As I’m writing this month’s Editor’s Note, I’m working in my office after just reviewing the evaluation forms from the Food Automation & Manufacturing Conference and Expo (FA&M) held in early April.

Food Engineering has been developing conference programs for about 15 years, and while we typically get excellent reviews, I can’t recall another one in our history that’s been this well received. The reviews speak for themselves:

• “The presentations are the best ever in quality”
  
• “Best of the five to six I’ve attended”
  
• “The conference was one of the most professionally run events I have attended”
  
• “Great job as always”
  
• “Best in class” and
  
• “Excellent subjects, speakers and material.”

You may be wondering why I’m tooting our own horn. The reason: Most of you reading this column weren’t there, and I wanted to let you know you’re missing out on a fantastic learning experience and outstanding networking opportunity.

Over the years, FA&M has become an essential event on the yearly calendar for food processors and suppliers alike. Its intimate size allows each attendee to meet every processor or supplier at the event, and the level of professionals attending are able to collaborate and achieve manufacturing solutions, whether they’re in attaining sustainability goals, improving food safety systems or gaining plant efficiency.

I realize busy personal lives and hectic work schedules may preclude many people from attending. I can only urge you to plan now to consider joining us for FA&M 2012 at the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort, in Fort Myers, FL on April 22-25, 2012.

We’ll be working over the summer to once again develop an outstanding program with the industry’s best and brightest speakers. Watch for 2012 program updates in future issues of Food Engineering, and visit our website, www.foodautomation.com, for video clips of past speakers and information about recent programs and expo participants. It’s well worth your time and investment.