The Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors to Host Annual Convention and Trade Show
Middleton, WI – The Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors (WAMP) will host the 84th Annual WAMP Convention on April 13-16, 2023, at the Marriott Madison West-Middleton, WI. The convention hosts meat processors primarily from the state of Wisconsin, as well as industry suppliers to the meat industry.
The WAMP convention will kick off on Thursday, April 13, with a Pre-convention workshop hosted by the University of Wisconsin – Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery. The workshop focus is “Technology and Automation Working for You.” It will include demonstrations of equipment used in harvesting and further processing, and speakers will discuss implementation of automation in a meat processing facility.
On Friday, April 14, the event continues with educational sessions on: “Exporting Your Meat Products,” “WI DATCP [Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection] Updates,” and “Improving Your Business Efficiencies with Outside Services.” The Trade Show showcases more than 80 vendors with goods and services for meat processing establishments on Friday afternoon.
The WI Specialty Meat Championships are held during the convention and is one of the largest meat competitions of its kind. This prestigious competition includes 34 classes of fresh and processed meats. Award are presented for each class as well as three overall awards.
The convention continues Saturday, April 15, with additional time at the Trade Show and educational sessions: “Changing the Culture of a Business,” “Retail Marketing and Creating Efficiencies” and “When to Buy, When to Lease.” The WI Specialty Meat Championships awards will be presented during the WAMP Annual Meeting on Saturday afternoon.
New for 2023: WAMP is offering Meat Science curriculum students to participate in the WAMP Convention (university, tech/community college, high school). Contact the WAMP office for a Student Registration form.
If you have an interest in the meat industry and attending the WAMP Convention, please see a detailed schedule and register at https://wi-amp.com/ or contact WAMP at 608-636-0639/email [email protected]. A WAMP membership is required to attend the convention. Join today at https://wi-amp.com/.
For more information, please contact Dianne Handsaker, WAMP Executive Secretary, at 608-636-0639; [email protected].
2023 WAMP Scholarship Application
Deadline: March 1, 2023
ELIGIBILITY & PURPOSE: To promote, through scholarship, the post-secondary education of students whose parents/guardians, grandparents or themselves are employees of lants who are members of the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors. Previous recipients of a scholarship will not be eligible, but previous applicants are welcome to reapply.
CRITERIA: Selection of recipient will be based upon the student’s scholarship ability, leadership and community service.
SELECTION: Applications must be mailed by March 1, 2023, to the WAMP office and will be forwarded to an independent scholarship committee who will select the top applicants as recipients.
AMOUNT: One – $2000 scholarship and four – $2500 will be awarded this year. The scholarship payment will be made upon proof of enrollment, tuition payment receipt, and completion of one semester of post-secondary education. If a recipient is already in college and has completed at least one semester and enrolled for a second semester, they are eligible for the scholarship payment right away.
Initial qualifying criteria includes:
Student must intend on continuing their education following high school graduation at an accredited college, technical college, business college, nursing school or junior college.
Attach a resume.
Attach transcripts of their classes taken in high school or college.
Attach two letters of recommendation.
Recipients have to be present at the Annual Conference Banquet, or have a plant representative present to receive this award.
If the following criteria are not included in your resume, you must address them on a separate sheet of paper to be eligible for the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors Scholarship.
List the school you are attending or plan to attend.
Briefly explain your career objectives or goals.
1. List and discuss all school and community leadership positions and years of participation.
2. List and discuss all extra curricular activities and the number of years of participation.
3. List and discuss all honors and awards.
4. List and discuss all work experiences.
5. Explain what you feel is the importance of post-secondary education in the your chosen field.
6. Explain how you feel the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors is important to the meat industry.
Please include a cover page to include: Applicant’s first, middle, and last name with date of birth, applicant’s permanent address and phone number, father’s full name and occupation, mother’s full name and occupation, WAMP plant sponsor name and address, signature of applicant, signature of parent/guardian, WAMP plant owner signature.
No applications postmarked after March 1, 2023, will be considered.
Send completed applications to:
Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors
PO Box 25
Pearl City, IL 61062
(608) 636-0639
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery program is happy to announce our Wisconsin Meat Processing School
The Wisconsin Meat Processing School will be held March 21-23, 2023, and 50 registration spots are now available HERE
About the Wisconsin Meat Processing School:
This short course takes a comprehensive approach to understanding general meat processing. Participants will learn the practical science and art of sausage-making & meat curing from a team of university instructors, supplier specialists, and award-winning “wurstmachers.” Instructors will teach the principles of meat processing at a basic and applied level, and information is aimed at operators who have small to moderate amounts of meat curing and sausage-making experience.
To facilitate a stronger understanding of topics discussed, manufacturing demonstrations on fresh, cooked, emulsified, and semi-dry sausages as well are ham and bacon products will occur in the state-of-the-art Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery building to reinforce important concepts discussed in the classroom. Processors from every level of experience can benefit from this program with content focused on those interested in, or currently involved in, the meat snack industry.
Topics Covered:
• Basic meat science
• Non-meat ingredients
• Sausage casings
• Overview of fresh sausage (including a manufacturing demonstration)
• Overview of emulsified sausage (including a manufacturing demonstration)
• Overview of cooked sausage (including a manufacturing demonstration)
• Overview of dry and semi-dry sausage (including a manufacturing demonstration)
• Meat microbiology and product shelf life
• Pathogens of concern and effective control methods
• Cooking and smoking
• Meat plant sanitation
• Ham and bacon processing (including a manufacturing demonstration)
• Artisanal meat processing
The registration fee for the Wisconsin Meat Processing School is $500.00 per person. After February 28th, 2023, the fee will be $575.00. Registration will close March 7th, 2023. The fee includes course materials & & handouts, breaks & lunches, refreshments, a Tuesday evening reception, and local transportation between the DoubleTree hotel and the MSABD building. Lodging, parking, and other meals are not included. Participants that reside in Wisconsin can request tuition reimbursement through DATCP’s Meat Talent Development Program during check-in at the event. Tuition reimbursement is limited to two participants per meat establishment and if funding is available, a third participant from the same establishment may also qualify for reimbursement.
Enrollment in this short course is limited to 50 registration spots to ensure every participant has an excellent opportunity to learn and have their questions answered.
For more information and questions regarding the Meat Snacks Short Course, please visit the event page or contract Colleen Crummy at 608-279-7669 or [email protected]
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery program is happy to announce our Meat Snacks Short Course!
The Meat Snacks Short Course will be held February 7-9, 2023, and 50 registration spots are now available HERE
This short course takes a comprehensive approach to understanding meat snacks, focusing on jerky, bars, and snack sticks. Participants will learn about the science, safety, and production behind this category of products from a group of nationally and internationally recognized authorities in their fields.
To facilitate a stronger understanding of topics discussed, laboratory demonstrations will be held in the state-of-the-art Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery building to reinforce important concepts discussed in the classroom. Processors from every level of experience can benefit from this program with content focused on those interested in, or currently involved in, the meat snack industry.
Topics Covered:
The registration fee is $1200 per person and includes course materials and handouts, breaks and lunches, refreshments, Tuesday evening reception, and local transportation between the Double Tree by Hilton Madison and the MSABD building. Lodging, parking, and other meals are not included.
Enrollment in this short course is limited to 50 registration spots to ensure every participant has an excellent opportunity to learn and have their questions answered.
For more information and questions regarding the Meat Snacks Short Course, please visit the event page or contact Colleen Crummy at 608-279-7669 or [email protected]
Additional MSABD ClassesBeyond the Meat Snacks Short Course, we also offer a number of other MSABD short courses and workshops throughout the year. Please click HERE to see our current lineup of classes, and stay tuned for more events as the months move along!
