19th NAMC update let's get started.

The 19th NAMC business program will focus attention on developing and recurring issues, as well as problems in search of solutions. Owners and growers from around the world will share the challenges and successes of mushroom farming from their own unique perspective. Experts in the field will discuss global trends, nutrition marketing, food safety and legislative issues. Be sure to join us next month as we begin Charting the Course for the years to come.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19

The business session will kick off with a welcome by Conference Chairman Jim Angelucci, Phillips Mushroom Farms. Murray O'Neil, Highline Mushrooms and Co-Chair of the 1st NAMC, will give a brief history of the conferences.

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Monday's program includes the Andrew O'Neil Memorial Lecture by Ralph Noble, Warwick University, Horticulture Research International. Keys to Farm Survival in a Changing Environment is the topic for the rest of the day. International consultant and Mushroom News columnist Ray Samp will moderate the morning and afternoon sessions and will give his own perspective on worldwide mushroom success stories. Hank VanderPol, Rol-land Farms Ltd., will discuss the Canadian perspective; Chris Alonzo, Pietro Industries, Carla Blackwell McKinney, C.J. Mushroom Co. and Greg McLain, Kitchen Pride Mushrooms, will share insights from the United States; Pat Walsh will talk about the challenges of mushroom farming and composting in the United Kingdom. Additional speakers will add further industry perspectives.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Elizabeth Sloan, President, Sloan Trends, Inc. will discuss global food trends and the role of nutrition in marketing on Tuesday morning. She will also moderate a panel discussion on Marketing and Promotion Worldwide with representatives from the Mushroom Council, Canadian Mushroom Growers' Association (CMGA) and the Australian Mushroom Growers Association (AMGA). Jan Delyser, Vice President of Marketing for the California Avocado Commission, will share that commodity's marketing success story. Jim Gorney, Senior Vice President Quality Assurance & Technology, United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association (United), will give a food safety, regulatory and legal perspective on crop production in the afternoon. Joe Caldwell, Monterey Mushrooms, will discuss a food safety recall. Rounding out the afternoon session will be additional "real life" stories from the produce industry.

For more information on the program, registration, hotel reservations, Expo booth space, sponsorship or any other questions, contact the AMI Washington office at 202/842-4344 or go to the AMI Web site, www.americanmushroom.org and click on 19th NAMC, to download registration forms.

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