Pandemic Causes a “Shift” in Annual Food Technologists' Conference

The annual meeting and exposition of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) was very different this year, as it was virtual, like all other food-related gatherings since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

- Donna Berry

Appropriately renamed SHIFT20, which is suggestive of shifting to a new online format, live presentations, meeting rooms and even socials were held from July 13 to 15, with all presentations, videos and webinars now available on-demand to registered attendees.

The IFT staff and outside vendors managed to create a first-of-its-kind virtual experience, allowing enough time for “exhibitors” to send sampling boxes of prototypes to interested registrants. IFT’s goal when making the switch was to maintain a sense of interaction and collaboration among registrants. This was experienced through the virtual receptions planned by each IFT division, as well as the different social events scheduled for the end of each day, including mixing a custom cocktail with a mixologist, cooking a meal with a sensory scientist and a mid-week dance party.

Attendees were able to contact exhibitors and start video chats using their virtual profiles. The profiles also allowed attendees to follow others and their virtual show engagements. A networking platform offered within the event site provided a matchmaking and solution resource where exhibitors were able to find attendees with targeted interests and contact them to set up a virtual meeting, possibly even send a sampling overnight.