2025 MCAFDO Annual Educational Conference, and Heartland Food Safety Roundtable Meeting
SAVE THE DATE
We’re excited to announce that our annual conference will now be held virtually, making it more accessible than ever. Mark your calendars for these important dates:
Heartland Round Table: December 1st, 2025
Main Conference: December 2nd – 4th, 2025
WHERE
Virtual Meeting
Price
$25 per attendee
Registration details coming soon. Stay tuned for updates!
2025 MCAFDO Annual Educational Conference, Heartland Food Safety Roundtable Meeting, and Workshops
December 2-4, 2025
Virtual
About the 2025 Conference
The 2025 Mid-Continental Association of Food and Drugs Officials (MCAFDO) Annual Educational Conference (AEC) will be held December 2-4, 2025. MCAFDO will co-host the Heartland Food Safety Roundtable discussion.
The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) has reviewed and approved MCAFDO’s conference agenda for 10.5 continuing education credit hours. CEU forms will be distributed during the conference to individuals interested in obtaining CEUs.
Registration Fees & Deadlines
* Due to postponement, conference and workshop registrations rates may be subject to change. Registration rates will be updated if new rates are imposed.
The following are the corresponding registration fees for the Conference and/or Workshop events:
| Early Registration (Until Nov. 3rd) | Late Registration ( Nov. 4th and after) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 MCAFDO Conference | $300 | $325 | Register now |
| Registration (Until Nov. 21st) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Instructor Skills Workshop (Up to 100 individuals) | — | $50 | Register now |
| PACE Pallett Workshop (Up to 28 Registrants) | — | $75 | Register now |
2025 MCAFDO Conference Registration
Early
$300
(Till Feb. 10th)
Late
$335
(After Feb. 11th)
Instructor Skills Workshop
Regular
$50
(Till Feb. 21st)
PACE Pallett Workshop
Regular
$75
(Till Feb. 21st)
No early or late registrations for workshops. The last day to register for workshops is Friday, November 21, 2025.
Walk-in registrations will be accepted at the door on the first day of the conference. These registrations will be charged the late registration rate.
Policies
Conference registrations made on or after the determined cut-off date will incur an additional late fee of $25.00. Late registration fees for the MCAFDO Conference are as follows:
- MCAFDO Conference = $300.00 + $25.00 = $325.00
Please note registration fees will not be refunded after November 21, 2025. Another individual may be sent in place of the original registrant. To cancel registrations and/or arrange for registration fee refunds, please contact Scott Platt, Secretary/Treasurer at (515) 669-3953 or scott.platt@dia.iowa.gov.
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 may pay for registrations through the event registration website using a major credit or debit card. Registration payment(s) can be made at the time the online registration form(s) are completed, or at a later date. Individuals completing online registration(s) will automatically be emailed an invoice for each separate registration fee(s). Registration payments made/received after the determined early registration date will not be charged at the late registration rate provided the online registration is made before the deadline date (November 3, 2025).
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 AffiniPay or PayPal.
2025 MCAFDO Conference Agenda
2025 Heartland Food Safety Roundtable
The Heartland Food Safety Roundtable is anticipated to be held on Tuesday morning, December 2, 2025, from 9:00 am to 11:00 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. Attendance of the Heartland Food Safety Roundtable is optional and registration is not required to attend this meeting.
2025 MCAFDO Workshops
MCAFDO will be hosting two separate post conference workshops on Thursday, December 4, 2025. Each workshop requires a separate registration. See the agenda documents below for additional details.
Instructor Skills Workshop
Download Skills Workshop Agenda
PACE Pallett Workshop
Travel & Hotel Information
Hotel Accommodations
A block of hotel rooms has been secured at the Holiday Inn Riverwalk, San Antonio, TX. A valid credit card is required to make and hold reservations. Cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to arrival in order to avoid a charge of one night’s room and tax.
Holiday Inn Riverwalk
217 N. St. Mary’s Street, San Antonio, TX 78205
No free breakfast
Complete information about amenities, dining, check-in/out times, etc. can be found on the Holiday Inn Riverwalk website.
Residence Inn Omaha Aksarben Village
1717 South 67th Street, Omaha, NE
Free breakfast
Complete information about amenities, dining, check-in/out times, etc. can be found on the Residence Inn website.
Reservations can also be made via telephone by calling the 24-hour reservation phone number at (210) 224-2500, Option 2, and referencing the group code/name “MSM”
A group rate of $161 per night (subject to change based upon the current Government Per Diem rate), plus tax (16.75% + 1.25% TPID per night), is available for single/double occupancy rooms. Triple or quadruple occupancy will include an additional fee of $10 per person, per night. The estimated room cost for single/double occupancy room per night with tax and fees is $189.98. Group room rates are available from Sunday, March 2, 2025 to Friday, March 7, 2025. The cut-off date for making hotel reservations is Monday, November 10, 2025. Reservation requests received after the cut-off date may be accepted on a space-available basis, or at the Hotel’s standard, then current rates and availability at that time.
Room rates may be adjusted to the prevailing 2026 federal fiscal year per diem rates.
When using the on-line reservation option, please note that the group rate of $161 will be presented as $163 on the website, which is inclusive of the tourism fee (TPID 1.25%).
Complimentary concessions include the following:
- Complimentary Wi-Fi guestroom and meeting room space
- $24.00 per day self-parking, with unlimited in and out privileges
- Complimentary 24-hour business center
- Complimentary fitness center
Guestroom types will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment for room, tax, and all incidental charges is due in full upon checkout. Please check with the hotel to determine methods of accepted payment and room cancellation requirements. Guests desiring special consideration for late checkout should inquire with the hotel desk on the day of arrival and/or departure. Additional fees may be applicable depending upon the hotel’s individual policies.
Travel Authorization
MCAFDO Educational Conference Only
Arrive – Monday, December 1, 2025
Depart – Wednesday or Thursday, December 3 or 4, 2025
MCAFDO Educational Conference & WORKSHOPS – December 2-4, 2025
Arrive – Monday, December 1, 2025
Depart – Thursday or Friday, December 4 or 5, 2025
Travel Funding Opportunities
We regret to announce that FDA has informed MCAFDO that federal funding of the Scientific Small Conference Grant is not being supported and thus MCAFDO will not be able to offer travel scholarships.
MCAFDO has re-applied for the FDA’s Scientific Small Conference Grant. If awarded, 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 2025 MCAFDO Conference and Workshops. Scholarships for reimbursement of travel costs include expenses such as lodging, mileage, airfare, baggage fees, taxi fees, and similar travel expenses. Reimbursements cannot be issued for meals, conference registrations, membership fees, and/or incidental expenses. If you, or your agency, plan to utilize the travel reimbursement opportunity, please take time to complete the 2025 MCAFDO Travel Scholarship Application. Requests for travel reimbursement will be handled on a first-serve basis and availability of funding. MCAFDO does not guarantee a request for full funding can be honored.
Travel Scholarship Application
Airport & Ground Transportation
There are 2 airports near the conference site in Omaha. More detailed information can be viewed below:
San Antonio International Airport is the closest airport option in proximity to the 2025 MCAFDO Conference site. San Antonio International Airport is approximately nine miles from the Holiday Inn Riverwalk hotel. The estimated travel time from the airport to the conference site and hotel is 15 to 30 minutes depending upon traffic. There are a number of ground transportation services to the hotel site such as taxis, rental cars, shuttles, ride share, etc.
Use the following web links to access additional information about ground transportation services available at San Antonio International Airport:
- Rental Cars
- Public Transportation
- Hotel Shuttles
- Taxi Service
- Ride App Pickup (Uber, Lyft, Wingz, Wridz)
Google Map directions from San Antonio International Airport to the conference hotel location
Lunch will be provided on Wednesday, March 5th in conjunction with the final day of the 2025 MCAFDO Annual Educational Conference and this cost will be included in the conference registration fee.
Dining Near the Holiday Inn Riverwalk
TripAdvisor link to restaurants near the Holiday Inn Riverwalk
A list of nearby dining options approximate to the hotels and conference center.
Windows on the River Restaurant & Lounge
Link to Restaurant and Lounge website
This restaurant features spectacular views of the Riverwalk along with American and Tex Mex cuisine. Hours are Monday through Sunday, from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The restaurant also offers in room dining.
Mugg’s Coffee Experience
Located in the main lobby across from the front desk, Mugg’s features one of a kind “Coffee Experience.” The cafe also serves muffins, pastries, sandwiches, salads, fruits, cold beverages, snacks, ice cream, and sundries. Hours of operation are 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Lunch on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025
A buffet style lunch will be provided on Wednesday, December 3rd in conjunction with the 2025 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 Davonna Koebrick at (512) 231-5783 or Davonna.Koebrick@dshs.texas.gov.
The anticipated lunch menu for Wednesday, December 3rd is the following:
- To be determined
Complimentary
MCAFDO Membership
MCAFDO 2025 annual membership fees will be waived with your paid MCAFDO conference and/or workshop registration(s). Annual memberships purchased before registration for the conference and/or workshop events are not eligible for refunds.
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 contribution 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!
About Winning
- All bids will close at a designated time during the afternoon of Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
- 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. Credit/debit card payments will be processed via AffiniPay or PayPal.
FAQ
Explore our frequently asked questions about the conference. If your question is not answered here, feel free to send us a message and we’ll do our best to help you get the answers.
MCAFDO will strive to provide reasonable accommodations to all attendees with disabilities or special needs. If you need 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 Davonna Koebrick, MCAFDO President, at the following before the meeting: (512) 231-5783 or davonna.koebrick@dshs.texas.gov.
Conference or workshop attendees may pay for registration fees at the door if they have registered in advance; 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 AffiniPay or PayPal.
Please note registration fees will not be refunded after November 21, 2025. Another individual may be sent in place of the original registrant. To cancel registrations and/or arrange for registration fee refunds, please contact Scott Platt, Secretary/Treasurer at (515) 669-3953 or scott.platt@dia.iowa.gov.
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.
Funding for the conference was made possible, in part, by the Food and Drug Administration through grant 5 R13 FD006894-05. 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.
For more questions, please contact Scott Platt at scott.platt@dia.iowa.gov.