AOCS Annual Report — 2009
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Meetings & Exhibits
The AOCS Meetings & Exhibits Department continued its primary purpose in 2009, using its products and services to bring together thousands of people to preview the latest research and discuss current issues within the fats and oils global community. Through cooperation and collaboration with fats and oils groups around the world, AOCS broadens its network and its value for members and constituents.
In 2009, AOCS involved more than 2,000 people throughout the world in the active interchange of knowledge and scientific research:
The highly anticipated 100th Annual Meeting & Expo was held at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida, USA, from May 3–6. Mirroring most industry events in 2009, attendance was somewhat lower than expected due to the uncertain economic climate and H1N1 virus concerns. For the 1,500 people in attendance, a stimulating exchange of theories and research results was made possible through 441 oral presentations and 229 poster presentations. Additionally, nine Hot Topic/General Interest Symposia brought to light key issues such as sustainability, saturated fats and health, soybean genomics, and more, while also off ering a historical look at AOCS and its role in the fats and oils industry. While exhibitions continued to struggle industry-wide, the Annual Meeting Expo surpassed the 2008 numbers, with a total of 98 exhibiting companies and 111 booths sold. In celebration of the 100 years of AOCS, attendees also enjoyed special musical presentations in the expo hall throughout the meeting and a gala celebration featuring paparazzi impersonators and live karaoke.
The informative 2nd International Congress on Biodiesel: The Science and The Technologies was held in Munich, Germany, from October 15–17. The conference addressed the current business conditions facing the industry and provided key scientific information and insights into future technologies in all of the biodiesel categories. Nearly 250 participants were in attendance, lower than the first conference numbers due to the state of the global biodiesel industry. However, post-meeting survey results were very positive with many expressing an interest in a future congress. Comments indicated AOCS serves a niche for this Area and provides scientific information not available elsewhere. A CD featuring the audio and PowerPoint presentations from the conference was produced with nearly 150 copies distributed.
Rounding out the 2009 AOCS meeting off erings, several section- sponsored conferences and short courses were held around the world, attracting over 400 attendees:
• Lipid Oxidation and Antioxidants Short Course
Orlando, Florida, USA
• 8th AOCS Edible Oil Refining Short Course, Orlando, Florida, USA
• New Tools for Surfactant and Polymer Characterization Short Course, Orlando, Florida, USA
• Short Course on Refining, Handling, and Applications of Palm Oil, Cartagena, Colombia
• Lipid Oxidation and Antioxidants Short Course, sponsored by the Australasian Section of AOCS and held in Sydney, Australia
• Practical Edible Oil Refining Short Course: Process Optimization, Equipment and Technology Selection, and Specialty Oils, Sydney, Australia
• 23rd Meeting of the Canadian Section of the AOCS— Fats and Oils Functionality in Processed Foods: From the Fundamentals to the Applied, Toronto, Canada
• Crystallization of Lipids, Nucleation to Application Conference, Toronto, Canada
In a contracted “fee for service” agreement, the AOCS Meetings & Exhibits Department was retained by the Washingtonbased Council for Responsible Nutrition to organize a two-day symposium in Milan, Italy, entitled, Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Isoflavones for Postmenopausal Women. The purpose of the May symposium was to bring together international isoflavone experts to explore relevant animal, human, and epidemiological data. Their primary focus was to evaluate the effects of isoflavones on breast tissue and breast cancer risk and the efficacy ofisofl avones for alleviating menopause-related hot fl ashes. The program included 16 presentations from leading experts and attracted over 60 participants.
In 2009, AOCS involved more than 2,000 people throughout the world in the active interchange of knowledge and scientific research:
The highly anticipated 100th Annual Meeting & Expo was held at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida, USA, from May 3–6. Mirroring most industry events in 2009, attendance was somewhat lower than expected due to the uncertain economic climate and H1N1 virus concerns. For the 1,500 people in attendance, a stimulating exchange of theories and research results was made possible through 441 oral presentations and 229 poster presentations. Additionally, nine Hot Topic/General Interest Symposia brought to light key issues such as sustainability, saturated fats and health, soybean genomics, and more, while also off ering a historical look at AOCS and its role in the fats and oils industry. While exhibitions continued to struggle industry-wide, the Annual Meeting Expo surpassed the 2008 numbers, with a total of 98 exhibiting companies and 111 booths sold. In celebration of the 100 years of AOCS, attendees also enjoyed special musical presentations in the expo hall throughout the meeting and a gala celebration featuring paparazzi impersonators and live karaoke.
The informative 2nd International Congress on Biodiesel: The Science and The Technologies was held in Munich, Germany, from October 15–17. The conference addressed the current business conditions facing the industry and provided key scientific information and insights into future technologies in all of the biodiesel categories. Nearly 250 participants were in attendance, lower than the first conference numbers due to the state of the global biodiesel industry. However, post-meeting survey results were very positive with many expressing an interest in a future congress. Comments indicated AOCS serves a niche for this Area and provides scientific information not available elsewhere. A CD featuring the audio and PowerPoint presentations from the conference was produced with nearly 150 copies distributed.
Rounding out the 2009 AOCS meeting off erings, several section- sponsored conferences and short courses were held around the world, attracting over 400 attendees:
• Lipid Oxidation and Antioxidants Short Course
Orlando, Florida, USA
• 8th AOCS Edible Oil Refining Short Course, Orlando, Florida, USA
• New Tools for Surfactant and Polymer Characterization Short Course, Orlando, Florida, USA
• Short Course on Refining, Handling, and Applications of Palm Oil, Cartagena, Colombia
• Lipid Oxidation and Antioxidants Short Course, sponsored by the Australasian Section of AOCS and held in Sydney, Australia
• Practical Edible Oil Refining Short Course: Process Optimization, Equipment and Technology Selection, and Specialty Oils, Sydney, Australia
• 23rd Meeting of the Canadian Section of the AOCS— Fats and Oils Functionality in Processed Foods: From the Fundamentals to the Applied, Toronto, Canada
• Crystallization of Lipids, Nucleation to Application Conference, Toronto, Canada
In a contracted “fee for service” agreement, the AOCS Meetings & Exhibits Department was retained by the Washingtonbased Council for Responsible Nutrition to organize a two-day symposium in Milan, Italy, entitled, Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Isoflavones for Postmenopausal Women. The purpose of the May symposium was to bring together international isoflavone experts to explore relevant animal, human, and epidemiological data. Their primary focus was to evaluate the effects of isoflavones on breast tissue and breast cancer risk and the efficacy ofisofl avones for alleviating menopause-related hot fl ashes. The program included 16 presentations from leading experts and attracted over 60 participants.
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