 1:00 pm | Technical Field Trip - Knetchel – Tour the facilities of this full-service international food, confectionery, and pharmaceutical consultant firm. |
| 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm | Technical Tour – Explore Imbibe‘s Beverage Innovation Center where custom beverages, flavors and ingredients across beverage categories are created. |
Tuesday, July 12
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 8:00 am – 1:00 pm | Technical Tour – McDonald’s – See the famed Hamburger University and get a glimpse into how this iconic chain approaches menu development and its food journey. |
| 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Technical Tour – The Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH) – The Moffett technical tour showcases the GMP pilot plant where attendees can explore processing and novel technology areas. |
University Receptions
Connect with peers and support your school affiliation by attending networking events held specifically for alumni, students, faculty and supporters.
Full event details are available on the IFT FIRST Advanced Program and Expo Planner.
Monday, July 11
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am – 8:30 am | North Carolina State University Breakfast |
| 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm | University of Illinois Reception |
| 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm | Cornell Food Science Reception |
Tuesday, July 12
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Purdue Social for Alumni and Friends |
Fun Run + Fitness Event
For more than two decades, runners (and walkers) have gathered at IFT’s annual event to get some exercise and raise funds for student scholarships through Feeding Tomorrow, the Foundation of the Institute of Food Technologists. Participate in the run, enjoy a yoga session or simply join in the early morning celebration to cheer on your colleagues and support the next generation of our profession’s future. Learn more.
Monday, July 11
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 6:30 am – 8:00 am | Fun Run + Fitness Fundraiser and Completion Celebration |