IAFP | International Association for Food Protection 2026
Event Date
July 26–29, 2026
Location
New Orleans, LA
Expected Exhibitors
140
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryIAFP 2026, the Annual Meeting of the International Association for Food Protection, is widely regarded as the world's leading food safety conference. The International Association for Food Protection will hold IAFP 2026 July 26–29 in New Orleans, Louisiana, featuring hundreds of technical papers, posters, and symposia detailing current information on a variety of topics relating to food safety.
The meeting draws a global, science-focused audience. Top industry, academic, and government food safety professionals are expected to be in attendance, and the broad mix of attendees includes professionals in quality control, processing operations, regulatory inspections, food safety consulting, and risk assessment. The IAFP Annual Meeting has earned recognition as the leading food safety conference worldwide and is attended by top industry, academic, and governmental food safety professionals.
Beyond the presentations, the program blends education, networking, and an exhibit hall. In addition to the science-based presentations, the four-day meeting includes committee and Professional Development Group (PDG) meetings and an awards banquet, and more than 140 companies exhibit their products and services throughout most of the conference. Attendees leave with the latest science, practical solutions, and connections across the global food safety community.
Show Highlights
Signature program features include:
- Symposia on emerging topics — sample symposium topics include AI-Powered Food Safety: Predictive Modeling, Pathogen Detection, and Beyond; Building a Data-Driven Culture Today for Safer Food Tomorrow; Food Chemical Safety Assessment: How & Why; Mixed Signals: The Prevalence and Risks of Multi-Genotype Pathogen Contamination; Technologies for Improving Recall Management in Retail & Foodservice; and The Key Performance Indicators of Food Safety Training.
- The John H. Silliker Lecture — the Annual John H. Silliker Lecture is presented on Wednesday afternoon, featuring Dr. Ruth Petran, Ruth Petran Consulting, LLC, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Pre-Meeting Workshops — for additional educational opportunities, IAFP 2026 presents five Pre-Meeting Workshops on July 23, July 24, and July 25.
- Exhibit Hall — the meeting showcases more than 140 companies and organizations demonstrating the latest products and technologies in the Exhibit Hall.
- Networking — committee and Professional Development Group (PDG) meetings, a welcome reception, and an awards banquet.
Attendance
The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) represents more than 4,000 food safety professionals committed to Advancing Food Safety Worldwide, with members representing more than 70 countries. The Annual Meeting itself gathers thousands of food safety professionals from around the globe, spanning industry, academia, and government.
Registration
Registration and housing are open through the official IAFP website. Registration and housing are now open via the Association website at foodprotection.org.
Full-conference registration covers the core program. Registration includes the Welcome Reception, Opening Session featuring the Ivan Parkin Lecture, symposia, technical sessions, poster presentations, exhibit hall admittance, meals and breaks as scheduled, and the Closing Session featuring the John H. Silliker Lecture.
Approximate 2026 rates (Early / Late; late rates effective July 3, 2026):
- IAFP Member (High Income): $740 / $840
- IAFP Student Member: $140 / $160
- IAFP Member One-Day (Mon, Tue, or Wed): $415 / $465
- Non-Member: $1,050 / $1,150
- Non-Member One-Day: $610 / $660
Member and registration rates are based on the World Bank Income Classification by country of residence, so additional tiers apply. Cancellation policy: registration fees, less an administration fee and applicable bank charges, are refunded for written cancellations received by July 2, 2026; no refunds are made after that date, though registrations may be transferred.
History
The IAFP Annual Meeting is the flagship gathering of the International Association for Food Protection. IAFP represents more than 4,000 food safety professionals committed to Advancing Food Safety Worldwide, including educators, government officials, microbiologists, food industry executives, and quality control professionals involved in all aspects of growing, storing, transporting, processing, and preparing all types of foods. The meeting rotates among major U.S. cities each summer; upcoming host cities include Kansas City, Missouri (2027), Charlotte, North Carolina (2028), and Denver, Colorado (2029).
Exhibitors
Exhibitor Information
Detailed exhibitor list is being compiled. Check back soon or visit the official show website for the most current information.
Venue & Travel
Venue
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
900 Convention Center Blvd.
The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center sits on the banks of the Mississippi River near the French Quarter and Arts District. In addition to the 1.1 million sq. ft. of exhibition space and 140 meeting rooms, The Great Hall offers a 60,300 sq. ft. divisible, column-free ballroom. Its 1.1 million square feet of exhibit space can be divided into 12 halls.
It is one of the nation's largest and busiest facilities — with its 1.1 million square feet of space in one hall, it has the largest single exhibit space in the U.S., and has become one of the Top 10 hosts for conventions and trade shows in the country since it opened in 1985. Additional spaces include the 4,032-seat New Orleans Theater, the 36,000-sq-ft La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom, and the Great Hall's rooftop terrace. High-density Wi-Fi is capable of serving 20,000 users simultaneously. The center is currently undergoing a multi-year, roughly $557 million modernization of roofing, technology, lobbies and a new linear park.
Parking
The Convention Center owns and operates multiple parking lots on the south end of the building, across from Halls H, I, and J. The daily rate is approximately $23.00 per vehicle and $42.00 per oversized vehicle, with no in-and-out privileges. The venue is cashless, and parking fees are paid through the ParkMobile app. Ample ADA parking is available; overnight parking is prohibited. Several privately operated lots and garages are also located within a short walk along Convention Center Boulevard and nearby streets.
Getting There
The nearest airport is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). The Louis Armstrong International Airport is 13 miles from the MCC. Taxis, rideshare and airport shuttle service connect the airport to downtown hotels.
Public transit stops directly at the venue: the W-2, W-3, and W-8 buses stop directly in front of the convention center, as does the Riverfront Streetcar Line (Route 2). The center's walkable riverfront location also makes it easy to reach the French Quarter and Warehouse District on foot.
Nearby Hotels
The convention center is within walking distance of thousands of hotel rooms in the Warehouse/Arts District and toward the French Quarter. The MCC is within walking distance of thousands of hotel rooms in and around the French Quarter and Arts District. Options steps from the venue include:
- Hyatt Place New Orleans Convention Center — across the street from the venue, offering business-class amenities.
- Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans Convention Center — directly across the street from the convention center on Convention Center Boulevard.
ASSP also arranges a discounted hotel block for attendees, bookable through the official conference housing portal.
Contact
Show Management
International Association for Food Protection
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is IAFP 2026 held?
IAFP 2026 takes place July 26–29, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center at 900 Convention Center Blvd.
Who should attend the IAFP Annual Meeting?
It is designed for top industry, academic, and government food safety professionals, including people in quality control, processing operations, regulatory inspections, food safety consulting, and risk assessment. The IAFP Annual Meeting is recognized as the leading food safety conference worldwide.
How do I register and what does it cost?
Registration and housing are open through foodprotection.org. Approximate 2026 rates run from $740 (early) for an IAFP high-income member to $1,050 (early) for a non-member, with student and one-day options available; late rates take effect July 3, 2026.
What is included in the program?
IAFP 2026 features hundreds of technical papers, posters, and symposia, plus committee and Professional Development Group meetings and an awards banquet. Five pre-meeting workshops are offered on July 23–25, and more than 140 companies exhibit in the Exhibit Hall.
How do I get to the venue and where can I park?
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is about 15 miles and a 30–45 minute drive away, with streetcar, bus, taxi, and rideshare access to the convention center. The center operates cashless parking via the ParkMobile app at about $23 per vehicle daily ($42 oversized).
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