Webinars

The list below shows upcoming webinars held by IAFP and IAFP’s Professional Development Groups (PDGs). Please note that all opinions and statements are those of the individual making the presentations and not necessarily the opinion or view of IAFP.

Upcoming Webinars

  • Navigating IAFP Awards: Requirements, Tips, and Best Practices Dec 9, 2025 (11:00 AM- 12:00 PM Eastern Time)

    This webinar is designed to equip IAFP members with the knowledge and tools necessary to successfully apply for awards and recognitions. Through a structured overview of award categories, eligibility requirements, and submission protocols, participants will gain a clear understanding of how to prepare and present strong applications. The session will provide step-by-step guidance on setting up an account, submitting electronic materials, and securing impactful letters of recommendation. Emphasis will be placed on travel awards, common application challenges, and strategic planning to avoid last-minute submissions. By fostering confidence and clarity, this webinar aims to empower both new and returning applicants to engage fully with the awards process and position themselves for recognition within the IAFP community.

    Learning Objectives:

    By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

    1.Understand the purpose and scope of IAFP awards and recognitions a.Identify which awards are available and who is eligible to apply.

    2.Navigate the application process confidently a. Learn how to set up an account and submit required materials electronically. b. Recognize key requirements for a strong application. c. Understand what materials are needed (e.g., letters of recommendation, membership status). d. Clarify who can and cannot apply (e.g., board members, current members). e.Understand how travel awards differ and what to include in those submissions.

    3.Apply best practices for submitting strong applications a. Learn common do’s and don’ts, including timing tips and how to strengthen submissions. b. Know where to find support and resources.

    Presenters
    • Susan Smith, Speaker IAFP
    • Angela Walla, Moderator Texas Tech University
  • Food Safety Culture PDG: Advancing Food Safety Culture Together - A Dialogue Between Auditor and Auditee Jan 13, 2026 (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern Time)

    In this engaging webinar, the Food Safety Culture PDG will host a dialogue between both sides of the audit process. Together, we will explore how audits can not only verify compliance but also serve as a powerful catalyst for cultivating a strong food safety culture.

    Key Objectives:

    • Discuss how food safety culture is evaluated during audits from both auditor and auditee perspectives.
    • Discuss common challenges and opportunities in demonstrating culture through audit processes.
    • Explore strategies to turn audit outcomes into collaborative dialogues that build trust and encourage continuous improvement.

    Key Take-aways:

    • How auditors approach evaluating food safety culture during an audit.
    • The auditee’s perspective: challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned when culture is put to the test.
    • Practical ways both parties can use to build trust and continuous improvement.

    Presenters
    • Brad Shillito, Speaker President/CEO at EAGLE
    • Dr. AI Baroudi VP of Food Safety and quality at The Cheesecake Factory
    • Melody Ge, Moderator Chief Technical Officer at EAGLE
  • Role of Hazard Assessments in Driving Risk-Based Testing Jan 21, 2026 (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern Time)

    In today’s complex food supply chain, microbiological testing is only as effective as the hazard assessment it supports. This webinar will explore how to align testing of food ingredients and products for microbiological contamination with a food safety hazard assessment to verify control of identified hazards. Drawing on real-world examples of misaligned testing programs and the downstream consequences (such as false alarms, inefficient resource use, and public-health risk), attendees will learn an approach to designing specifications and sampling plans that reflect product-, process- and ingredient-specific risks. The session will highlight why “COA-driven” testing without hazard justification can mislead decision-making, and will provide practical steps for linking hazard analysis, microbiological criteria, and testing strategy into a robust verification system.

    Learning Objectives:

    1. Describe the rationale for risk-based testing rather than unsubstantiated hazards

    2. Identify examples of misaligned testing and articulate the implications for food safety management

    3. Understand approaches that link hazard analysis with suitable microbiological specifications and testing programs to effectively control hazards

    Presenters
    • Laurie Post, Speaker Deibel Laboratories
    • Amanda Brookhouser-Sisney, Speaker Midwest Laboratories
    • David Legan, Speaker Eurofins Microbiology
    • Caitlin Karolenko, Moderator Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS)