Ice Cream Technology Conference

Call for Proposals

This premier event for frozen dessert professionals is the only meeting that focuses specifically on frozen dessert research, technology, and new market trends. The Ice Cream Technology Conference encourages an open exchange among participants and experts on the technical and practical processing issues pertinent to the frozen dessert industry. 

IDFA invites you to submit a proposal for a presentation or panel discussion for the Ice Cream Technology Conference program.

Areas of interest for proposals include, but are not limited to:

• Consumer trends, retail sales and product marketing data;
• Food safety (e.g., pathogen and allergen control), quality, and 3^rd party auditing for frozen desserts;
• Innovations in processing, freezing, and packaging equipment for ice cream and novelties;
• Original responses to constraints imposed by government standards/regulations (e.g., standards of identity)
• Novel ingredients, flavoring, and sweeteners for the ice cream industry; and
• Efficiency, cost saving ideas and sustainability improvements for processing, packaging, sanitation, and distribution.

Please complete the proposal submission form by November 19, 2021. IDFA will contact you if your recommendation is accepted. 

Registration

Registration fees for Dairy Forum are based on your company's IDFA membership status. For more information about membership, please email membership.idfa.org.

Q: Registration Substitutions
Registration is non-transferable from one company to another; however, substitutions within companies are welcome at any time. Please email registrar@idfa.org if you would like to make a registration substitution.

Q: Registration Cancellation Policy
Registration cancellations received in writing will be accepted prior to March 1, 2022 for a full refund, minus a $75 processing fee. Cancellations received after March 1, 2022, will be eligible for a 50 percent refund, less the processing fee. Your registration fee is non-refundable after March 15, 2022. Substitutions may be made without penalty. All cancellations and substitutions must be received in writing at registrar@idfa.org.

Q: News Media
Credentialed members of the news media are welcome to register at a special rate by contacting mherrick@idfa.org. News media must present credentials to qualify.

Questions: If you have questions or need assistance with the registration process, please contact IDFA at (202) 737-4332 or registrar@idfa.org.

Innovative Flavor Contest

This popular competition offers the opportunity for ice cream and frozen dessert makers, as well as flavoring suppliers, to showcase their latest ice cream flavors and novelties.

All conference attendees are invited to submit one entry to compete in each of the three categories:

• Most Innovative Ice Cream Flavor
• Most Innovative Ice Cream Novelty 
• Most Innovative Prototype Ice Cream Flavor 

Awards will be given for first-, second- and third-place winners in each category, judged by conference attendees, and winners will be featured in an upcoming edition of Dairy Foods magazine.

To submit an entry, complete the contest entry form no later than March 15, 2022. Please contact rgleeson@idfa.org with any questions. 

Sponsored by:

Guidelines for Contest Submissions

• A company representative must register for the Ice Cream Technology Conference to participate.
• Limit of one (1) entry per company, per category.
• Please plan for your product submission to arrive between March 24 and March 28. If your product is received after March 28, we cannot guarantee that your entry will be included in the contest.
• Please send the equivalent of at least one (1) gallon of ice cream per category entry. For ice cream novelties, please send at least twenty-four (24) pieces for each entry.
• The ice cream MUST be in an unmarked container, except for the lid.
• Novelties should use plain wrappers, if possible. The lid or the outside of the novelty box MUST have the company name and the flavor.
• Be sure to pack the shipment well, wrapping each container in bubble wrap or paper to help protect it from damage during the extreme cold temperature of the dry ice.
• The box MUST be clearly marked "Must Be Kept Frozen" and "IDFA Ice Cream Contest".
• A shipping label will be provided – please complete and attach the label to your shipped box(es).
• Once the product is shipped, email rgleeson@idfa.org with the information below. If you do not email the required information, we cannot guarantee that your entry will be included in the contest.

1. Tracking number
2. Arrival date
3. Submission name and product type
4. Company contact attending the conference
   
   

Sponsors

The Ice Cream Technology Conference delivers high value and an opportunity to engage with more top-level decision makers than ever before — including executives, plant managers, regulatory compliance personnel, product development specialists, research and development professionals, quality assurance staff, plant engineers, and operations personnel.

Sponsorship is one of the best ways to brand your organization as a thought-leader and to highlight your commitment to advancing the dairy industry. IDFA offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities.

Please contact mlembke@idfa.org for more information.