2023 MCAFDO Annual Educational Conference, environmental sampling workshops, & heartland food safety Roundtable meeting
February 21-22, 2023
Embassy Suites by Hilton Norman Hotel & Conference Center
2501 Conference Drive
Norman, OK 73069
Phone: (405) 364-8040
About
The 2023 Mid-Continental Association of Food and Drugs Officials (MCAFDO) Annual Educational Conference (AEC) will be held February 21-22, 2023. In addition, MCAFDO is partnering with the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) to provide two individual workshops related to environmental sampling. The environmental sampling workshops will be hosted the day before and the day after the Annual Educational Conference. The first workshop will be held on Monday, February 20, 2023 and the second will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The Environmental Sampling workshops are limited to 30 attendees per session. Workshop sessions will last from approximately 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Registrations for the Environmental Sampling workshops must be made in advance and walk-in registrations will only be accepted on a space availability basis. Conference and environmental sampling workshop agendas are provided at the bottom of this webpage for download and viewing.
Heartland Food Safety Roundtable
The Heartland Food Safety Roundtable will also be hosted and held on Tuesday morning, February 21, 2023 from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. The Heartland Food Safety Roundtable meeting consists of State, Local, Regional, and/or Federal regulatory personnel as well as representatives from industry such as food manufacturers (human food and animal food), retail food establishments, and/or food service establishments. The Heartland Food Safety Roundtable is an open forum meeting for hot topics, issues, and updates in the world of food safety for local and national food industry and regulatory professionals. Scroll to the bottom of this page to find an informational flyer about this year’s roundtable meeting. No registration, or fees, are required for attending the Heartland Food Safety Roundtable meeting.
Environmental Sampling Workshops
Workshop #1 – Monday, February 20, 2023 – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm – Maximum 30 attendees
Register Here!
Workshop #2 – Thursday, February 23, 2023 – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm – Maximum 30 attendees
Register Here!
Both workshops will be hosted at the Embassy Suites Norman Hotel and Conference Center, Norman, OK. All workshop activities will be conducted on site at the hotel during the day of the workshop. Individuals planning to attend the workshops can book a room at the Embassy Suites Norman Hotel and Conference Center at the contracted room rate for MCAFDO.
Travel Authorization
- Environmental Sampling Workshop #1 on February 20, 2023 & MCAFDO Educational Conference
- Arrive – Sunday, February 19, 2023
- Depart – Wednesday or Thursday, February 22-23, 2023
- MCAFDO Educational Conference Only – February 21-22, 2023
- Arrive – Monday, February 20, 2023
- Depart – Wednesday or Thursday, February 22-23, 2023
- MCAFDO Educational Conference & Environmental Sampling Workshop #2 on Thursday, February 23, 2023
- Arrive – Monday, February 20, 2023
- Depart – Friday, February 24, 2023
Travel Funding Opportunities
MCAFDO has re-applied for the FDA’s Scientific Small Conference Grant. Grant funds were recently awarded and MCAFDO intends to offer scholarship funding to eligible State and/or Local (non-federal employees) agencies to aid and assist with travel costs. Upon request and availability of funds, eligible agencies and/or individuals can request reimbursement for travel costs in conjunction with the 2023 MCAFDO Conference and Environmental Sampling Workshops. Scholarships for reimbursement of travel costs include expenses such as lodging, mileage, air fare, baggage fees, taxi fees, and similar travel expenses. Reimbursements cannot be issued for meals, conference registrations, membership fees, and/or incidental expenses.
Registration
The following are the corresponding registration fees for the MCAFDO Conference and/or the Environmental Sampling Workshop events:
- Environmental Sampling Workshop #1or #2 only (Limited to 30 participants) – $50.00
- MCFADO Conference Only – $175.00
- Environmental Sampling Workshop & MCAFDO Conference – $225.00
A paid registration for the MCAFO Conference and/or Environmental Sampling Workshop includes a complimentary 2023 MCAFDO membership. Attendees should register for the MCAFDO conference and/or Environmental Sampling workshop no later than Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Individuals will need to register for workshops and the conference separately.
On-line early registrations for the Annual Educational Conference will be accepted through Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Individual walk-in registrations for the MCAFDO conference will be accepted at the door during the first day of the conference; however, they will be subject to payment at the late registration rate ($175.00 + $75.00 = $250.00 total per person). Walk-in registrations for the Environmental Sampling workshops will only be accepted on a space available basis. Each Environmental Sampling workshop will be limited to a total of 30 participants, which will be reserved on a first come, first served basis.
Registration Payments
Agencies or individuals may pay for registrations via PayPal using a major credit card. Registration payment(s) can be made at the time the on-line registration form is completed, or at a later date. The on-line registration page will include a direct link to PayPal for those who wish to pay for their registration(s) via electronic payment. A PayPal account is not required to make a payment through PayPal and individuals may use the guest checkout to complete their payment(s). Individuals completing on-line registration will automatically be e-mailed an invoice for the registration fee(s). Registration payments made/received after Tuesday, January 31, 2023 will not be charged at the late registration rate providing the on-line registration is made prior to the cut-off date of January 31, 2023.
Agencies or individuals wishing to pay via check or money order can submit payments directly to Scott Platt, MCAFDO Secretary/Treasurer, PO Box 329, University Park, IA 52595. Check or money orders shall be made payable to MCAFDO. When submitting a single check for multiple individuals, please include a note, memorandum, or copies of individual registration invoices with the names of individuals whom payment is being issued for.
Agencies or individuals wishing to pay for registrations via a Purchase Order Agreement (POA) should contact Scott Platt, Secretary/Treasurer, to make arrangements. Scott Platt can be contacted at the following e-mail or telephone number: Scott.Platt@dia.iowa.gov or (515) 669-3953.
Conference or workshop attendees may also pay for registration fees at the door; however, advanced payment is encouraged. MCAFDO will accept the following forms of payments at the door on the first day of the conference: credit card, debit card, cash, check, or money orders. Credit card or debit card payments will be processed via PayPal.
Late Registration & Fees (Conference Only)
Conference registrations made on/or after Wednesday, February 1, 2023 will incur an additional late fee of $75.00. Late registration fees will only apply to MCAFDO Conference registrations and not the Environmental Sampling workshops. Late registration fees for the MCAFDO Conference and/or Environmental Sampling workshop are as follows:
- MCAFDO Conference & Environmental Sampling Workshop #1 or #2 + Late Fees – $300
- MCAFDO Conference Only – $250
Registration Cancelations and Refund Requests
Please note registration fees will not be refunded after Monday, February 13, 2023. Another individual may be sent in place of the original registrant. Please contact Scott Platt, Secretary/Treasurer to cancel registrations and/or arrange for registration fee refunds.
- Scott Platt, Secretary/Treasurer – (515) 669-3953 or scott.platt@dia.iowa.gov
Hotel Accommodations
A block of hotel rooms have been secured at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Norman Hotel & Conference Center, Norman, OK
A group rate of $104 per night (subject to change based upon the current Government Per Diem rate), plus tax (13.75%), is available for single occupancy rooms (cost per night is estimated at $118.30). The hotel may elect to apply extra charges per person for two or more guests sharing the same guestroom. The group rate will be honored from Sunday, February 19 to Thursday, February 23, 2023 based upon rate and space availability. The cut-off date for making hotel reservations is Sunday, January 29, 2023. Reservation requests received after the cut-off date will be accepted on a space available basis, or at the rate available at that time.
Reservations can be made using the provided personalized group web page link (a valid credit card is required), or via telephone (1-800-EMBASSY) and mentioning the group code/name (MCF):
All guest rooms are two room suites and include complimentary breakfast buffet each morning and 2 hours of complimentary cocktails at the evening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Hotel guests will also receive complimentary parking and standard Wi-Fi in sleeping rooms and meeting spaces.
Guestroom types will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment for room and tax and all incidental charges is due in full upon check out. Please check with the hotel to determine methods of accepted payment and room cancellation requirements.
Guest accommodations will be available at 4:00 pm on arrival day and reserved until 12:00 am on departure day. Guests desiring a special consideration for late checkout should inquire with the hotel desk on the day of departure. Embassy Suites may impose a half-day rate for late checkout.
Complete information about the Embassy Suites Norman Hotel and Conference Center, to include services, amenities, dinning, and etc. can be found at their web page: Embassy Suites by Hilton Norman Hotel & Conference Center, Norman, OK
Dining & Meals
The Embassy Suites Norman Hotel & Conference Center offers a complimentary breakfast buffet each morning and 2 hours of complimentary cocktails at the evening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 pm for hotel guests. Additionally, the hotel has an on-site marketplace café and grille which are available to all visitors. These food establishments serve American-style foods and spirits throughout the day.
A list of other nearby dining options approximate to the hotel can be found at the following TripAdvisor web link: Restaurants near Embassy Suites Norman Hotel & Conference Center.
Lunch will be provided on Wednesday, February 22nd in conjunction with the 2023 MCAFDO Annual Educational Conference and this cost will be included in the conference registration fee. Please communicate any special dietary needs at the time you register,or contact Justin McConaghy at (405) 522-3928 or Justin.McConaghy@ag.ok.gov.
Airport & Ground Transportation Information
Will Rogers World Airport (OKC)
Will Rogers World Airport is the closest airport option in proximity to the 2023 MCAFDO Conference site. Will Rogers World Airport is approximately twenty miles from the Embassy Suites Norman Hotel and Conference Center. Estimated travel time from Will Rogers World Airport to the conference hotel site is 25 to 30 minutes. There are a number of ground transportation services to the conference hotel site such as taxi, rental car, shuttles, ride share, etc.
Use the following web links to access additional information about ground transportation services available at Will Rogers World Airport:
Access to the Google Map of this area: Click Here
Special Needs
MCAFDO will strive to provide reasonable accommodations to all attendees with disabilities or special needs. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the conference or workshops due to medical conditions, physical limitations, particular learning challenges, or dietary restrictions please include this information on your registration form. You may also notify Justin McConaghy, MCAFDO President, at the following prior to the meeting: (405) 522-3928 or justin.mcConaghy@ag.ok.gov.
Silent Auction
Each year MCAFDO hosts a silent auction to aid in raising funds. Proceeds from the silent auction have recently been used to make a charitable contribute to the AFDO Endowment Fund and to defray conference costs. Help make this year’s silent auction a huge success by donating a souvenir, keepsake gift or novelty item, or by bidding on any item in the auction. Have fun and show your support!
- Winning:
- All bids will close at a designated time during the afternoon of Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
- Silent auction items will be awarded to the highest bidder for that item.
- Bidders may pay for silent auction items via cash, personal check, or credit/debit card (via PayPal).
Agendas
Current MCAFDO Conference Agenda – click here
Environmental Sampling Workshops Agenda – click here
Heartland Food Safety Roundtable Flyer – click here
W-9 Form
To view / download MCAFDO’s W-9 form, click here.
“Funding for the conference and workshop events were made possible, in part, by the Food and Drug Administration through grant 5 R13 FD006894-04. The views expressed in written training materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.