OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, US — New features at the 129th Annual International Association of Operative Millers’ (IAOM) Conference & Expo will streamline the experience for attendees while offering a packed education program and exhibitors featuring the latest technology.
The event, scheduled for April 29-May 2 at the Omni Oklahoma City and Oklahoma City Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US, is moving to a nearly ticket-free experience. QR codes will be used for on-time awards, session admittance and raffle drawings.
To simplify entry to meals and special events, wristbands will replace paper tickets for breakfasts, lunches and the Allied Trades Event.
“With new features designed to streamline the attendee experience and an education program packed with industry insights, this is an event milling professionals won’t want to miss,” said Melinda Farris, chief executive officer of the IAOM. “We look forward to welcoming industry professionals from around the world to Oklahoma City for another unparalleled networking and educational experience.”
Milling and allied trade professionals from around the world will gather for the three days of education, networking and fellowship. Educational and technical programs will help millers improve yields, productivity, customer satisfaction and safety. Presenters are seasoned professionals in the field who have experienced the issues impacting millers first-hand.
The event also includes an Expo, featuring 140 companies displaying milling and processing equipment as well as related services.
Also new this year is the IMEF Milling Knowledge Challenge, an interactive and educational activity that gives attendees a chance to test their milling skills and knowledge while competing for prizes. Designed as a fundraiser for IMEF, participants can enter with a $25 donation and access challenge questions through the IAOM Event app.
A leaderboard will showcase top scores, and the winner will receive a Golden Ticket, while runners-up will earn additional prizes. The Challenge hub will be located near the IMEF Auction area on the trade show floor.
Educational tracks
Lee Sanders with the Lee Sanders Strategy Group will give the keynote address on new administration policy priorities at 7:30 a.m. on April 30. Prior to starting her own company, Sanders had a 30-year career with the American Bakers Association, most recently serving as ABA’s senior vice president of government relations and public affairs.
Sanders, who played a key role in shaping policies that impact agribusiness, will share insights into how the new US administration’s policies may shape the future of grain milling, trade and regulatory affairs. She will provide an in-depth analysis of legislative and regulatory trends affecting the industry, drawing on her extensive work with the Food and Drug Administration, the US Department of Agriculture and key political associations.
As in past years, the event includes educational programming divided into different topics, including employee management, product protection, technical operations and facility management.
In the employee management track, Stacy Payne, Chelsea Milling, and Eric Knott, Miller Milling, will discuss navigating a multi-generational workforce. Sara Draper, ADM, and Elizabeth Ratzlaff, Bay State Milling, will cover how to create a foundation of teamwork.
For facility management sessions, Andreas Hummel, Termico GmbH, will discuss the principles of heat treatment application for pest control. This environmentally friendly method provides a high rate of effectiveness and is safe for employees.
Tom Lycans, Matrix Technologies, Inc., will examine systems infrastructure for industry 4.0 success while a group of experts will review rail safety and serious injury fatality prevention. The rail safety session will discuss the essential elements of a safety program, including examples of how to address and control the critical hazards involved in handling railcars.
Product protection will include a session on food defense, tampering and recalls by Rod Wheeler, Global Food Defense Institute, and a session on food safety culture by Ben Miller, Acheson Group. Lastly, Eric Meyers, ADM, will discuss the investigation of customer pest complaints.
Technical operations sessions include a new approach to modern mill design by Georg Schafler, Bühler; flow lines and pneumatic conveying systems design by Bulent Ozturk, Cereatech, Inc.; and trends in mill maintenance by Bill Ritchie, Bühler.
Educational programming concludes on May 1 with a discussion on artificial intelligence and the future of automation in milling by Liam Cassidy, Knobelsdorff Electric, and a safety panel discussion. The panel will focus on heat injury and illness prevention and tips for OSHA inspections.
Panelists include Brenda Coughlan, Mennel Milling Co., and David Dougherty, Grain Craft. Topics include effects of heat and heat-related injuries on employee health; conducting heat risk assessments; heat illness mitigation requirements; training; heat emergency response; and state vs. federal requirements.
Full details about the educational sessions may be found at iaom.org/annualmeeting/education.
Special events
The Women in Milling session will feature an interactive discussion led by the leadership team, followed by a reception from 3:30-5 p.m. on April 29. This session welcomes anyone who supports greater diversity in the milling industry and aims to help foster a more inclusive workplace.
The Allied Trades Event will take place April 30 at the Oklahoma Ranch, a dance hall and music venue. The event will feature a live country band, a line dance instructor as well as appetizers, drinks and a shuttle bus for transportation.
Safety Award recipients will be recognized during the annual breakfast 7:30-9 a.m. on April 30. Facilities that have a zero recordable injury/illness rate and have one IAOM member are eligible for the 2024 IAOM Safety Award.
Later that evening, other award recipients will be recognized at the Annual Banquet & Awards Ceremony at the Omni Hotel. The evening starts at 6 p.m. with a reception, followed by dinner and the program that includes the passing of the gavel to the new IAOM president and presentation of the IAOM awards.
Awards include the IAOM Milling Operative of the Year, which recognizes excellent performance by a miller. Established in 1986 by Milling & Baking News, sister publication of World Grain, the award will be presented to the practicing milling operative who has made the most significant contribution to the progress of a plant, a company and the industry from an operating point of view.
The 2024 recipient was Justin Barrett of Ardent Mills LLC.
